Opera Bread - Oopperaleipä

The opera bread seems to be originated from the Stockholm opera and became popular in Finland in the 1950. At that time the alcohol laws were very strict, and people had to order some food after each second drink.

The opera bread served that purpose perfectly for the party goers. It became a popular quick lunch snack. It can be seen as the “bread”-brother of the burger. Nowadays, burgers are more popular.

Ingredients

4 Large slices of bread e.g. Grahambread, white bread or even ryebread (I like the ryebread version)

Patties:

400 g Minced Beef (for 4 patties)

½ Teaspoon Salt

½ Teaspoon Black pepper

Butter for frying

Topping:

4 Eggs (I took 8, because the eggs were so small in my opinion and I was hungry)

1 Red Onion

Salt and Black Pepper

4 Salat Leaves

Some thin slices of pickled beetroot and/or pickled cucumber

Instructions:

Cut the onions into small pieces and mix with minced beef, salt and black pepper. Form four patties and fry them on both sides in a pan. Put aside and fry the eggs. Put aside and fry briefly the thinly cut red onion and put aside.

Fry the bread on both sides. Put one slice of bread on a plate, add the salat, the patty, the red onion and then top with the egg. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. If you like a bit of paprika powder.

Add to the side pickled beetroot and pickled cucumber (forgot to put them into the picture).