One year for Christmas our holiday meal's theme was "Ham, Lamb, and Spam"; this recipe provided the Spam component, and it was remarkably tasty, not to mention easy. Isaac thought the texture of the Spam was not optimal -- another person thought the idea of the Spam was not optimal! -- and something else like firmer baked ham could easily be substituted. I suspect that the Spam is added late in this recipe to maintain its integrity; something like ham cubes or shredded chicken, say, could easily withstand longer cooking time and head into the pot earlier. Don't neglect to use the bell pepper, which really enhances the flavor of the finished soup.
Spam & Corn Chowder
- 1 cup chopped onion (use 1 small onion)
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1.1/2 cup diced, peeled potatoes (use about 2 small potatoes)
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper (go ahead, use 1 entire pepper)
- 2, 17-ounce cans cream-style corn (with liquid)
- 2 cups milk
- 1, 12-ounce can Spam, cubed
- In 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, sauté onion in butter 5 or 10 minutes until golden.
- Add potatoes and bell pepper; cook and stir 5 minutes.
- Add corn (with liquid) and milk.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 to 30 minutes (or longer), stirring occasionally, until potatoes are cooked.
- Stir in Spam; cook for 2 minutes more.
From Great-Tasting Recipes with Spam (no author attributed -- and I know what you're thinking).
