Strammer Franz Josef

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 4 slice(s) Leberkäse, approx. 1 – 1.5 cm thick – optionally the version studded with fried onions
• 4 eggs
• 4 slices of farmer’s bread (barley or rustic crusty bread)
• Butter for spreading the bread slices
• 1 tsp Clarified butter or butter for frying
• 4 slices of Appenzeller or Emmental cheese (spicy version)
• 4 tbsp, heaped coleslaw
• 1 pinch(s) caraway seeds, whole or crushed
• some fried onions
• 4 gherkins
• some mustard, sweet

Instructions

Working time approx. 15 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 10 minutes; Total time approx. 25 minutes

Strammer Max with Leberkäse

Butter the four slices of bread and set aside. Fry the Leberkäse in the pan in hot oil until well browned on both sides. During the final turn of the Leberkäse slices, place a slice of cheese on each slice and place the lid on the pan for 1-2 minutes to allow the cheese slices to melt slightly. Meanwhile, fry the eggs in a second pan so that they’re all cooked at the same time. Depending on your hunger, you can use two eggs per serving. Now place the Leberkäse and cheese slices on the bread slices, top with the eggs, sprinkle some fried onions on top, and finally add the fan-shaped gherkin as a topping. Serve everything warm with the coleslaw mixed with the caraway seeds. Sweet mustard can be served with the side. A simple and quick dinner, a slightly modified version of Strammer Max. My boyfriend named this “Strammer Max” “Franz-Josef” because he finds it more appropriate for this semi-Bavarian version.