Darel Wages said that he and his wife, Sharon, and their daughter, Kylie, like the Spam meal mainly because it’s good and it’s simple to make.
Dawn Kessinger/The Lima News
Having a friendly co-worker who is willing to work hard right alongside you is a valuable perk of any job.
In addition to sharing horror stories about the more challenging work days, co-workers talk about their weekend plans, favorite cars, pets and family activities. If you’re really lucky and get along well enough, colleagues also share their favorite recipes.
Darel Wages, who lives with his wife and daughter in Kenton, works as a second-shift team leader in the shipping and receiving department at SumiRiko Ohio in Bluffton. He shared a favorite recipe with his co-worker Tim, who then passed along the details about the Spam dish to me.
I’ve never tried Spam, and once upon a time, I probably wouldn’t have been interested in trying it. One of the many things I’ve learned since facing the fear and horror of having my skull cut open and a softball-sized tumor cut and mostly scooped out, is that now, facing maybe a little discomfort or even anxiety over trying unfamiliar things is nothing compared to brain surgery.
Thus, I have become much more open to trying new things, including different (even the weird-sounding or what I’d initially consider unappetizing) foods. I’ve been thrilled to discover I like most of what I try; I learn something even from my many mistakes or complete failures that make a meal inedible. I try again. And when I can, I pass on what I’ve learned in the hope that I’ll give someone an idea (or at least a laugh).
Darel said he’d been making the Spam Pineapple Mashed Potatoes recipe for the past 37 years.
“As long as I’ve been married, I’ve been making it,” Darel said. “It came from my wife’s dad, Edward Purcell, when we lived in New Hampshire.”
Darel said that he and his wife, Sharon, and their daughter, Kylie, like the Spam meal mainly because it’s good, and it’s simple to make.
“It’s easy and traditional. Also, it reminds my wife and me of New Hampshire when we fix it. My daughter really likes it too and now her friends love it, too,” Darel said.
The next time a co-worker asks you to lend an extra helping hand when you’re tired and don’t feel like doing it, look on the bright side: Once the work is done, your grateful colleague might just reward you with a new recipe you’ll find is easy to make, fun to try, and a delicious addition to your collection.
Perk of the Job Spam
Ingredients:
• 12-oz can Spam
• 15-oz can pineapple slices
• 32-oz family size Bob Evans mashed potatoes (or make your own)
Preheat oven to 350. In a casserole dish or baking pan, spray with nonstick spray. Place Spam on the bottom of the dish, then layer pineapple slices on top of it. Spoon on and spread mashed potatoes on top of the pineapple. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Want to share a meal with The Lima News readers? Send your recipe with your name, city of residence, phone number (won’t be published) and a photo of your meal to [email protected].
