Recipes: Spam Musubi

SPAM MUSUBI

Makes 8 to 10.

Note: Nori is dried seaweed; find it in your supermarket's Asian section. Furikake seasoning is made of dried fish and more; find it at Asian specialty stores. This recipe uses a musubi press (ranges in price from $2.50 to $11 on Amazon; see www.startribune.com/a886). But you could try anything with a small, rectangular well (about 2 inches by 4 inches, like a butter dish). You can also shape the rice with your palms; just wet them first to keep the rice from sticking. I like to use Kokuho Rose brand rice. From "Hawai'i Cooks With Spam," by Muriel Miura.

• 2 c. short-grain sushi-style rice, uncooked

• 1 (12-oz.) can Spam, cut lengthwise into 1/2-in. slices

• 1 to 2 tsp. sugar

• 2 tbsp. rice vinegar

• 3 to 4 sheets nori, each sheet cut into thirds (see Note)

• Furikake seasoning, optional (see Note)

Directions

Cook the rice according to package directions (about 1 cup rice to 11/4 cups water), either in a rice cooker or on the stovetop. Set aside cooked rice.

While the rice is cooking, fry the Spam slices in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat, about 3 minutes on each side. Set aside.

Lay one piece of nori shiny side down horizontally and set the musubi mold down vertically in the center.

Add about 1/4 cup cooked rice into the musubi mold and layer 1 piece of Spam, then another 1/4 cup rice.

Use the press to push down and shape the rice and meat together, then pull up to remove the mold. Press together again.

If you're using the furikake seasoning, sprinkle it on top of rice, then pull up both sides of the nori and wrap the rice completely. You may want to press a few grains of rice on one side to help "seal" your little bundle. Repeat until you run out of rice or Spam.

Nutrition information per each of 10 servings:

Carbohydrates15 gSaturated fat4 gCalcium7 mg

Protein6 gCholesterol21 mgDietary fiber1 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 bread/starch, 1/2 high-fat meat, 1 fat.

MINNESOTA SPAM BREAKFAST PIE

Serves 8.

• 23/4 c. flour

• 11/2 sticks (6 oz.) butter

• 4 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded

• Pinch salt and pepper

• 2 egg yolks, divided

• 1 (12 oz.) can Spam, cut into 1/2-in. slices

• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened, cubed

• 1/3 small onion, chopped

• 4 eggs, lightly beaten

Directions

In a separate bowl, mix the cheese, salt, pepper, 1 egg yolk, and 4 tablespoons water. Add to the flour mixture, adding up to 2 additional tablespoons water if necessary, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish. Roll out chilled dough to slightly less than 1/4 inch thick, to make 2 pie crusts. Cover the bottom of the pie dish with 1 crust; save second for later.

Place Spam on pie crust. Spread the cream cheese over the Spam. Sprinkle onions over the cream cheese. Add the beaten eggs.

Cover with the second pie crust and seal edges. Use any extra dough for decorating top of pie. Brush the crust with the remaining egg yolk. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

Nutrition information per each of 8 servings:

Carbohydrates36 gSaturated fat36 gCalcium140 mg

Protein19 gCholesterol302 mgDietary fiber1 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 2 bread/starch, 1/2 other carb, 2 high-fat meat, 10 fat.

SAM CHOY'S PINEAPPLE SPAM

Serves 3 to 4.

• 1 (12-oz.) can Spam, cubed

• 1 c. pineapple, cubed

• 1/2 c. soy sauce

• Sliced ginger root to taste

• 1 c. brown sugar

Directions

In a saucepan, combine the cubed Spam, pineapple, soy sauce, ginger, brown sugar and pineapple juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer and heat through.

Nutrition information per each of 4 servings:

Calories480Fat26 gSodium2,905 mg

Carbohydrates50 gSaturated fat9 gCalcium51 mg

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1/2 fruit, 3 other carb, 2 high-fat meat, 2 fat.

ISLAND SPAM

Serves 4.

Note: This recipe is from Hawai'i's Spam Jam, which is held annually in Waikiki.

• 1 (12-oz.) can Spam, cubed

• 1 garlic clove, chopped

• 11/2 c. water

• 1 c. uncooked white rice

• 1 tbsp. chopped parsley

• 1 bay leaf, finely crushed

• Ground red pepper

Directions

In a large skillet, lightly brown Spam, onion and garlic. Stir in water, rice, parsley, bay leaf and black pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 15 minutes or until rice is cooked. Sprinkle with red pepper before serving.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories470Fat26 gSodium1,103 mg

Protein15 gCholesterol53 mgDietary fiber1 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 bread/starch, 2 carb, 2 high-fat meat, 2 fat.

SPAM CARAMEL ROLLS

Makes 8.

Note: This won first place at last year's Minnesota State Fair and is a finalist in the Great American Spam Championship kids competition. From Ben Schliemann, age 8, of Minneapolis.

• 1 (12-oz.) can Spam, cubed

• 1 stick (4 oz.) butter

• 3/4 c. brown sugar

• 1 (3-oz.) pkg. vanilla pudding (not instant)

Directions

Separate the crescent rolls into 8 triangles. Put some Spam on each of the 8 rolls. Roll up each crescent, ending at tip of triangle. Put rolls in a baking pan.

Place the butter, brown sugar and dry pudding mix in a saucepan and melt. Bring to a boil; pour over rolls.

Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories430Fat29 gSodium1,014 mg

Protein8 gCholesterol57 mgDietary fiber0 g