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Effortless Strammer Max Deluxe

Featured in Start Your Day Deliciously.

You get both worlds here—go with toasted farmhouse bread, cooked ham, a creamy fried egg, plus chive mayo for the classic. Or, try the fancier one: stack on pancetta, crispy bacon, tomato and lift it up with that bright onion-pickle relish. Both wake up your morning with savory crunch and bold toppers. The little onion-pickle thing gives it a zingy, clever twist.

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Rehan Magic House Recipes
Updated on Fri, 20 Jun 2025 22:29:51 GMT
Slice of toast piled with eggs and onions on a wooden board. Pin it
Slice of toast piled with eggs and onions on a wooden board. | magichouserecipes.com

Switch things up at breakfast with two takes on Strammer Max. The classic with cooked ham and fried egg brings up those cozy grandma vibes, especially with a swipe of punchy mustard sauce for a tasty kick. The deluxe one steps it up: super crispy bacon, savory pancetta, juicy tomato, and a punchy onion-pickle relish – a combo that honestly levels up the old-school favorite.

Sundays meant Strammer Max at our house – warm bread and snipped chives from the yard. The deluxe really hits the spot after a long walk, and the whole crew looks forward to it.

Ingredients

  • Country bread: super tasty and gives a great bite Look for a loaf with a soft inside and crunchy outside
  • Cooked ham: light and tender Best if you grab some fresh from the butcher for the classic version
  • Eggs: for creamy fried eggs Grab the organic ones – taste really does show
  • Butter: adds rich flavor to both the bread and eggs
  • Mayonnaise: creamy and ties it all together Make your own if you’re into it
  • Hot mustard: adds a gentle kick and depth Pick up a quality German one if you can
  • Worcestershire sauce: toss in a splash for that savory bump For the real deal, the English stuff’s great
  • Sweet paprika: warms up the whole bite
  • Chives: fresh makes everything pop You can even snip some from your windowsill
  • Salt, pepper, sugar: just for rounding stuff off
  • Bacon: for the deluxe – smoky and bold Go for thick-cut pork belly
  • Pancetta or prosciutto: brings that Italian thing Air-dried ones really shine
  • Tomato: bright and a little tangy The riper, the better
  • Red onion and pickles for the relish: bring crunch and tang Go for crisp, little pickles
  • Flat-leaf parsley for relish: perks up color and taste
  • Neutral oil, white wine vinegar, light balsamic: makes a nice mellow dressing for the relish Taste the vinegar before using
  • Pinch of sugar: smooths out that sharp onion

Step-by-Step Directions

Get that relish going:
Dice your red onion and pickles really small Chop up parsley Mix it all in a bowl Whisk oil and both vinegars together Add salt, pepper, and a bit of sugar Taste as you go Pour it over the diced stuff Mix well Taste again if you want
Prep your chives and tomato:
Slice chives into little rings Cut tomato thin for the deluxe version
Crisp up the bread:
Toast slices of country bread either in a pan, oven, toaster or sandwich press Shoot for a nice crunch on the outside, still soft in the middle
Make your sauce:
Stir mayo, mustard, and Worcestershire together in a bowl Add paprika, salt, pepper, and sugar if you like Taste it – it should be bold and well-rounded
Fry those eggs:
Put a nonstick pan on medium Melt a dab of butter for each egg Gently crack eggs in along the rim Keep heat low Let the white set but keep the yolk a little runny It's cool if the edges are golden Sprinkle with salt after frying
Do the meat:
For deluxe, fry bacon in a hot pan with no extra oil ‘til it's crispy You can use pancetta or ham as-is
Stack it classic style:
Spread sauce on toasted bread Add cooked ham Pop an egg on top Scatter chives and pepper
Build it deluxe:
Spread sauce on toast Lay out tomato slices Add pancetta Add bacon Top with a fried egg Spoon relish in the middle Sprinkle with chives
Two toasts with eggs and onions, one just with ham, one with ham and onions. Pin it
Two toasts with eggs and onions, one just with ham, one with ham and onions. | magichouserecipes.com

Good to Know

  • Both versions keep you full for hours
  • Any leftovers are perfect for snacking tomorrow
  • Great pick for brunch or a hearty evening bite

My personal winner: the onion-pickle relish

The zingy freshness with parsley is the secret sauce of the deluxe version. At family get-togethers, the bowl of relish was always the first thing to disappear – swiped onto bread morning or night.

Storage advice

It's best fresh, but if there's some left, keep bread and toppings apart Put the relish in the fridge – it's fine for a day or two Just give it a stir and add fresh chives before you serve

Two toasts with eggs and onions, one as a classic, one as a deluxe version. Pin it
Two toasts with eggs and onions, one as a classic, one as a deluxe version. | magichouserecipes.com

Swap out ingredients

No pancetta? Go ahead and use regular Black Forest ham If you're into vegan stuff, just swap the ham for fried smoked tofu slices and skip the egg or use plant-based egg replacer

Tips for serving

Either version looks awesome on a big wooden board Tastes great with crunchy dill pickles, radish slices, and some peppery arugula Want extra flavor? Top with crispy fried onions

Backstory

Strammer Max probably started showing up in German pubs in the 1920s and kept a lot of folks happy The usual was simple bread, ham, and egg – just the basics The fancy deluxe styles didn’t pop up until way later

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What bread works best?

Grab a hearty farmer's loaf or some crunchy mixed grain bread. It stays sturdy and crispy—even when toasted.

→ How do I keep the fried egg soft?

After you sizzle the egg, turn down the heat and pull it off the pan as soon as the edges are a touch golden. That leaves the yolk nice and runny.

→ What makes the deluxe version so tasty?

Pancetta, smoky bacon and that onion-pickle topping really pump up the flavors in the deluxe one and make it pretty bold.

→ How do you whip up the onion-pickle mix?

Chop onion, pickle, parsley super tiny and stir with oil and vinegar. Tastes fresh and punchy.

→ Can I swap in other stuff?

If you like, toss in sliced tomato, rocket or radish. They add a pop of color and keep things interesting.

Effortless Strammer Max Deluxe

Ham, egg, bacon and a punchy onion-pickle topping meet warm slices of country bread. Choose classic or go all out with the deluxe—there's rustic flavor in every bite.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Reham

Category: Breakfast & Brunch

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: German

Yield: 2 Servings (2 loaded toasts)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Strammer Max Classic

01 Sugar
02 Black pepper
03 Salt
04 4 stalks chives
05 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
06 2-3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
07 1 tsp spicy mustard
08 3 tbsp mayo
09 2-4 tsp butter (use more if making 4 eggs)
10 2-4 eggs (medium size)
11 4 slices cooked ham
12 2 slices rustic bread

→ Strammer Max Deluxe

13 Sugar
14 Black pepper
15 Salt
16 4 stalks chives
17 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
18 2-3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
19 1 tsp spicy mustard
20 3 tbsp mayo
21 1 tomato
22 2-4 tsp butter (use more if making 4 eggs)
23 2-4 eggs (medium size)
24 4 slices pancetta or cured ham
25 4 slices bacon
26 2 slices rustic bread

→ Onion Pickle Mix

27 1 pinch sugar
28 Pepper
29 Salt
30 1 tsp light balsamic vinegar
31 1 tsp white wine vinegar
32 2 tbsp vegetable oil
33 4 sprigs flat-leaf parsley
34 2-3 pickled cucumbers
35 1 small red onion

Instructions

Step 01

Wash the tomato and slice it. Crisp bacon in a dry pan. Quickly toast pancetta, set aside and keep warm. Spread sauce over the toasted bread, lay on the tomato slices, pile on pancetta and bacon, then slip on the fried egg. Sprinkle pepper, top with a spoonful of onion pickle mix, and finish off with snipped chives.

Step 02

Dice up the red onion and cucumbers real small, chop parsley. Toss together in a bowl. Mix up oil, white wine vinegar, and balsamic with salt, pepper, and sugar in another bowl, then stir that into the onion-cucumber bowl. Taste and tweak seasoning if you like.

Step 03

Take your toasted bread, spread some sauce, layer two slices of cooked ham on each, add a fried egg on top, grind black pepper over, and finish with chives.

Step 04

Heat a nonstick pan on medium. Melt 1 tsp butter for each egg. Crack eggs at the pan’s edge, let them slide in gently. Turn the heat down. Let whites set and yolks stay soft. Sprinkle a little salt.

Step 05

Get your rustic bread golden using a toaster, grill pan, oven, or contact grill—whatever's handy.

Step 06

Cut chives into thin rings with a knife.

Step 07

Spoon mayo, mustard, and Worcestershire into a bowl. Mix well. Stir in paprika, salt, pepper, and sugar if you want. Taste it and adjust.

Notes

  1. If you want super crisp bread, try sliding them under the broiler in your oven for a bit instead.

Tools You'll Need

  • Nonstick pan
  • Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Toaster or grill

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains mustard
  • Contains gluten
  • Might include dairy