It's here! Helga's Roasted Stuffed Spam dinner menu at Camp Why-Too-Ka. Use the link here, click on the FREE RECIPES button.http://www.campy2k.com

-- Cindy Lou (CampY2K@aol.com), July 27, 1999

Answers

Cindy Lou, I made a few promises to myself when I started prepping last winter. At the very top of that list were NO dry beans and absolutely NO SPAM. I do believe I'm on my way to breaking that pledge with the purchase of at least one can of spam. (Later I might try this recipe with my endless supply of canned ham, but I'm thoroughly intrigued by Helga's original recipe.) I think some really bizarro but delish recipes made out of the worst that Y2K stockpiling can offer is just the sort of laugh we could enjoy next year at the neighborhood Y2K pot luck suppers! Thanks! (Wouldn't it be a hoot if y2K is the reason I finally learn to cook something other than lasagna?)

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), July 27, 1999.

Thanks, Brooks! I know what you mean. Normally, I can't stand SPAM, and when Helga shoved a plate of her roasted stuffed version at me, I didn't even want to taste it. I did, though, and I couldn't believe it. It didn't even taste like SPAM. It just tasted great! I really think that it's the juices and the flavors from the stuffing that are combining to get rid of that--how shall I phrase this--distinctive taste. Helga tells me that if you are creative and careful enough in choosing your ingredients, SPAM can act sort of like Tofu, in its ability to soak up other flavors. Helga has put together three recipes each for SPAM and canned tuna because she figured a lot of people will be stocking it. For me, she's made a special Corned Beef Hash, because she knows that's what I like. It'll come later. Next though, she's figured out what to do with some of that tuna in her Lake Teotwawki Fish Fry (the secret is mashed potatoes). I'll put that up in a couple of days. Sorry, I've been running behind on my posting duties.

-- Cindy Lou (CampY2K@aol.com), July 27, 1999.

Cindy Lou - I just ordered some canned 'possum from Adventure Foods, and now I need a good recipe for it. Could Helga be coaxed into working on this one (on the outside chance that it really is opossum and not a gag - not that I would know the difference)?

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), July 28, 1999.

Brooks, uh, um...I just spoke to Helga. Helga has never tasted canned opossum, but she is "willing to work with the thought of opossum." Helga is a terrible shot, however, and though I could send Slade out hunting with the camp's air rifle, I don't think he'd catch much. Maybe you better give me the link to Adventure Foods. We'll order a couple of cans and let Helga go to work.

-- Cindy Lou (CampY2K@aol.com), July 28, 1999.

Can I use a ham from my smoke house for the recipe instead of spam?

-- chicken farmer (chicken-farmer@ y2k.farm), July 29, 1999.

Thanks, Cindy Lou! (and Helga, too!) :-)

-- Gayla (privacy@please.com), July 30, 1999.

Spam can be used with beans instead of hot dogs. It can be barbequed and made very tasty. In a pinch it could be very very good!

-- Moore Dinty moore (not@thistime.com), July 30, 1999.

You sure can. I envy you your smokehouse! I wish we had one. There is NOTHING like the taste of home smoked meats.

-- Cindy Lou (CampY2K@aol.com), July 30, 1999.