Spam ™ Surpasses Filet Mignon as Romantic Dinner Fare

by

MaryAnna Donovan

And no, I am not kidding you, dear reader.
This is serious business!

As you know, we have gotten ourselves into a bit of an economic dilemma these days, and for those of you in the dating game, the dilemma becomes even more challenging: how do you finance your dating efforts?

Now before I get into the “meat of the matter,” so to speak, let me tell you that during these tough times, the dating business is booming.
Online dating sites are seeing record numbers of new subscribers, and singles everywhere are feeling that they want to share the crunch with another warm body.

But with the prices of everything entertainment-wise skyrocketing, what’s a dater to do?
Cut back on expenses and substitute, substitute, substitute.

Take SPAM ™

Hornell Food Corporation’s SPAM™ has taken on a new life in the midst of the recession.
SPAM™ has had a history of playing center on America’s dinner table in times of war and economic crisis.
And guess what?
It’s back to its position on our tables again.

“Spam, a gelatinous 12-ounce rectangle of spiced ham and pork, may be among the world’s most maligned foods, dismissed as inedible by food elites and skewered by comedians who have offered smart-alecky theories on its name (one G-rated example: Something Posing As Meat),” says Andrew Martin in a November 15, 2008 article in the New York Times.

Here’s the deal: as you know, meat prices are going up big time.
Even our all-American chopped meat is becoming a gourmet product as measured by its price, anyway.
So suddenly, as we cruise the supermarket aisles deciding on a home-cooked date menu, we see this can of stuff we’ve otherwise never even seen before, and we see it is meat-based, and we see it is just $2.40 (or close to) for a 12-ounce can. Hmmm, worth investigating.

And so we do.
We stir our creative juices along with the SPAM™, and we’re onto a yummy, cost-effective way to eat our way through the recession.

In celebration of SPAM™, I took a side trip to the SPAM™ recipe site and I present a few to tantalize you.
To search out more (tons), take a trip yourself to www.spam.com

SPAMIGO Green Chili Stew

Serves 8 30 minutes Moderate

In large saucepan, combine the tomatillos, 6 jars diced green chilies, 2 chopped jalapenos, onion, bell pepper, garlic, bouillon, water, celery salt and ground cumin. Bring mixture to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered for about 30 minutes or until tomatillos are tender.
Cool mixture slightly.
Pour stew into blender or work bowl of food processor.
Blend or process until ingredients are smooth.
Return green chili mixture to large saucepan.
Add SPAM®, corn, potatoes and the remaining green chilies and diced jalapeno. Heat mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are cooked through, about 10-15 minutes.
Ladle stew into bowls and garnish, as desired.
Makes about 10 cups.

Richard Mikesell, 1998 Grand Prize Winner

Ingredients

• 
  
  
  

  • 10 medium tomatillos (about 3/4 pound), husks removed, rinsed and chopped

  
  

  • 7 (4.25-ounce) jars CHI-CHI'S® Diced Green Chilies, divided

  
  

  • 3 jalapeno peppers, seeded, diced and divided

  
  

  • 1 chopped large onion

  
  

  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced

  
  

  • 2 chopped garlic cloves

  
  

  • 4 HERB-OX® Vegetable Flavored Bouillon or chicken bouillon cubes

  
  

  • 3 1/2 cups water

  
  

  • 1 teaspoon celery salt

  
  

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

  
  

  • 1 (12-ounce) can SPAM® Classic, diced

  
  

  • 1 (7-ounce) can whole kernel corn

  
  

  • 1 cup diced hash-brown potatoes, thawed, or 1 cup diced cooked potatoes

  
  
  
  

SPAM Hawaiian Pizza

Serves 8 15 minutes Easy

Heat oven to 425°F. Grease 14-inch pizza pan or 13x9-inch baking pan.
Unroll dough; press in prepared pan.
Top with cheese.
Arrange remaining ingredients over cheese.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown.

Ingredients

• 
  
  
  

  • 1 (10-ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust

  
  

  • 1 (6-ounce) package sliced provolone cheese

  
  

  • 1 (12-ounce) can SPAM® Classic, cut in thin squares

  
  

  • 1 (16-ounce) can chunk pineapple, drained

  
  

  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion

  
  

  • 1/2 cup chopped green pepper

  
  
  
  

Creamy SPAM Broccoli Casserole

Serves 8 15 minutes Easy

Heat oven to 350°F.
Spray 2-quart casserole with vegetable cooking spray.
Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain.
In casserole, combine macaroni, broccoli, SPAM® and red pepper.
In small saucepan, stir together milk, cornstarch and black pepper until cornstarch is dissolved.
ring to a boil, stirring constantly, until thickened.
Reduce heat to low.
Add cheese; stir until melted.
Stir sauce into SPAM™ mixture.
Combine breadcrumbs and margarine; sprinkle on top of casserole.
Bake 40 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Ingredients

• 
  
  
  

  • 1 (7-ounce) package elbow macaroni

  
  

  • 2 cups frozen cut broccoli, thawed and drained

  
  

  • 1 (12-ounce) can SPAM® Classic, cubed

  
  

  • 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

  
  

  • 2 cups skim milk

  
  

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  
  

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  
  

  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded fat-free Cheddar cheese

  
  

  • 3/4 cup soft breadcrumbs

  
  

  • 2 teaspoons margarine, melted

  
  
  
  

French Fry SPAM Casserole

Serves 8 15 minutes Easy

Heat oven to 350°F.
In large bowl, combine potatoes, cheese, sour cream and soup.
Stir in SPAM®, bell pepper and green onions.
Spoon into 13- x 9-inch baking pan.
Sprinkle with cornflakes.
Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Ingredients

• 
  
  
  

  • 1 (20-ounce) bag frozen french fry potatoes, thawed

  
  

  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese

  
  

  • 2 cups sour cream

  
  

  • 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of chicken soup

  
  

  • 1 (12-ounce) can SPAM® Classic, cubed

  
  

  • 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

  
  

  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions

  
  

  • 1/2 cup finely crushed cornflakes

  
  
  
  

Baked SPAM Classic and Noodles

30 minutes Easy

Heat oven to 375°F.
Lightly butter a 1 1/2-baking dish.
Break up noodles slightly.
Cook according to package directions; drain.
Combine hot noodles, SPAM®, and butter in baking dish; stir to melt butter and mix well.
Stir together the milk, egg, and pepper; pour evenly over top.
Bake in oven 40 minutes or until mixture is hot and lightly browned.

Ingredients

• 
  
  
  

  • 8 ounces wide egg noodles

  
  

  • 1 can (12-ounce) SPAM® Classic, diced

  
  

  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

  
  

  • 1/2 cup milk

  
  

  • 1 egg

  
  

  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

  
  
  
  

So, my friends, there are a few recipes to lighten your load in grocery shopping and meal preparation.
Do enjoy, and I look forward to my invitation!

All recipes courtesy Hormel Foods Sales, LLC