WAIT!!! Please don’t run away!
I knew the moment I wanted to share this with ya’ll that it would be one of those “um…. what the heck” recipes and a lot of people would turn their noses up and run before even looking at it! I knew that, but I still wanted to share it with you!
I know I haven’t been posting a lot of recipes lately and I’m sorry. Life is too busy! It’s become WAY too busy and I’m having a really hard time juggling everything. I’m also kind of tired of feeling like I have to make the huge & complicated recipes for the blog.
I was starting to feel like in order for my blog to grow and in order to keep my readers I needed to only post “out of the box”, creative, organic, clean eating, fresh, new recipes. I have to be honest though, I don’t have the time or the energy to create, make, photograph and write up huge recipes with lots of steps and crazy flavor combos! I wish I did, but I don’t.
We’re still eating pretty good at home, but really…who wants to see post after post of grilled chicken, grilled steaks or steamed veggies haha. Plus sometimes I eat leftovers a lot (like this week, I’ve been busy with work and working out and I’ve literally ate left over spaghetti for like 3 nights in a row) and boring foods like PB & Jelly sandwiches and Baked potatoes! I obviously can’t blog about that…….What can I say. Sorry… Not sorry… 🙂
I’m just going to have to go back… back to simple, regular recipes! Desserts (oooo yes, I’ve got 2 EASY, amazing ones coming to the blog super soon), Simple Dinners and probably some snacks throw in there.
I want to make cupcakes, cookies, copycat meals, copycat desserts (swill roll cakes anyone?)…. I want to make all of that and I haven’t because I’m too worried about what my clean eating, make everything from scratch, organic family and friends will think. I WILL FEEL LIKE I HAVE FAILED! 🙁
I still LOVE to eat healthy and clean BUT I need my comfort stuff (and NO I don’t want to “clean up” all of my old favorites and turn them into gluten-free, paleo friendly, clean eating, almond meal, coconut oil treats. Sometimes I just wanna eat things they way I use to make them.. (Nothing wrong with that if you choose to make them better for you, I applaud you for being so awesome!)
Easy, Simple, Normal (at least in HAWAII!!) That’s why I’m sharing these Spam Musubi with you today!
I’d imagine that to most people “SPAM” is a “four letter dirty word”. It was a “OMG EWWW” type of food to me for my entire life. I’m sorry but potted meat made my tummy turn and there was no way in hell I was going to even think about eating it.
Then my husband came along…he loved it. Spam and Eggs? Yep! Fried Spam Sandwich? Yep! But I didn’t want anything to do with it. NO WAY! Until we started planning our trip to Honolulu that is.
Of course, since I’m in love with the food aspect of every place I visit, I wanted to know EVERYTHING about the local favorites before we got there. To my surprise (and horror), there was a little thing called “Spam Musubi” that seemed to be a local “must have”. So I check it out online, I saw it in “Hawaii Food” Videos on youtube and read about it on Hawaii Travel blogs. It was everywhere.
However, I thought maybe it was just a “thing”. Like the love of the Spam Musubi was just kind of being blown out of proportion. I was wrong. They’re everywhere over there. We saw kids pulling them out of their bookbags on the bus after surfing, we saw them in the ABC stores, we saw them on menus and we even went to a little hole in the wall beside our hotel that pretty much only sold Spam Musubi and Boxed lunches. (That’s where I got my little Spam Musubi Maker! Don’t Judge me! haha)
So now I hada problem….I’d made my mind up that I was going to “try local foods”, immerse myself in the culture and do what the locals do…..and now there was SPAM. WHY, out of all the foods, what are you doing SPAM!?! Come on! But then I tried it. I bought one from the “hole in the wall” place and I tried it. It was ok. Then I bought another. It was pretty good.
I suppose It’s the second or third Spam Musubi that sucks you in. After that 2nd or 3rd one you’re pretty much addicted. I think we probably bought one (or two) each day we were there. Oops.
So when we got home, I had to recreate them. That’s how my vacations work. haha I eat, I walk, I eat A LOT… I walk A LOT and then I come home and recreate the foods we loved!
I made a bunch of these and individually wrapped them in plastic wrap so that Big Bear could just grab them from the fridge (warm them up) and snack on them or take some to work with him.
To make these you only need 4 things!
You’ll need Spam, sushi rice, nori and soy sauce to make Spam Musubi! So Simple!
Ps. if you don’t have Musubi Maker (or can’t find one) just use your hands to shape the rice.
This is how I make Spam Musubi. It’s probably not the correct way or the true Hawaiian way but this is how I do it 🙂
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Spam Musubi – Hawaii Eats by: Angie Barrett 04/04/14 (Click to Print)
Ingredients
1 can of SPAM
4 cups sushi rice (or white rice)
Soy Sauce
Nori Sheets
Cook rice according to package directions. Let cool slightly.
Open SPAM and slice into strips. (I normally get about 10 or 12 out of 1 can depending on how thick I cut the strips).
Brush soy sauce onto SPAM slices. Heat a pan on medium – high heat and add spam slices. Fry until the edges of the SPAM are crispy. (I normally brush on a few extra layers of soy sauce onto each side while they’re cooking)
Once they are done, remove them from the pan and set aside.
Now it’s time to assemble the Spam Musubi!
Lay a strip of nori onto a flat surface. Place the rectangle (the Musubi Maker) over the middle of the strip as if you were making a plus sign.
Pack the Musubi Maker half way full with rice. Use the top of the Musubi Maker to press the rice down into the mold. Add a slice of spam and press down with the top of the Musubi Maker.
Remove the Musubi Maker and wrap the nori around the rice and spam. (I use a little bit of water on the edges of the nori to help it stick!
Make about 10-12 Spam Musubi
Although I never had SPAM I love how it’s featured here. I heard before how Hawaiians are crazed for SPAM and this is a great interpretation channeled through, sushi SPAM. I think of it as Hawaiian pop culture tidbit, somehow. 🙂
I miss musubi sooo much!!! 7-11 had the BEST ones, where the spam was fried up nice, and the rice was soft and warm, yum!! Can’t find it here in CA, I’mma just have to try and make it myself!
I’v never had spam but this looks good, I might *might* be willing to try it. 🙂 Now for the clean, healthy eating. I applaud you and it certainly isn’t easy. I say you can absolutely have the sweet treats and foods that you want but swap out the ingredients you normally get for something higher quality or organic. That way you can be happy with that cupcake but know the ingredients are top notch!
I’ll try it. I will! Just because I haven’t liked SPAM yet doesn’t mean I won’t like it this way!
I’ll admit that I’ve never tried spam but have that little eww thing going on whenever it’s mentioned. That’s a pretty pathetic reaction for a food blogger. Another truth is that I think this looks fantastic, though I’d probably have more trouble with the seaweed wrapping then the Spam. 🙂
This is actually really cool. The Hawaiian people are known for creating some really fabulous Spam recipes so I’m totally game for trying this.
As to the clean eating and guilt when you eat regular food, I say don’t feel bad. I always believe in eating what you love. I’m trying to lose weight too but I’m just not the kind of gal who can eat salad every day. We eat healthy during the week, then we indulge on weekends. It seems to work for us. I think life is all about balance. Never beat yourself up for living life on your own terms girl. xx
You know what? I love simple foods! I’m a little wary of spam myself, but I think I could totally get my snack on with these!
You know sometimes things we enjoy don’t have to be cool at the moment and the way things go it can be cool the next. be true to who you are and all is good. great post!
It’s definitely an eye catcher!
Hahahaha, I Love the way you started the post. I totally was scratching my head thinking “spam??). LOL. I am with ya on needing comfort foods sometimes. We can’t eat clean ALL of the time.
Spam has gotten a pretty bad wrap (no pun intended!) but I think this recipe works! I’d try it!
such great pictures of your recipe. I love that it looks like sushi. Great job
I normally wouldn’t put a link here in your comments, but I have to considering this post. We’re two peas in a pod! http://www.sahmreviews.com/2013/12/ad-world-first-sushi-corn-dogs.html
this little mechanism is too cool.. You did lose me a little w SPAM and sushi … But the tool brings me back.
I seen on tv the other day that Spam is becoming popular again. It has been so long since I ate any that I kind of want to try it again. I’m not sure I even remember what it tastes like and my daughter has never tried it. haha
I’ve never made my own sushi before but this looks really cool! I would totally try this out and Spam too!
Oh my goodness gracious, I think this is one of the most unique recipes ever! It does look strangely good though!
Sorry, I wold have to sneak this on the diner table. That item has a bad rap here. Sorry!
Mitch
I am from Hawaii and I can tell you this is THE BEST!!!! You have totally sent me down memory lane and I want a spam musibi sooooooooooooooooo Bad! I may have to make some this week! LOVE IT!
I don’t think I’d like this! But it seems like spam is popular in Hawaii!
My brother in law would weep tears of joy if I showed him this. He loves spam!
WHAAAAT? so strange. My mom had to eat spam growing up in the 60s because they didn’t have a lot of money. I just can’t do potted meat. NOOOO!
Angie, only you could make Spam look so glamorous and appetizing!
Oh my goodness, these are the most adorable things ever. What a clever idea! I say post whatever you like, whenever you like! No pressure, it’s your little haven.. so why not? Looking forward to more fun posts!
My brother loved eating SPAM when he was living in Hawaii. My favorite Hawaiian food is (and will always be) pineapple. I just can’t get enough fresh pineapple!
I have never seen anything like Spam Musubi! My mom tells me we used to eat Spam when I was a kid — I don’t remember it though. I haven’t had it in a LONG time, if that’s true.
Haha, I was about to run away! This looks very interesting but I bet it’s good!
I have heard about a lot of interesting recipes using Spam from people in Hawaii and in Korea. The sushi idea is new to me.
I’ve never heard of it before, but I was definitely about to run away. I’m glad I read through the whole reasoning behind why you make them and their Hawaiian story. I probably still won’t eat one though. lol
Oh wow! This is a unique recipe that I should really try! 🙂
I have to say this is very creative! I would have never thought to do this!
Clever use of Spam! I wouldn’t have never thought!~
I can’t believe that’s SPAM! Way cool. The snack looks tasty too./
Personally, I love Spam. My husband thought I was crazy (most people do), but after he’s eaten some of the dishes I make with it, he’s down with the spam 😉 I’d pass on this b/c of the Nori wrap, but he’d love it!
I have a hawaiian friend and she made this for me once. It’s so good!!!
I LOVE SPAM, but only after I had to try it when I married my husband. 🙂 We didn’t have these when we were in Hawaii, but I’m totally looking for them next time we go. YUM!
I couldn’t eat it. I think I’ll stick with my california rolls. LOL. My husband on the other hand though – He lives on SPAM and those yucky Vienna sausages.
Wait, what? I seriously thought that it looked interesting and not scary at all. I’m shocked! I did not think that was spam. I’m going to have to try this!
My Dad LOVES Spam. We always used to make fun of him until one night we tried fried SPAM sandwiches – they can actually be quite tasty.
I never thought of using Spam in that way! You actually made it look yummy 🙂
Love it 🙂 Certainly an acquired taste and not for everyone but worth a try. We have the history of SPAM in Hawaii here to for those interested: https://lookintohawaii.com/hawaii/44724/spam-information-all-islands-hi