Toast Hawaii is a common German treat. It's so easy to find in any restaurant or fast-food joint, you could request this preparation even if it's not on the menu. Popularized by German TV cook Clemens Wilmenrod in the 1950s, the toast is a version of an American spam sandwich. Because spam wasn't possible to find in West German supermarkets, Wilmernrod used a slice of cooked ham instead. Back in the day, Toast Hawaii was served garnished with a lettuce leaf on the side and accompanied by a bottle of Worcestershire sauce.

Although the toast has nothing to do with traditional German cuisine, it is still firmly entrenched in the local culinary repertoire. Don't dismiss the recipe, as the combination of sweet, juicy pineapple, salty ham, and rich, creamy cheese is as flavorful as it is filling and satisfying. With easy to find ingredients, this open-faced sandwich is a good light lunch or dinner, or an afternoon treat. Multiply the ingredients to make more at the same time, considering that each person should have two toasts if you're serving it for lunch or dinner, or one toast if it's a snack or appetizer.