Have you had this dinner?

Last Sunday evening, ready for it..


Some call it Hawaiian Haystacks.
Others, like us, call it Chinese Sundaes.

This is what I like about this dinner:

1. It works well in groups because everyone can make it just the way they like it.


2. Toppings can vary. Usually the more people I serve, the more toppings I put out. Last Sunday we had: diced celery, shredded carrots, peas, coconut, bacon bits, raisins, onion, olives, pineapple, and Chinese noodles. 


3. I can cook the chicken the night before (although I usually just de-bone a Costco rotisserie one) , and cut up the toppings. Next day I just have to heat up the 'gravy', cook the rice, add some rolls and we are good to go. 

Austin making his masterpiece.

4. My grandchildren seem to love this, and some request it. I think our adult kids like this. One tolerates it.  But even he was happier when I added bacon to the selection.

5. Serving this always brings back good memories. My niece Robin would often request this when she would come to visit us. The day she called with the devastating news that her 2nd transplant did not work, and that she would be coming to Clovis one last time, she also said to me, "I want Chinese Sundaes."  

So that's what I made for her. 
But sorry, this picture only shows the dessert we had afterwards. 


So what do you call it, Chinese Sundaes or Hawaiian Haystacks? 
And do you include toppings we don't?

24 comments:

Eileen said...

I have never had this, nor have I ever heard of Chinese Sundaes or Hawaiian Haystacks, but I like the idea of Chinese Sundaes! I think this is wonderful and I'm going to try it this weekend when the family comes over.
It's seems quick and easy, and a great way to serve a crowd!
Jill, you have the best ideas!

Sweet memory of your niece Robin to leave you with. Beautiful.
Love,
Eileen

Susan Anderson said...

Yep, I've had this had a friend's house a couple of times. I think they do them a lot. And they call them Hawaiian Haystacks.

Yummy!

=)

Scrapally said...

We love Hawaiian Haystacks...my daughter requests that for her birthday dinner ever year! Haven't tried the bacon, I like that idea. We also do chopped up tomatoes and sliced mushrooms...It is a great crowd pleaser!

grandmapeg said...

Around here we call it Hawaiian Haystacks, and thanks for reminding me how much I like these! I haven't had these for a very long time so I am going to attempt to fix this very soon. I've only had it at ward parties. How do you make your "gravy" and what's in it? Thanks for another great idea!

Unknown said...

Hawaiian Haystacks, and I like shredded cabbage too !! And the short grain brown rice you can get at whole foods is awesome with this !! Thanks for sharing !!

the Rich girl said...

I love Hawaiian Haystacks, though I'd never heard of them until my freshman year of college.

Tyler LOVES Chinese Sundaes. He requests them fairly frequently.

My only problem is that I can never think of toppings to serve. I think we usually have celery, green onions, onions, coconut, olives, Chinese noodles, green peppers, and sometimes pineapple. (Along with the chicken and gravy.)

Grandma Honey said...

Eileen~~ Interesting. I guess this is a west coast meal. I think you are the only one I know who has not heard of this. But then I don't know very many people who live back east.

Scrapally~~ Oh yes, mushrooms would be great in this. I love them on anything though.

GrandmaPeg~~ I don't put any 'gravy' on mine. But I think everyone else does. It's just 2 cans of Cr of Mushroom, 1 can Cr of Chicken, and 1 can of milk. But if you want to stay away from the creamed soups you could really use any kind of gravy you want.

Robin~~ Shredded cabbage...oh yes!! I would have never thought of that.

Karen~~ Funny how you and Tyler call it 2 different names :) And since you had never heard of them till you got to BYU, sounds like this recipe doesn't go all the way to Texas!

Nate and Julie said...

We have always called them Hawaiian Haystacks, but I think I like Chinese Sundaes better! You had all of our favorite toppings. I've never done bacon bits, but you can't go wrong with bacon!

Mary said...

I like to add nuts to my Hawaiian Haystacks, either slivered almonds or chopped cashews. I also prefer diced green onion over other types of onion. Your post made me hungry!

Grandma Honey said...

Julie~~ It's funny how you can be a Rozier and call them something else. Grandma always called them Chinese Sundaes. :)

Mary~~ I'll have to remember the addition of nuts. I like that! I also prefer green onions but ever since that e coli scare I stick with the red onions.

Karen Mortensen said...

I don't call them anything because I have never had them. I guess I have been depribed. I will have to try it sometime.

Darlene said...

Wow! Does this ever sound good,although I will have to admit that I have never heard of either names. How could I get to my ripe old age without ever having heard of Chinese Sundaes or Hawaiian Haystacks? I am going to make it though, and soon, as I have a whole big chicken in the freezer that I need to use. What a great way to do that!! Thanks.

Eileen said...

Hi, Jill, I just popped in to say that we went food shopping last night (we usually do our big food shopping on Saturday mornings but we're expecting a big snow storm again today so we thought it best to get it done), and I got all the ingredients for Chinese Sundaes so I'll let you know how it goes over. I think it's going to be a big hit!
Thanks again!
Love to you,
Eileen

Richard said...

Correction: Our mother always called them Hawaiian Haystacks, not the other less appetizing sounding one.

Grandmotherfairy said...

I have never eaten Hawaiian Haystacks...but I have heard of them...liiks like I have a new dinner to try when the family is together On Sunday....love the paper plates!!!!

Grandma Honey said...

Richard~~ Not to me she didn't.

Eileen~~ Come back and let me know how you like them, okay? My favorite part is topping it off with crushed pineapple and coconut. I think Jayden and Mia will love these.

Grandma Honey said...

Grandmother Fairy~~ The paper plates are all because of you! You are so right in that they REALLY do make a difference in clean up. I just run the dishwasher once now, rather than twice the evening I have the family over.

nrozier said...

I have never been a big fan of Hawaiian Haystacks, but as an adult I appreciate them for the nostalgia factor. I remember Grandma Gaynor babysitting for us when I was in high school and making this for dinner. I'm with my dad in that I never heard her refer to it a Chinese Sundae--I had never even heard that term until I read your blog. To add to the confusion, I'm pretty sure we grew up calling it "Chinese Haystacks."

Dad and Susan said...

Yummy! One of my favorite meals. You dad's too. Love, Dad and Susan

Ammy said...

I love these. We call them Hawaiian Haystacks. John loves them too but had never heard of them until he went to one of my family gatherings. We used to have them a lot. And we use all of the same toppings you do...I love the name Chinese Sundaes A LOT! We just may have to change the name of them.

cristie said...

for some reason i never think to make this and i like it a lot. next time i have a crowd...which will be fairly soon and i don't even know the occasion yet...i will give it a go.
the sauce is just soup?

thanks. xox

Lisa said...

Can't say I've ever had these so can't give any feedback but I do love that photo of Robin. She sure is BEAUTIFUL. Her smile lights up a whole room! I love you Jill for so many reasons.

Krista Gage said...

We call them Hawaiian Hay Stacks. Dives Kaipo crazy. She says there is nothing Hawaiian about them. We love them!

Seeing that pic of Robin.... I got a call about 1 1/2 weeks ago saying that I am a possible donor match for a 33 male with leukemia. Back in 1999 I registered at a blood drive to go on the data base. Both Robin and this man that I don't know are my age. I hope we are a match and it takes. I had more blood drawn last Tues. I don't know how long it will take before they let me know.
Anyway, thanks for sharing that pic. I am grateful. enough said.

kelly said...

I just made them a few days ago! We call them Hawaiian Haystacks here. The must haves for me, grated sharp cheddar, coconut, pineapple tidbits, black olives (green are yummy too)and almond slivers. Oh yes, green onions too, but you HAVE to have cheese and coconut, have to.

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