2014 is fast approaching and with the coming of the new year, there are always resolutions to eat better and be healthier. I’m all for healthy eating and living, but there’s still time to indulge my friends! And nothing is more indulgent than this spam fried rice.
When you think about it, it’s a balanced meal in a bowl: grains, protein, fruit, deliciousness. What more could you want? I know what you’re thinking: spam is gross. But really, it isn’t! Spam is actually delicious – you just have to know how to prepare it.
First off, never ever eat spam straight out of the can. That actually is gross. But once you add a bit of heat and love, that slimy pink meat stuff turns into crispy bits of of salty, meaty deliciousness. Just remember, low and slow means yum and done.
Also remember, the key to good fried rice is old, cold rice. I know you might not have any rice in the fridge and after seeing these photos, you want fried rice, like, now, but trust me, you need old rice. Unfortunately, if you make a batch of fresh rice and try to fry it up you’ll end up with a soggy mess. If you absolutely cannot wait until tomorrow, at least spread your hot rice out on a baking sheet and cool it off in the fridge. Hopefully it’ll dry out a bit and fry up just as nice.
Speaking of New Year’s resolutions, do you have any? Mine: post more regularly. And maybe I’ll throw in some more vegetable eating too. Happy New Year Friends! I hope 2014 brings you everything your heart desires and lots and lots of delicious food.
Spam and Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
serves 4
- 1 can of spam, diced (I prefer the low sodium kind)
- oil
- 4 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 onion, diced
- 3-4 cups cold cooked rice, preferably day-old
- 1 small pineapple, diced (you can used canned, be sure to drain well)
- 1/2 bunch green onions, sliced (about 1 cup)
- salt and pepper
- sriracha, if desired
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the spam cubes and cook over medium to medium-low heat until crispy and deeply browned. Remove and set aside.
Add a bit of oil and turn the heat up to high and scramble your eggs until mostly set, but still slightly runny. The eggs will cook a bit more when you fry all the ingredients together. Remove and set aside. (Removing and setting aside is a common refrain when cooking fried rice.)
If the skillet is dry, add a bit more oil and then add the onions and cook until translucent. Add the rice and fry, stirring occasionally until the rice is heated through.
Add cooked spam, eggs, onion, pineapple and green onions back into the skillet and fry and mix until everything is evenly distributed. Taste, season with salt and pepper and enjoy hot with sriracha, if desired.
What a unique recipe! Can’t wait to try :) Have a happy new year!
YUM!!! Spam is one of my favorite things EVER. I had no idea that it was something people found gross until I was somewhere in my teens.. what a scarring day. Love that shot of the eggs pouring into the pan.
YUM!! I always have leftover spam after I make spam musubi – I never thought of making spam fried rice. Thank you for your suggestion. Happy New Year to you.
I also love Spam in fried rice! I almost like it better than Chinese sausages sliced up and crisped in fried rice. Because sometime that sausage tastes so funky. And Spam is actually less oily?! Oh, I love the addition of pineapple here girl. So clever. I keep cold rice “aging” in my frige frequently because I love fried rice so much…. totes trying your version asap. Happy 2014!
I LOVE that you keep cold rice aging in your fridge! :D
Looks exquisite as always! Really like this combo – happy new year ! x
I would never have thought of combining span and pineapple in fried rice – yours is a brilliant idea! And that bowl looks totally delish! Happy New Year!
Same here. It’s indeed an innovative idea to mix pineapple with fried rice. Looks good.
GREAT recipe ! Very traditional! I’ve added a little bit of soy sauce and sesame oil and it tasted delicious .
Spam is kinda like my guilty pleasure, and special fried rice with pineapple. Better than a prawn cocktail any day! :-D
I am not going to lie, my first reaction to spam is, “ew, gross.” Despite that, this fried rice look fabulous!
Made this tonight! Your recipes are the best. Seriously. I know it is rather unpopular in the States but I am a Spam fan. I loved everything about eating this. I added just a lil’ fish sauce and some of the pineapple juice, too. WINNER. Thanks for dinner Steph!
I just made this for lunch with left over rice from a Chinese restaurant and WOW! what a great meal. I have always liked SPAM (my mother made it for us in the 70’s Now it gets a bad rap but this is the redeeming recipe. Thanks, your the best!
This post made me smile :) Seriously. I had SPAM for lunch sometimes and my friends looked at me as if I was a weirdo, like “who has SPAM nowadays?”. I no longer have it because I don’t want to embarrass myself. But your post’s just passed me that SPAM spirit !!!! YAY ! SPAM is back, watch out SPAM haters !
omg. this comment MADE my morning! you go SPAM!!!!
How much pineapple do you think you actually used, in terms of cups? I’m wondering how many containers of fresh chopped pineapple or cans of pineapple I’d need to buy (I’m horrible at breaking down pineapple…).
I’d say about a cup would work!
I have never commented on the open internet but I had to for this one! Awesome recipe, even when doubled! Also for the less sodium and calorie conscious folk, I used teriyaki spam and drizzled a homemade sauce over each serving. I created the sauce by boiling pineapple juice, teriyaki sauce and soy sauce together.
I have made this several times and it never disappoints ! Thank you, Thank you. And for all those SPAM haters, you just don’t know what your missing
GARLIC. I would definitely add garlic.