Apparently, my gmail account posts a link to something it thinks I might be interested in. Like Spam Swiss Pie. Do I even dare look at the recipe? Spam, in my experience, is the brunt of a Monty Python skit. “Spam Spam and more Spam….” and it goes on and on. It’s also on a bunch of thrift store t-shirts that take something really odd or totally random and make it cool by, well, putting it on a t-shirt. Isn’t Spam one of those wonders of the mid-20th Century when Americans decided it was a good thing to synthetically produce everything in a lab? Spam and Nylon, and Polyester. Yes, I would put them all in the same category. Though I find polyester more useful than spam, and nylon infinitely more useful than them both.
And now, I must ask the question: Why is junk email called spam? Does it have anything to do with Spam? There is probably an actual answer to that question, so I will just wait patiently for a computer-nerd friend to answer.
Back to Spam. I have nothing against other forms of processed foods. I enjoy Velveeta immensely in Rotel dip and on broccoli. I have been known to scarf down my share of hot dogs. And who knows how many Vienna Sausages I ate as a kid! But, Spam? It’s pink, bright pink. It stays in the same shape as the can. Much like dog food, or cranberry sauce, neither of which make it onto my weekly menu. I know my Grandma had some at some point, but I think the same can sat in the pantry for at least 3 years. Ironically, it was probably still good.
I often use the Kraft Foods recipe database as a starting place for meal planning. I have found some excellent recipes there, and I’ve found some stinkers. But, as Kraft owns half the world, and of course promote their own products as “necessary” ingredients for the recipes, Spam has been enjoying a mini-revival. At least I suppose, I’m not sure if anyone has actually made the recipes with Spam. Speaking of Spam recipes, who is willing to try this one? Not I, said the blogger.
One deep dish pie crust
6 eggs
1 cup whipping cream
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 can Spam Luncheon Meat, cubed
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided
Heat oven to 425'F. Bake pie shell 6-8 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350'F. In bowl, beat together eggs, whipping cream, and pepper. Stir in SPAM and onion. Sprinkle 1 cup cheese in pie shell. Pour egg mixture over cheese. Sprinkle remaining cheese over egg. Bake 45-55 minutes or until eggs are set.
Interestingly enough, my current boss (John Williams), was for a number of years the product manager for SPAM. It’s made my Hormel and the word stands for Spiced Ham. Learn all about it at http://www.spam.com. Also, your Grandpa Bradford was a big fan of SPAM and would slice it thin and fry it in a skillet. He’d serve it on white bread with mustard and eat with Fritos. I like it, too. In fact, I may stop and get a can on the way home.