SPAM boiled in hot water

First of all, this is SPAM from a can and not the email variety. In fact, I often find the generic variety (e.g. from Aldi) makes the endeavor even yummier to this penny pincher.

Second of all, why the heck boil it? Well I'll tell you the heck why. It's a very salty product, and so one fateful day I decided to try boiling 1/4 (~4oz) of the pink stuff as one would a hot dog, say, 5 mins if fresh out of the can or 10 mins boiled. What I got was something slimy, earthy and, well, wholesome in its own way. The master stroke (thus far) was trying some BBQ sauce on it after it's boiled - which, as I gather, is a concept not unique to my inspiration.

The idea behind this is to make a meal, so in this case we embellish with frozen vegetables and mashed potatoes. Here's the breakdown, as it stands now...

To start from a fresh can, just peel off the lid and slice the middle then the flanks, then take a fork and dig out the first slice. The remaining 3 freeze nicely in any reusable container. OH, and might as well pour out the slimy stuff from the can in the boiling pot, you'll see why later on. Dunk a hunk of SPAM in the pot of water and add garlic powder. If the piece is frozen I boil for 10 mins solid, or 5 mins if right outta the can.

When starting the boil timer it's the cue to heat up the veggies. I just get out something from the freezer and pour out a portion on the plate, add a dab of margarine and nuke for one minute on high. Don't put away the margarine - put a dab in the smaller boiling pot for the mashed potatoes.

I don't make the potatoes till the meat is done, and here's the economy of the whole deal: we use some of the brine from the boiling meat to make instant mashed potatoes, complete with some broth and garlic. The only thing is, I can't tell you what the measure of flakes would be since I use what was once holding an individual serving of applesauce, for a packed lunch. I just fill that up to about 1/4 inch from the top, and mix with:

• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup brine from boiled SPAM
• Aforementioned dab of margarine
• Dash of oregano and onion flakes - not too much or it will smell like an armpit

Just like the instructions say, bring that to a boil, mix in the flakes, stir with a fork, add a bit of brine if needed, then do the veggies for another 45 seconds.

Once the meat is on the plate, I cut it in pieces and stir in some BBQ - usually it's Sweet Baby Rays.

Well I'd like to congratulate you for making it this far, and I'd like to shake your hand if this has actually made you hungry :)