Saturday morning. Saturday has always been my favorite day of the week. When I was younger it was the day of no school (and no school the next day to worry about!) and when I grew up (term used loosely) it was the day off of work, home with my kids, and no work or school the next day. Now I still like Saturdays. They have become the day that Al and I usually go out for a while in the late afternoon to a movie or for appetizers, or to some other adventure. I like that we take the time to connect when even now with me at home, we still are busy running in different directions during the week.
This past Tuesday our book club met for the review of The Life We Bury. There are many things I adore about our book club and the little extras we do really make me smile. With the protagonist being from Austin Minnesota, the home of SPAM, we had some fun. Here are a couple of recipes that you could use when you read the book, or just because you are fascinated with meat in a can like I am. 🙂 I am posting these recipes for weekend cooking.
SPLIDERS (SPAM Sliders)
You will need:
a package of Hawaiian rolls
a can of SPAM
a package of Swiss Cheese slices
butter
onion
a tasty mustard
Set over temp to 350 degrees. Open up each Hawaiian roll and lightly butter. Slice SPAM into 1/4 inch slices and place one slice on each roll. slice in half of fourths (depending on your cheese size) the Swiss cheese and place a slice on each roll on the spam. Add a little slice of onion, optional. Place all rolls in a 13 x 9 cake pan and place in oven until cheese is melted and sandwich is hot to the touch – 7 to 10 minutes. Serve hot with the mustard or mayo. Great for a movie night or any gathering.
I personally was surprised that I liked these. I have SPAM memories as a kid and I think that was the last time I ate it. SPAM today is not like SPAM was then, the jelly coating I remember around the meat that grossed me out is no longer there. The sandwiches were actually tasty and if I had not known it was SPAM I don’t think I would have guessed.
Cheesy Baby Reds (as found on the SPAM website)
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce can SPAM® Classic, diced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 12 ounces whipped pimento spread
- 24 baby red potatoes, cut in half
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives, for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Preheat oven to 400°F. In large skillet, in butter, heat the SPAM® Classic until lightly browned. Drain well.
- Whip the pimento cheese spread in a blender until smooth. Place pimento cheese spread in a large bowl. Add the SPAM® Classic (reserve about 1/3 for garnish) and diced red bell pepper.
- Thoroughly wash and clean the potatoes. Cut in half and scoop out the center of each with a spoon or Parisian scoop. Mix the olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Coat the potato halves with the mixture and place on a baking sheet, cut side down. Bake at 400°F for about 25 minutes or until soft when pierced with a knife.
- Remove from oven and fill center with the SPAMento™ cheese mixture. Garnish the filled potatoes with the reserves SPAM® Classic, chives and a dusting of cayenne pepper, if desired. Serve immediately. Makes 48.
These were so good and I would totally make these!
As for a little Saturday Snapshot, I thought I would add a picture of our dogs this past week. Bailey(the white one) is 18 years old. Really, the miracle dog. A couple of years ago he started having seizures and then after a month they went away and we did not see him have another one until last month. It is horrible to see, but remarkably he comes out of them and goes on like nothing happened. The vet says he is not suffering in any way, he is not in pain and lives for his age a healthy lifestyle. Sammy ( the black one) has just recently taken to hanging out with Bailey a bit more. This was a cute picture of sleeping close together. Almost like Sammy is protecting him or being supportive.
Book Journey 
I had no idea Spam is from Minnesota.
Our dog had seizures when she was older and, you’re right, they’re horrible to see.
Have a fun Saturday!
I didn’t realize Spam was from Minnesota either. Since I’m from Hawaii (where 40% of the nation’s Spam is consumed), it’s a given favorite. I like to use it in fried rice and of course there’s the famous Spam Musubi, which everyone loves. Thanks for the recipes and cute doggie photos. 🙂
Wow, I didn’t realize the history of Spam, either, although I have fond memories of eating it as a kid…lol.
Cute dog!
I haven’t had spam in years. I always enjoyed it. It looks like I should give it another try. Your photo of your dogs is adorable. I’m sorry to hear Bailey’s seizures returned. It looks like Sammy is protecting him. Enjoy your weekend!
Saturdays are my favorite days for all the reasons you’ve mentioned. 🙂 Lol to the spam recipes! I’ve made the sandwhich one (which my husband loves) but I use honey ham and not spam.
And your dogs are precious!
Fun! It always amazes me to go into the grocery stores here in Hawaii and see the huge quantity of Spam spread out on the shelves and how many different kinds there are now. I just remember the classic one growing up and don’t have great memories of it. (Did not like that jelly!) 😉 I had no idea it was from Minnesota either.
Hummm, I guess I’d have to give it a try to believe that Spam could be tasty …. I’m just not convinced. LOL. But I love the photo of your furry friends.
I haven’t had spam for decades! CHeers
I loved what you wrote in your first paragraph. You made me think about all the past Saturdays plus the current ones. It is a special day.
Your spammy celebration at book club sounds like fun. The potatoes stuffed with spam actually sounds really good. Now you have me putting spam on my grocery list!
I love Saturdays, too! Your Saturday Snapshot is beyond adorable! 🙂
Sweet of Sammy to be so protective. I have not had Spam in many a year; nice idea to give it a try.
Love your Sat Snapshots of your furbabies. We have a 15 yo Shih Tzu and she too is doing well.
Aw poor Bailey. Glad it isn’t hurting him 🙂
I didn’t experience Spam until I married my husband. His family loved what they called Spammies – ground Spam, cheese and onion on a roll and then baked. I guess they were ok but not a tradition I continued, lol.
I hope Bailey is ok. Bet he loves having Sammy nearby.
I’d be willing to try Spam again. Maybe crisped up it would be more appealing, like kielbasa. It’s been a long time since I had it! Your gung-ho book group is the envy of us all!
This makes me smile, my siblings and I are always teasing my Dad about his love of Spam.
What cute dogs! How old is the younger one?