# Spam (plus characters for discourse) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [December 6, 2021, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558 "2021-12-06T00:16:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/21 "2021-12-09T17:30:51Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Spam is a nice addition to fried rice. This. I used to start by frying day-old rice, clearing a space in the center and continuing with the other ingredients. But I saw a variation online that I like better: 1. Beat egg and mix with rice. 2. Sauté carrot and onion until soft. 3. Add raw, peeled shrimp and cook until color changes. 4. Add egg-rice mixture and stir until egg sets. 5. Add frozen peas and cooked ham. I’d fry the Spam first and set it aside so it’s ready for that last step. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2021, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/22 "2021-12-09T17:42:03Z")
I’ll have settle for seconding musubi and atop fried rice. I did use it once to make a Denver omelet that fooled my mother-in-law who thought it was genuine ham. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2021, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/23 "2021-12-09T17:46:05Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I’ll have settle for seconding musubi and atop fried rice. I did use it once to make a Denver omelet that **fooled my mother-in-law who thought it was genuine ham.** - Did her taste buds get shot off in the war? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2021, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/24 "2021-12-09T18:01:45Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Did her taste buds get shot off in the war? Quite the opposite! She’s a super-taster and **very** picky eater. She hates anything with flavor, orders baked potatoes without salt, etc. I guess diced Spam, when pan- seared and mixed with whipped egg, onion and bell pepper, the difference is hard to detect. Maybe she was distracted by arguing over the day’s planned family activities and bullying her grandson (my nephew). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2021, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/25 "2021-12-09T18:18:26Z")
Dad’s specialty was SPAM Salad Sandwiches. - Run a can of SPAM through your meat grinder. - Add sweet pickle relish and Miracle Whip (Yes, MW – Reason follows.) - Chill in the fridge. - Serve on soft white bread. OK, ‘SPAM is bad enough! You want me to add Miracle Whip to it? WTFO?’ some people might say. The reason you must use Miracle Whip is that SPAM is very fatty and salty. Mayonnaise is also fatty and salty. They don’t compliment each other. Miracle Whip, though often used in place of mayonnaise on sandwiches, bills itself a ‘salad dressing’. Miracle Whip is sweet, not salty. It also doesn’t taste like fat. Miracle Whip’s non-fatty sweetness balances out SPAM’s fatty saltiness. If you use mayonnaise instead, you’ll be disappointed. (SPAM salad is the only thing I use MW for.) Dad would have to cajole people into trying a SPAM salad sandwich. Once they did, they were like, ‘So… Got any more?’ And of course, SPAM musubi and SPAM fried rice. And SPAM and eggs. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/26 "2021-12-09T18:22:40Z")
Simple- chop Spam into small pieces, brown in the fry pan, while browning get six or so eggs, beat with black pepper (you do not need salt), pour over browned Spam. Scrambled eggs with Spam. ---
**Author:** ![Jungian\_Camisole1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jungian_camisole1/32/3646_2.png) [@Jungian\_Camisole1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jungian_Camisole1)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/27 "2021-12-10T00:47:10Z")
Fry Spam and onions until caramelized, then add to a basic mac and cheese. Delicious! ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/28 "2021-12-10T04:19:50Z")
Spam sushi. Both nigiri, the type most are familiar with and maki, rolled sushi. Also Spam tempura. In Hawaii, our McDonalds serve Spam, eggs and rice for breakfast. My Mom would bake Spam with orange juice and pineapple for non-special occasions, for special occasions, we had canned ham. I didn’t know whole ham was real until the '80’s. My favorite thing to eat Spam with is hamburger stew. Hamburger with frozen mixed veggies, tomato sauce and finished with creamed corn. The creamed corn gives it a slight sweetness (which my ex couldn’t stand) that’s offset perfectly with the salty Spam. I haven’t tried it yet, but thinking about it, Spam would probably go well with chili. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/29 "2021-12-10T05:00:12Z")
> [@Didi44](#): > > The creamed corn gives it a slight sweetness… that’s offset perfectly with the salty Spam. See? See? ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/30 "2021-12-10T16:19:44Z")
Seen, but not tried. Spam Katsu. Spam dipped in egg wash, coated with panko and deep fried. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/31 "2021-12-10T17:01:24Z")
> [@Far\_M](#): > > Haven’t had it, but a must in budae jjigae, Korean Army stew, U.S., not Korea. > > Also, in tteokbokki, Korean rice cakes with spicy sauce. I was going to recommend those! Also, _spam & kimchi-fried rice_: - Heat a little sesame oil in pan - Add some diced spam - Add rice (best is the dried out rice from the edges of the rice cooker) - Add the juicy dregs from a kimchi jar Korean comfort food. Spam is the perfect complement to spicy-sour kimchi. For those who won’t eat kimchi: _spam kimbap_: - Take a sheet of roasted seaweed - Add thin layer of sticky rice - Along one edge, add rows of julienne-cut spam, carrot, Korean radish, fish-cake, avocado, cheese, etc - Roll up and slice Or, _Hawaiian sliders_: - Pan-fry slices of spam (cut thin for more crispy, thick for more juiciness) - Cut a King’s Hawaiian roll bun-wise - Add slice of spam, slice of cheese, dab of ketchup or bbq sauce For a more American dish: _mac & spam_: - Boil macaroni - Grill diced spam - Drain macaroni - Add spam - Optionally add cheese sauce ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/32 "2021-12-10T17:04:55Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Dad’s specialty was SPAM Salad Sandwiches. > > - Run a can of SPAM through your meat grinder. > - Add sweet pickle relish and Miracle Whip (Yes, MW – Reason follows.) > - Chill in the fridge. > - Serve on soft white bread. I will try this. (I do not like mayonnaise, but do like Miracle Whip.) Now I’m thinking of doing some devilled eggs with spam added into the yolk spread. They say die doing what you love… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/33 "2021-12-10T17:07:12Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > > > - Run a can of SPAM through your meat grinder. > > I will try this. Oh… Be sure to take the SPAM out of the can first. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/34 "2021-12-10T17:58:28Z")
I suppose you could try doing a sort of hash: sweat some chopped onion, add diced potatoes and diced Spam to the pan till they’re browned, serve it up with the steamed green veg of your choice. Or if you really need to hide the Spam, dice it and add it to any sort of minestrone-style soup: start with some onion, some stock and a can of tomatoes, a handful of pieces of pasta, chopped/shredded veg of your choice, and the Spam and cook it for quite a while. It’ll freeze too. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/35 "2021-12-10T23:32:32Z")
SPAM is apparently at record popularity: > **[Spam sales hit record high for seventh year in a row](https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59603921)** > > Hormel, which makes the iconic brand, plans to further expand the range of Spam products in 2023. I thought the article might mention new recipes, but only lists SPAM musubi and budae jjigae, both of which were mentioned above. It does at least confirm that pork is “the main ingredient in Spam”, though it fails to mention the percentage, or precisely what parts of the pig are involved. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/36 "2021-12-11T00:19:36Z")
Made the news here, too. > **[Hormel CEO on record Spam sales: 'Who is not eating Spam?'](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hormel-ceo-on-record-spam-sales-who-is-not-eating-spam-192036468.html)** > > Hormel CEO Jim Snee chats with Yahoo Finance Live on why Spam is still so hot, and what he plans to do with Planters. ETA: > [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > It does at least confirm that pork is “the main ingredient in Spam”, though it fails to mention the percentage, or precisely what parts of the pig are involved. > **[What is SPAM® Brand? | About SPAM® Brand](https://www.spam.com/what-is-spam-brand)** > > Ever wondered what is SPAM®? Learn about SPAM® ingredients and how it became a meal-time favorite for easy dinner ideas and family meals! ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/37 "2021-12-11T00:31:50Z")
The link claims the meat is “pork with ham.” That phrasing is unsettling to me. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/38 "2021-12-11T00:37:25Z")
It shouldn’t be. AIUI, ham is a leg cut that has been cured; while pork is uncured meat. You could probably make your own SPAM by grinding a pork butt and some ham, and adding salt, sugar, potato starch, and water. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/39 "2021-12-11T00:54:33Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > while pork is uncured meat The USDA simply claims that [Pork is the meat from hogs, or domestic swine](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat/fresh-pork-farm-table) without requiring it to be cured or uncured. They also claim that [Ham is the cured leg of pork. Fresh ham is an uncured leg of pork.](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat/hams-and-food-safety). Hormel doesn’t say “fresh ham,” but since the process itself is a type of curing (adding salt and sodium nitrate), they probably get away with just calling it ham. Or they use cured ham, or whatever scraps are cheapest at the time. All that said, it’s not clear that SPAM contains more than homeopathic quantities of leg meat. And the implication that it is somehow distinct from pork is odd (not all pork is ham, but all ham is pork). Anyway, I have nothing against SPAM. I just find their phrasing amusing. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2021, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558/40 "2021-12-12T04:30:38Z")
It’s apparently discontinued, but has anyone tried Spam Spread? [https://www.google.com/search?q=spam+spread&rlz=1C1ASVC\_enUS940US940&oq=spam+spread&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i60l2j69i61.7168j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8](https://www.google.com/search?q=spam+spread&rlz=1C1ASVC_enUS940US940&oq=spam+spread&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i60l2j69i61.7168j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) I tried it when I was young, thinking “Hey, I like mayo on my Spam sandwich. This should be the same thing!”. Nope! I suspect this is product from hell that Spam haters, hate! On to better things. Hawaiian style chow funn. Just salt and pepper for seasoning, Spam, carrots, cabbage and onions. Dryer than your usual Chinese style. Edit: You would think this would be a logical choice, but I can’t stand Spam in my grilled cheese sandwich. Too salty. Thinking about it, it may be okay if I used unsalted butter or mayo. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-plus-characters-for-discourse/955558.md?page=3)