Savory Fried Rice with Spam and Egg
How to Make Spam Fried Rice: A Simple and Delicious Recipe
Learn how to make delicious Spam fried rice with eggs and vegetables. This simple yet satisfying recipe is perfect for a quick and hearty meal.
Fried Rice Ingredients
- 1/6 carrot (finely diced)
- 1 shiitake mushroom (finely diced)
- 1/2 green onion (chopped)
- 200g Spam (cubed into bite-sized pieces)
- 1.5 bowls cooked rice
- 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s prepare the ingredients for our delicious fried rice: the vegetables, eggs, and Spam. You can use any vegetables you have in your refrigerator. If you had zucchini, it would be a great addition, and even if you only have a small amount of carrot like in the picture, feel free to use more if you have it for a richer flavor.
Step 2
Finely chop the green onion. This will be used to create fragrant green onion oil, which is a fantastic base for fried rice.
Step 3
Even though there’s only a little bit of carrot, dice it very finely so it integrates well with the other ingredients. Fine dicing ensures the carrot is evenly distributed and adds a subtle sweetness and color to the rice.
Step 4
Dice the shiitake mushroom finely as well. The shiitake mushroom will add a wonderful umami depth to the fried rice.
Step 5
With all the vegetables finely diced, the preparation for the fried rice base is neatly complete.
Step 6
Now, let’s prepare the star of our dish, the Spam. Cut it into bite-sized pieces that are slightly larger than usual, especially if you’re cooking for children. Larger pieces provide a more satisfying texture and flavor with each bite.
Step 7
To make the Spam a little healthier, blanch it in hot water for about 5 minutes. This helps to remove some of the excess oil and preservatives. After blanching, drain it well. This step subtly reduces the saltiness and makes the Spam more palatable.
Step 8
Lightly beat the 2 eggs in a bowl until well combined. Make sure there are no streaks of white or yolk remaining, ensuring an even texture when cooked.
Step 9
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a wide skillet or wok (a griddle is also great for this!) over medium-low heat. Add the chopped green onions and gently sauté them to create fragrant green onion oil. Don’t rush this step; allow the onions to release their flavor into the oil. (Tip: You can add about 1 tablespoon of oil initially and add more later if the pan becomes too dry before the ingredients cook to prevent burning.)
Step 10
Once the green onion oil is fragrant, add the diced carrots and shiitake mushrooms. Increase the heat to medium and stir-fry until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Be careful not to burn them; medium heat is ideal for this stage.
Step 11
When the vegetables are partially cooked, add the blanched Spam. Stir-fry everything together, ensuring the Spam is lightly browned and well combined with the vegetables.
Step 12
Once the Spam and vegetables are cooked, create a well in the center of the pan. Pour the beaten eggs into the well and scramble them until they are just cooked through. Then, gently mix the scrambled eggs with the other ingredients.
Step 13
After incorporating the eggs, make another well in the center of the pan. Pour in the soy sauce (1.5 Tbsp) and let it sizzle and caramelize slightly for a moment before mixing it with the rest of the ingredients. This technique, similar to how Chinese stir-fried dishes are made, adds a delightful smoky flavor. (Tip: If using a regular frying pan, you can push the other ingredients to the side to create a space for the soy sauce to caramelize.)
Step 14
Add the cooked rice (1.5 bowls) to the pan. Stir-fry everything together, breaking up any clumps of rice with your spatula, ensuring the rice is evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
Step 15
A great tip for fluffy fried rice is to use two spatulas to ‘cut’ through the rice as you stir-fry, rather than pressing down. This breaks up any stubborn clumps and ensures each grain is separate and perfectly cooked. Continue to stir-fry until there are no visible clumps of rice. You can gently press down if needed to ensure the rice is thoroughly heated.
Step 16
Once the rice is well-fried and fluffy, turn off the heat. Drizzle in the sesame oil (1 Tbsp) and mix it through. The residual heat from the pan is sufficient to gently warm the sesame oil and release its aroma without burning it.
Step 17
Gently toss the rice with the sesame oil until evenly distributed. Spread the fried rice out evenly in the pan for a moment. This helps the rice grains become more distinct and gives it a delightful texture. Your delicious, flavorful Spam and egg fried rice is ready!
Step 18
While I personally enjoy fried rice with a higher proportion of vegetables and egg, today’s version truly highlights the deliciousness of Spam. Enjoy this hearty and flavorful Spam fried rice!
