Spam Oil Pasta: A Simple Yet Delicious Homemade Delight
Spam Oil Pasta: A Simple Yet Delicious Homemade Delight
Let’s Make Spam Oil Pasta Easily!
I had some Spam from a gift, so I decided to make an oil pasta using it instead of bacon! It’s perfectly savory and seasoned just right.
Ingredients- Spaghetti pasta, enough for 2 servings (about the size of two 500-won coins)
- 1 small can of Spam
- 4 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt (for boiling pasta)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1/2 onion
- A handful of sliced garlic or 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 handful of King oyster mushrooms (optional)
- A pinch of Korean green chili pepper (optional)
- A little parsley flakes
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the spaghetti pasta and about 1 teaspoon of salt to season the pasta water. Cook the pasta according to package directions, but aim for about 1-2 minutes less than the recommended time to achieve an ‘al dente’ texture.
Step 2
Prepare the garlic for the pasta’s fragrant base. If you have whole garlic cloves, slice them thinly. If using minced garlic for convenience, prepare about 2 tablespoons. Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over low heat. Add the sliced or minced garlic and sauté gently until fragrant. It’s crucial to develop a nice garlic aroma without burning the garlic.
Step 3
As the garlic starts to turn golden, it’s time to prepare the other ingredients. Dice the Spam into small cubes or your preferred bite-sized pieces, about 5mm thick. If using King oyster mushrooms, trim the ends and gently tear them into smaller pieces (this is optional). Thinly slice the onion.
Step 4
Once the garlic aroma is prominent in the pan, add the sliced onion and torn King oyster mushrooms before the garlic burns. Sauté the vegetables over medium heat until they become translucent, allowing their natural sweetness to develop.
Step 5
Sprinkle about two small pinches of salt over the sautéing vegetables to lightly season them. Since Spam is already salty, it’s best to season lightly at this stage.
Step 6
Once the vegetables are partially cooked, add the diced Spam to the pan and sauté it along with the vegetables. Cook until the Spam is lightly browned and its savory flavor infuses the oil.
Step 7
For an extra layer of flavor, add a small pinch of Korean green chili pepper. Adjust the amount according to your spice preference. The green chili adds a delightful savory note and prevents the pasta from being too rich, balancing the overall taste.
Step 8
Once the pasta is cooked to al dente, drain it and add it directly to the pan with the sautéed ingredients. At this point, add about 4 tablespoons of the pasta cooking water (pasta water). This starchy water helps to emulsify the sauce, creating a smoother consistency and binding the ingredients together with the pasta.
Step 9
Now, toss everything together well. Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Just before turning off the heat, drizzle another 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over the pasta to enhance its glossiness and flavor.
Step 10
Transfer the well-mixed Spam oil pasta to a serving plate. Garnish with parsley flakes and a sprinkle of black pepper, if desired. Your delicious homemade Spam oil pasta is ready to be enjoyed!
