spam omurice

Don't refresh your screen because it is what you think it is. Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, Malasia, Hawaii, it really doesn't matter: if you're Asian, you've had this in some way, shape or form. Let's face it - SPAM isn't the healthiest or most appealing form of protein on the planet but that can also be said for delicacies like fois and caviar for many. I grew up on this stuff and if you've been following along, I've been craving foods that evoke my childhood memories lately.

I think my first Spam experience was simply pan fried over white rice. Then came the budae jigae, Spam musubi, fried rice and pretty much anything else you could think of. I've even had Spam ramen! Today was the first time in years since I've had this mystery meat in all its "porky", manufactured, glory and it tasted just like I had remembered it - salty, reminiscent of ham/pork and just simply - like Spam. Why I'm blogging about this is a mystery in itself. I'm actually kind of embarrased that I like this stuff. But damnit - it brings me back to my childhood and it tastes good to me.

While Spam fried rice is tasty by itself (it really is! I swear!), I decided to put it between an omelette and make omurice. I felt like a little kid eating this dish - giddy, excited and fascinated by the fact that fried rice was between an omelette. How can it get any better? Top it off with ketchup and you'll really feel like an 8 year old. Do me a favor now and forget that this post ever existed. Please. For both of our sakes.

Spam Omurice
Original, Serves 2

Ingredients:
- 1 cup diced onions
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups diced Spam
- 0.5 cup diced carrots
- 0.5 cup diced green pepper
- 0.5 cup diced red pepper
- 2 cups of cooked, day old rice* (see notes below)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon milk

1) Prep all of your ingredients before starting. Beat the eggs with a tablespoon of milk.

2) In a hot wok or a skillet, add a neutral oil and saute the onions and garlic for about 2 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
3) Add in the diced Spam and saute for another minute or two.
4) Add in diced carrots and saute for another minute.
5) Add in the diced green and red peppers and saute for 1 more minute (repetitive stuff, I know)
6) Finally, add in the rice and saute until everything is well incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add toasted sesame seeds and drizzle with sesame oil if desired. Set aside.
7) In a 9 or 10 inch non-stick frying pan, drizzle a little oil on the pan and pour the egg mixture into the pan over medium-low heat. You're not trying to brown the eggs but rather getting it to set. It should take about 5 minutes or so.
8) To assemble, place the omelette on a plate and fill half of the omelette with fried rice. Cover the fried rice with the other half of the omelette. Decorate with ketchup and cut into 2 if desired. Eat in joy/shame/gluttony and everything in between.

* You want to use day old rice instead of fresh rice because the fresh rice will be too soft and fluffy to be used in fried rice. The grains will just break apart and becomes mushy like overcooked pasta. Fried rice is a great way to use up leftover rice!

This is just a sample fried rice. Fried rice can be made with pretty much anything so get creative. Use up leftover ingredients or produce that'll go bad in a couple days.