Credit: Getty Images
St. Patrick’s Day used to mean corned beef and cabbage in my house. But now that I have a two-year-old who wakes up hungry before I’ve had coffee, I plan to start celebrating earlier in the day. My toddler, Jack, happens to love two things with unwavering devotion: eggs and Spam. So this year, I’m introducing him to a breakfast inspired by one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books—green eggs and ham, with a Spam twist.
The Magic of Green Eggs and Spam
Credit: Hormel Foods
Since 1960, “Green Eggs and Ham” has introduced generations of kids to the idea of trying something new. As Sam-I-Am cheerfully urges his grumpy, reluctant friend to give those green eggs a chance—on a boat, with a goat, and other imaginative places—parents and teachers across the country began tinting scrambled eggs with food dye to bring the story to life. I fondly remember devouring a plate of verdant eggs and slices of ham as my first grade teacher read the book aloud.
This recipe from Spam’s website takes a slightly more grown-up approach. Instead of food coloring, a simple pesto made from spinach and parsley blended with olive oil and Parmesan gives eggs their bright emerald hue—and an herby, cheesy upgrade. Paired with perfectly crisped slices of Spam—the breakfast protein of choice in my household—it’s festive without being fussy and playful enough to feel like a page from Dr. Seuss.
To make it, start by crisping the Spam slices in a skillet until golden and lightly caramelized. While they sizzle, blend spinach, parsley, and Parmesan, then drizzle in olive oil to create a vibrant, pesto-like mixture. Whisk a few spoonfuls into beaten eggs with a pinch of salt, then gently scramble in butter until fluffy and just set.
Green Eggs and Spam Recipe
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes
Ingredients
1 (12-ounce) can Spam Classic, sliced
1 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
2 cups packed baby spinach
3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, cook Spam slices 3 to 5 minutes or until browned.
In the bowl of your food processor place spinach, parsley and cheese. Process until very finely chopped. With the processor running, drizzle in olive oil. Process 30 seconds to 1 minute or until oil is green and mixture is thoroughly puréed.
Add salt to beaten eggs. Stir in 1/4 cup spinach mixture. Reserve remaining spinach mixture for future use.
In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add eggs. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes stirring with a rubber spatula, until eggs are cooked to desired doneness. Serve green eggs with Spam slices.
Tips, Tricks, and Variations
Mix up the meat. Jack loves Spam, but you can absolutely serve your green eggs the way Dr. Seuss intended—with classic ham. Bacon, sausage, or any favorite breakfast protein works just as well.
Choose your own greens. Parsley isn’t for everyone—I’m planning to swap in fresh basil next time. You can also keep it simple and use about 3 cups of spinach, skipping the herbs altogether for a milder flavor.
Freeze the extra. The leftover spinach-parsley pesto freezes beautifully. Spoon it into ice cube trays and stash it away for easy flavor boosts: Toss a cube into pasta, stir it into soups like minestrone, or spread it on toast.
Short on time? Store-bought pesto will give you a similar green hue with even less effort. It may include extras like garlic or lemon, but it works perfectly if you want to skip blending your own.
Read the original article on Allrecipes
Dining and Cooking