Friday, January 08, 2010

craving home

It's winter here, which means it is cold, sometimes dreary, not much sun to warm up the body or the soul.

I saw a photo on my friend, Deb's Flickr page and was reminded of corned beef hash patties.

The next day, I immediately went out to buy a can of corned beef.

The cans of corned beef in the local supermarkets are "so cute" only 100 grams...on sale for 258 yen (about US$2.58), especially when you compare it to a SPAM can.

As I was walking back from the supermarket, I realized that I had forgotten to buy a potato to make the patties.

Since I was already out, I walked to the closest market which was a co-op.

Luckily, I had a filled point card which gave me 100 yen (about US$1) off, so a bag of potatoes (5 potatoes) costing 128 yen (about US$1.28), was only 28 yen (about US$.28). I guess that was worth the extra walk.

I think corned beef hash patties were a food eaten by people in Hawaii on the plantations or after the war(?) or both.

By adding a potato (or two), one could stretch out the corned beef and make more patties to feed their large family.

So, that is what I grew up on, a large batch of corned beef hash patties, we would usually have them for dinner, lots of rice and lots of ketchup, a salad on the side.

From this teeny can, I used one potato, one egg and half an onion and made 4 normal sized patties for dinner and 6 tiny patties for breakfast.

We had the patties for breakfast with an egg and rice. This combination can be found during breakfast time at most places in Hawaii.

If you can find those regular sized cans of corned beef, you can make your own corned beef hash patties.

2 potatoes, peeled, cooked, mashed (kinda chunky)
1 onion, diced
1 can of corned beef
1 egg
oil to pan fry

Break up the corned beef and add the potatoes, onion, egg, mix well.
Using a soup spoon, scoop and put onto a heated pan with oil.
Using the back of the spoon, flatten out the scoop of mixture to make a patty.
Cook for about 2 or 3 minutes on each side.
Serve with lots of rice.

*if eating for breakfast, top with egg cooked as you like, we prefer over easy or sunny-side up.

NOTES: I only used 1 tablespoon of oil to cook these, but in Hawaii we usually use more, putting the finished patties onto a paper towel to drain. This is one food that is good eaten cold too.

15 comments:

Kathy YL Chan said...

It is so cold here in NYC as well...thanks for the idea, I'm so going to make these next week! ^_^

K and S said...

don't forget your egg, rice and ketchup, Kathy :)

Take care.
Kat

Donna said...

Corned beef hash with an egg on top is one of my super secret indulgences, but the canned corned beef hash here has so much salt I don't have it very often. I wonder if making it your way would have less salt? Even if not, it sounds wonderful and I think I must make some very soon.

Suze said...

Wow, that can is so small. I haven't made these in ages. I don't know if I can eat these any more. sigh.

K and S said...

hmm not so sure if my way of making this would reduce the salt, Donna, I hope you get some indulgences soon :)

Yeah, I was kinda shocked when I saw it on the shelf Suze, I hope you still can have these, there is already so much you had to give up.

Take care you two.
kat

Deb in Hawaii said...

I love a little corn beef hash--patties or otherwise now and then. Yum! ;-)

K and S said...

It is good once in awhile Debinhawaii :)

Take care.
Kat

Rowena said...

100% nostalgia....I love corned beef hash. And it's f-f-f-reezing here too :-(

K and S said...

guess you may need to open a can of "sunshine" too Rowena :)

Take care.
Kat

Unknown said...

I love corned beef hash too. I might buy a corned beef and make it with cabbage - and than use the left overs to make this - and probably other things. Corned beef is such a big size! I've had spam and I think the canned corned beef before. I lived in Kwajalein as a kid and visited Hawaii a couple of times - but lots of people from Hawaii lived on Kwajalein so there was a lot of spam in fried rice dishes. I didn't know what it was even till later. :)

Tracy

KirkK said...

Hey Kat - I love the ketchup! That's the way I ate it as a kid too.

jalna said...

Ooooohhhh, one of my favorites!

K and S said...

Ooh I should do corned beef and cabbage with the other can I bought Tracy. You lived in Kwajalein, that is so cool!

Ketchup is the best way (I think) Kirk :)

I think it is a favorite of most Jalna :)

Take care everyone!
Kat

Unknown said...

I did, it was a much cooler place to live than New Jersey :) Although I do like NJ (I admit it!)..You really do have a fondness for where you grew up I think. But Kwajalein was different and allowed me to visit Hawaii - maybe 4, 5 times which was THE best.

Tracy

K and S said...

4 or 5 times a year that would be the best Tracy :)

Take care.
Kat