Today I am going to share a German recipe with you… something that my Mom sometimes would make as a quick lunch, but which also perfectly works as a hearty brunch item (especially here in the US, where hot sandwiches are much more common on the menu).
“Strammer Max” means ‘hard’ or ‘tight’ Max which is Saxon slang and means exactly what you probably think it means. I swear, I never made any sexual connection to this dish until I read the Wikipedia description last weekend. Am I, as a woman, even allowed to eat it?
I seriously thought that the name of this dish was a reference to ‘giving energy and strength’ to the person who eats it. Innocent me. (But I asked my Mom and she also had no clue where this phrase originally came from, so..).
Traditionally a “strammer Max” is a butter fried slice of bread with ham and (a) fried egg(s). I served this for brunch last weekend for the first time and J loved it.
It’s really filling and so quick and easy to make. You need:
- 1-2 thick slices of whole wheat or mixed bread (toast doesn’t really do it here)
- 2 slices of ham (I prefer the natural ham of the bone, but other ham or even prosciutto works too.)
- 1-2 eggs over easy (my favorite – but you can also do over-medium, over-hard, or sunny side up).
Tina
September 26, 2012 at 6:11 amI used to looove Strammer Max as a child but I am not sure our relationship can be as innocent as before. I had NO clue…I always thought the same thing as you about giving energy etc…wow I need some time to process this!
Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks
September 26, 2012 at 6:45 amSounds like a yummy, protein-heavy meal – great (and tasty!) way to start the day.
Evi
September 26, 2012 at 10:01 amLol :) das wusste ich auch nicht. Danke für die Aufklärung:)
Nadine
September 26, 2012 at 12:32 pmUuuh, I had no idea! We had it just yesterday for dinner… Eeek!
Maribeth
September 26, 2012 at 1:07 pmMmmmmmm! Looks very delicious!
Ti
September 26, 2012 at 4:48 pmThe French equiv is egg over a drilled ham & cheese sandwich! : ) Looks yum. And… um… Wikipedia can be edited by anyone. I call wrong information? lol.
Ulli
September 26, 2012 at 6:08 pmShudder.
great photo though!
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
September 29, 2012 at 10:24 amYum! This sounds so good. I am all about egg dishes. :)
V.
September 29, 2012 at 11:20 amOh my, I had no idea that’s where the term originates. Yikes!! I love it too though (sunny side up). :)
Tobia | craftaliciousme
June 18, 2014 at 12:11 pmOh my it seems like all of Germany didn’t know this…
Probably start laughing next time I see it on a menu.