Spam musubi is a popular Hawaiian snack that combines the savory flavors of spam with the sweetness of sticky rice, all wrapped in a sheet of nori (seaweed). This dish has become a staple in Hawaiian cuisine and is loved by many for its simplicity and delicious taste. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make this iconic dish at home.
Ingredients for Spam Musubi:
- 1 can (12 oz) of spam
- 2 cups of sushi rice
- 2 1/2 cups of water
- 1/2 cup of rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 5 sheets of nori (seaweed)
- Soy sauce, for serving
How to Make Spam Musubi:
- Start by preparing the sushi rice. Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water until the water runs clear. This will help remove excess starch and prevent the rice from becoming too sticky. Drain the rice well.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rice and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.
- While the rice is cooking, prepare the seasoning mixture. In a small bowl, combine the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir until the sugar and salt are dissolved.
- When the rice is done cooking, transfer it to a large bowl and gently fold in the seasoning mixture. Be careful not to mash the rice. Let the rice cool to room temperature.
- While the rice is cooling, prepare the spam. Cut the spam into 1/4-inch thick slices. In a large skillet, cook the spam slices over medium heat until they are browned and slightly crispy on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- To assemble the musubi, place a sheet of nori on a clean work surface. Place a musubi mold or a small rectangular container on top of the nori. Spoon a layer of rice into the mold, pressing it down gently to compact it.
- Place a slice of spam on top of the rice. Spoon another layer of rice over the spam, pressing it down gently to compact it.
- Remove the mold and wrap the nori tightly around the rice and spam, using a small amount of water to seal the edge of the nori.
- Repeat the process with the remaining rice, spam, and nori sheets.
- Once all the musubi are assembled, cut them into bite-sized pieces using a sharp knife.
- Serve the musubi with soy sauce for dipping.
About the Main Ingredients:
- Spam: Spam is a canned meat product made from pork shoulder and ham. It has a salty and savory flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the rice and the umami flavor of the nori.
- Sushi Rice: Sushi rice is a short-grain rice that becomes sticky when cooked. It is seasoned with a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, giving it a slightly sweet and tangy flavor.
- Nori: Nori is a type of edible seaweed that is commonly used in Japanese cuisine. It adds a salty and umami-rich flavor to the musubi and also helps to hold the rice and spam together.
Enjoy your homemade spam musubi!
