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Food festival
helps schools

Taste at Kapolei When: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday Place: Ko Olina Resort, fourth lagoon Tickets: $60 advance; $75 at door. Available at Chevron Kapolei or Kunia 76. Call: 275-3010 or tasteatkapolei.com

Besides the matter of food -- important as that is -- this weekend's Taste at Kapolei has a major overriding value -- it raises money for Leeward Oahu schools. Since 2000, the Rotary Club of Kapolei has brought in $350,000 through the event.

Buy a ticket and you'll be a part of that, plus you'll eat well. More than 20 restaurants participate, including Don Ho's Island Grill, which was convenient as I have an outstanding request for a Don Ho's dish -- from a Linda B, who says she can't live without Don Ho's Kalua Quesadilla. We can't have people dropping dead for lack of a recipe, so here it is.

The key to this dish is the barbecue sauce, and the key to that is puréed guava. If you can't get fresh guavas, try Hans Weiler Foods (847-2210) for purée by the quart.

Kalua Quesadilla

4 12-inch flour tortillas
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded prepared kalua pork
1 cup Thai sweet chili sauce (see notes)
» Guava BBQ Sauce:
1/2 cup guava purée
1 clove garlic
1/2-inch piece ginger, peeled
5 to 10 cilantro leaves
3 to 4 mint leaves
1/2 cup sweet barbecue sauce (see notes)
» Topping:
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
4 teaspoons lime juice

To make sauce: Place all ingredients in blender and blend on high about 30 seconds, until smooth.

Spread half of each tortilla with sauce. Top with cheeses, then kalua pork and sweet chili sauce. Fold in half, into a half-circle

Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Fry quesadillas until crisp.

To make topping: Combine ingredients. Stir vigorously until fluffy. Serves 8.

Approximate nutrient analysis, per serving: 570 calories, 27 g total fat, 14 g saturated fat, 75 mg cholesterol, 1,660 mg sodium, 62 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 24 g sugar, 24 g protein.

Notes: Thai sweet chili sauce is sold in bottles in the Asian section of most supermarkets. For the sweet barbecue sauce, use any commercial brand.