Micronesian Kool-Aid mix recipe

And links to other interesting things

For the 10% of you subscribed to the newsletter who aren't familiar with Kool-Aid mixes (Shout out to you!🤎) that are popular among Micronesians, here's a recipe to try.¹

I remember going to Palau in 2010 and at the gas station, they had a table that had all of the fixings you needed to make your own Kool-Aid mix. Genius. Because I always make it too salty, I turned to my oldest brother Spencer for help.

Your recipe card for your new favorite snack

I tried measuring and here’s what I came up with

1/2 + 1/8 tsp ajinomoto

1 packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid

1/2 tsp salt

8-10 drops of Tobasco

In the event you cannot get your hands on Ajinomoto aka MSG,² an alternative recipe I sourced from my cousin/neice:³ Sinigang mix+ Kool-Aid. This is simpler, almost like a Kool-Aid mix on training wheels.

Pair your mix with an unripe mango or guava. To really get your mouth puckering, grab some pickles and go to town.⁴⁵

NOW SOME THINGS TO READ

Did you hear about the guy accused of threatening the FSM President David Panuelo on Facebook? He was arrested, with the help of the FBI.

People who have to work during the Great Resignation are not doing well.

In Guam, there's a local program that would provide qualified residents with $800 relief checks. It's been in the works and on Sept. 1, the tax agency here opened its doors for paper and online applications. Shawn Gumataotao in his podcast explains the issue here.

Basically, it was a big mess. ⁶

Lately, the Guam Daily Post editorials have been absolute bangers. 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾 Here's their absolutely correct take on the relief check debacle.

Poking around Reddit this week, I came across this story of FSM President Panuelo speaking highly of China.

It's tough to read about the devastation Ida's been causing in the states. We've had our share of big storms out here in the islands. Hoping for a smooth recovery for you statesiders.

This group is helping our Polynesian brothers and sisters improve their health, prioritizing local foods. Pacific Island Food Revolution is using reality TV, radio, and social media to change Pacific Islanders' eating habits.

Need something to root for? The Chapkidz competing on America's Got Talent has a member from Guam. The PDN has the details.

Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful weekend and I’ll write again soon.

Cheers,
Jasmine

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1. I've had Kool-Aid on the brain since writing about Nina Edwards's small business Guuumiez:

Nina Edwards’ mouthwatering gummies inspired by islander cravings

2. Is MSG still bad? I'm pretty sure it's legal, right?

3. Technically she is my niece but she is closer to my age so I view her really as my cousin. When people ask me for specific family relationships I can only offer a sputtering, disjointed family history based on who I remember seeing at weddings, rosaries, or Thanksgiving parties. Essentially if you grew up with my three oldest siblings you're my kind of like my uncle or aunt but not really because at the family gatherings you were already drinking beer and not interested in playing freeze tag with us but you also weren't my parents' age and were not talking story with the mechas (old women) and rubak (old men). If you are around my age or my third brother's age, we are cousins. Now as I am a mechas, I never go to family gatherings so I'm not sure of the hierarchy these days. #islanderguilt

4. I understand Mississippians have a version of Kool-Aid pickles involving sugar. Intriguing.

5. ALSO DO NOT EAT TOO MUCH OF THIS. My cousin had a cousin who had her kidneys removed or something because of eating too much Kool-Aid. (I think?) I’m pretty sure the sodium content in this is legal overdose. But try it. And share it. But don’t eat it all the time.

6. The website crashed. A disabled veteran lined up in his car 12 hours before the application process opened in order to ensure he would get his paper application in. There was traffic and congestion in the area. The big rush and the crowds were brought on because the government has been saying "There's only $30 million and we're issuing it out on a first-come, first-served basis." This led to initial chaos on application day which later subsided.