Can we finally give Spam a break? The pinkish-yellow, gelatinous cube that slides out of each can with a disturbing "plop!" may not be the most appetizing meal for many, but does it really deserve the bad rap it gets?
It's simply pork shoulder, salt (and lots of it), sugar, water, and sodium nitrite (a color preservative). Spam is an abbreviation for "Spiced Ham," not code for "Something Posing As Meat." And for all the folks who claim to turn their nose up at it, it sure does sell billions, and is popular in Hawaii, where's it's served as musubi and sushi and shows up on McDonald's and Burger King menus; in the U.K., which acquired a taste when the U.S. shipped over tons of the stuff for the Lend-Lease Act; and in South Korea, where the locals came to appreciate the surplus cans G.I.s wouldn't touch. And I bet if many of us rummaged around the backs of our own cupboards, a blue-and-yellow can might show itself.
Best of all, it's cheap. And we can all appreciate cheap nowadays.
And so ...
... here are three Hawaiian-themed, Spam-based
recipes:
SPAM MUSUBI
- 2 slices Spam Classic
- 3 ounces white rice (seasoned with furikake and toasted sesame seeds, if desired), cooked
- 1 tablespoon House of ginger-sesame sauce, or Japanese-style barbecue sauce
- 1 nori
In large skillet, brown Spam until it is lightly browned and crisp. Place half of the rice into a musubi press or small can. Place the Spam on the rice and drizzle with grill sauce or cooking sauce. Top with the remaining rice and press. Remove Spam and rice from the musubi press or can. Place on sheet of nori (shiny side down) and wrap. Cut each musubi in half. Slice each half, diagonally in half again. Serve immediately.
Want to learn how to make sushi? Check out this video and get a recipe for classic Tuna Maki
BARBEQUED SPAM KABOBS
- 12 (6 inch) wooden skewers, soaked in water for 10 minutes
- 1 can Spam Classic, cut into 36 pieces
- 1 can (30 oz) pineapple chunks, drained
- 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
Thread cubes of Spam and pineapple alternately on skewers. Grill over hot coals or broil, turning often, until lightly browned and warmed through, about 5 minutes. (Can also be browned in skillet.) Just before serving, brush kabobs with favorite barbecue sauce.
HAWAIIAN SPAMBURGER
- 1 can Spam Classic
- 1 can (8 oz) pineapple slices, in juice
- 4 slices green bell pepper, if desired
- 1/4 cup creamy mustard blend
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 4 hamburger buns, split
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 4 slices Swiss cheese, if desired
Slice Spam into 4 slices (3 inches x 1/2-inch). Grill Spam slices, pineapple slices and bell pepper slices, if desired, 5 to 7 minutes or until thoroughly heated, turning once. Combine mustard blend and garlic; spread on cut sides of buns. Fill each bun with lettuce, Spam, pineapple, bell pepper, and cheese, if desired.
Love burgers? Check out these tips and recipes for creating the ultimate burger
OK, not exactly haute cuisine. In fact, it reminds me somewhat of the culinary inventions you'd have to make do with in college at 3 a.m. before a major exam with $2 in your pocket and tons more cramming to do.
But still, with budgets foremost on everyone's minds, will people stop being Spam snobs? Anyone have any secret Spam stories they'd like to share?
by Michael Y. Park
MORE FROM EPICURIOUS.COM
Feeding your family on a budget? Get the top ten money-saving ingredients
Check out our Seasonal Ingredient Map to find out what's ripe near you and get recipes
Think comfort food can’t be healthy? These recipes and tips might change your mind
Which frozen pizza passed the taste test? Check out the results
Need to plan a meal on the fly? Browse over 5,000 Quick & Easy recipes
