German Toast Hawaii Recipe

Toast Hawaii is a popular German dish which is simply a slice of bread with ham and a ring of pineapple that is topped with melted cheese, and often a cherry. It is a popular sweet and savory dish that first became popular in the 1950s. 

Origin and Cultural Significance:

During World War II food imports into Germany came almost to a halt, particularly for international food such as tropical fruits. After the war in the 1950s when tropical fruits started to arrive back in Germany, a famous TV chef, Clemens Wilmenrod, helped to make the dish popular. 

The meal is quick and easy to make, offering a unique sweet and savory combination, and is thought to be inspired by the “grilled Spamwich” found in the 1939 Spam cookbook – which was introduced to Germany by US soldiers. Since there is was no Spam in Germany at the time, the ham was used as a substitute. 

The dish quickly became a favorite as it embraced both the recent obsession with tropical fruits in the country, as well as having an American influence – much like most of Germany at that time. Now the dish is considered a classic and enjoyed as a light meal or quick snack, and a comfort food for many Germans.

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German Toast Hawaii Recipe

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 1 minute

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 minute

German Toast Hawaii is simply a slice of bread with ham and a ring of pineapple that is topped with melted cheese, and often a cherry.

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Ingredients

• Bread slices - 4
• Cooked ham slices - 4
• Pineapple rings - 4 (canned or fresh)
• Cheese slices (such as Gouda or Emmental) - 4
• Maraschino cherries (optional) - 4
• Butter - 2 tbsp
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Butter each slice of bread on one side and place them on a baking sheet, buttered side down.
3. Place a slice of ham on each piece of bread, followed by a ring of pineapple.
4. Top each pineapple ring with a slice of cheese.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Optional: Top each Toast Hawaii with a maraschino cherry.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 432Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 1118mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 3gSugar: 21gProtein: 25g

Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.