Spam Fried Rice

September: National Rice Month

We blogged about Spam musubi before. Now we are posting our family recipe for fried rice which incorporates Hawaii’s favorite luncheon meat—Spam! Like most locals, leftover rice is made into another meal by frying it up with meat (Spam or sausages, such as lap cheung 臘腸, longganisa, Portuguese or Vienna sausage, etc.). Sometimes vegetables and a fried egg are added. But the concept/process is the same and it is onolicious! We garnished our Spam fried rice with omelet curls, just like Islander’s Daddy does to make it more fancy for his family and friends. Make National Rice Month special by making Spam fried rice!

Recipe

For the Spam fried rice

• 2 cups leftover rice
• 2 teaspoons oil
• ¼ cup onion, chopped
• 1 small can (7 ounces ) Spam, diced
• 1-2 teaspooons garlic powder
• 2-3 tablespoons soy sauce (we used Aloha Shoyu brand)

Directions

Loosen the rice with a little water so the grains are not sticky. Set aside. Chop the onions and dice the Spam. Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok and stir fry the onions until fragrant. Add the Spam and cook until lightly browned.

Mix in the rice. Season with garlic powder and stir well. Pour in the soy sauce and blend well. Prepare the omelet curls.

For the omelet curls (optional garnish)

• 1 egg
• oil or cooking spray for frying

Directions

In a small bowl, beat the egg well. In a skillet or wok, heat a little oil or cooking spray. Pour the beaten egg and spread it thinly over the bottom. Fry until lightly browned. Flip the omelet over and fry again. Transfer to a cutting board, blotting out excess grease with a paper towel.

While still hot, roll tightly. Press gently to set its shape. Cut into slices. Use to garnish the Spam fried rice.

Notes

• Mix the Spam with some vegetables for a colorful medley. Stir fry ½ cup frozen peas and carrots before adding the rice in this recipe.
• Sprinkle nori komi furikake for some sesame seaweed flavoring.
• If feeling a little lazy to make the omelet curls, just crack an egg into the hot rice and keep stir frying until cooked and well blended.
• Make musubi with Spam. Check out our blog post—in pidgin (Hawaiian creole)!