LECKERBISSEN: Toast Hawaii

Leckerbissen is a German word meaning treat, tidbit, or delicacy.  

Lecker means yummy or delicious; ein Bissen is a bite.  

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I realize that all the cooking talk these days revolves around the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday; 

however, here is a recipe that you can make if you end up with any left-over ham.

**Also consider substituting the traditional maraschino cherry with cranberries, 

if you are using holiday left-overs.**

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When you think of German food, you may think of cheese and fruit (apples, grapes, fresh cherries, pears) or of wonderful varieties of bread and meats - but you probably don't immediately think of PINEAPPLES (Ananas auf Deutsch).

Believe it or not, a very popular German dish, especially with my parents' generation (post-World-War II) was Toast Hawaii.  It was introduced in the 1950's because the ingredients were potentially in every household.   It was CHEAP and easy to make, but sounded very exotic.  

In America, there is such a thing as Hawaiian-style pizza, right?!  It it ham and pineapple on a cheese pizza.   You either love it or hate it, I think!  I happen to love it, but that probably is a result of my mother's love for Toast Hawaii, which was served every so often as I was growing up.  

The ingredients for Toast Hawaii are - like has been said - simple:  a piece of white bread (toast), a slice of cheese (so many varieties to use!  I like Swiss or provolone.  A slice of American cheese is the perfect size, too.), a round slice of canned (or fresh) pineapple, and if you want to make it REAL FANCY, a maraschino cherry for the center of the pineapple (I don't need one of those myself.).   

***You might consider substituting that cherry for CRANBERRIES if you have any left-overs at Thanksgiving!!***

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To make Toast Hawaii, you just stack your bread, ham, pineapple, and cheese on a baking sheet.  Bake until the cheese is soft (350 degrees for about 15 minutes).  Optional, add a maraschino cherry in the center!   

Now, this is important:  EAT IT WITH A FORK & KNIFE like a good-mannered German.  

Here is a web-site called Live Like a German that has a far more detailed description and 2 different recipes for Toast Hawaii to offer:  Toast Hawaii Recipe