European Spam Salad Spread
This is my European version of Mom’s Spam Salad. In place of the egg we use tofu and in place of the Spam we use veg hot dogs. Beyond that, we caramelize the fresh veggies for the toothless, and beyond that, we use seasonings and flavorings giving it a European flair! Steve, Lilly Belle and I all love it.
Makes 11 cups
PREPARE PEAS FIRST:
10 oz. bag froz. STEAMFRESH PEAS by BIRDS EYE, microwave according to pkg. instructions; they’ll be hot so we do this first to let them chill before adding to salad – if you use regular frozen peas, thaw thoroughly and don’t cook before using, just be sure to drip water from peas into sink before adding the peas to the recipe, okay?
INGREDIENTS for Caramelized Veggies:
1 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 med.-lg. fresh green pepper, cut into 3/8 inch squares
1 med.-lg. fresh sweet red pepper, cut into 3/8 inch squares
1/2 lb. red onion, peeled and cut into 3/8 inch squares
1/2-1 t. sea salt plus black pepper to taste
2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. dried oregano
INSTRUCT:
1- In extra-large fry pan, over medium-low heat, melt olive oil.
2- Add both peppers plus onion, stirring to coat with oil.
3- Add salt, pepper, garlic and oregano, stirring to evenly distribute.
4- Saute till soft, stirring occasionally. In final stage of cooking, cover and let the steam soften the veggies further, then remove cover and cook to evaporate any liquid in pan. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature, then place in fridge till cool to touch.
INGREDIENTS for Tofu and Hot Dog Mix:
3, 14 oz. blocks vacuum-packed hard tofu, firm – rinse well, then take each block and place in tofu cloth, twisting hard to extract liquid into sink (an old white T-shirt works well)
Place squeezed tofu in extra-large mixing bowl, then fine chop it further with a pastry cutter or large, sturdy fork.
13.5 oz. pkg. JUMBO SMART DOGS by Lightlife, thawed and cut into 1/4-1/2 inch rounds processed in food process till evenly chopped – do not turn to mush, pulse is best and it won’t take long. Place in bowl with tofu.
ADD TO THE MIXING BOWL, stirring throughly to evenly distribute the following:
chilled peas
chilled caramelized veggies
3 t. sea salt
2 t. garlic powder
2 t. dried basil
1 t. dried oregano
1/2 t. black pepper
1/4 t. red cayenne pepper
1/2 c. pitted Kalamata olives, crushed, then chopped
NOW ADD:
1-1/2 c. veg mayo – I used Vegenaise
1/2 c. Spicy Brown Mustard
2 T. olive liquid from jar
2 T. bottled lime juice by Nellie and Joe’s
MIX. MIX. MIX.
Adjust for seasoning, then pack in covered containers and refrigerate till cold and ready to serve.
Notes: Serve as a salad on a lettuce leaf or in a sandwich, or on a burger bun or hot dog bun. Paint bread innards with mayo/mustard combo or how you like it.
If using regular water-packed tofu, still twist to extract water, but when adding liquid/fluid at end (oil, lime juice, olive juice from jar), you may need less due to the softness of the tofu, okay? Judge as you go along.
Iceberg lettuce is the easiest to chew with dentures or toothless, when it’s up against something soft, like bread and/or chop salad with caramelized veggies rather than raw chop veggies.
THE TOOTHLESS CHEF - NEW! 