THE ELECTRIC KITCHEN

HECO
Papaya segments are filled with colored gelatin.

Papaya in
prime time

"The Electric Kitchen" airing through the second half of April features papaya recipes demonstrated by guest chef Betty Jo Thompson of the Hawaii Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

"Electric Kitchen" airs at 9:30 a.m. Sundays, 8:30 p.m. Mondays, 5 p.m. Tuesdays and 6 p.m. Thursdays on Oceanic Cable Channel 16. It also airs on Maui at 8:30 p.m. Thursdays on Calabash Channel 44 (52 in Lahaina) and on the Big Island at 5 p.m. Mondays and 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays on Na Leo o Hawaii Channel 2 in Hilo and 14 in Kona.

Here are a few of Thompson's recipes. All the recipes from the show, as well as an archive of recipes dating to 1995, are available at the Hawaiian Electric Co. Web site, www.heco.com.

Green Papaya Salad

1 to 2 very green papayas, pared and seeded
1 clove garlic
2 or 3 Hawaiian red chili peppers, seeded
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce
1 large tomato, slivered
Lettuce or small cabbage leaves
Condiments: Finely chopped peanuts, shrimp flakes mixed with a little sugar, lime wedges

In a food processor, coarsely shred papayas. Process or blend garlic, red peppers, lime juice and fish sauce. Combine papaya, garlic mixture and tomato.

To serve, place a portion of the mixture on a lettuce or cabbage leaf; fold into a packet. Serve with your choice of condiments. Serves 4 to 6.

Gelatin-Filled Papayas

2 small- to medium-size firm, ripe papayas
1 3-ounce package flavored gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup lime or lemon juice
1/4 cup ice water

Cut off stem ends of papayas to expose seeds. Carefully remove seeds with a teaspoon; chill papayas until ready to fill. Combine gelatin and boiling water; stir until dissolved. Add lime juice and ice water; chill until mixture starts to thicken. Pour or spoon gelatin into papayas and chill overnight.

To serve, carefully cut papayas into desired shapes, such as wedges, halves, or slices. Serve as a dessert or salad. Serves 4-6.

Nutritional information unavailable.

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