Spam & Eggs

I know, I know, SPAM? Again?

SPAM eggs and rice is said to be the most popular breakfast in Hawaii. Hawaii leads the U.S. in consumption meat product, a leftover from the fresh meat lean WWII days. So popular is "Hawaiian Steak" (Hawaiians consume six cans per capita a year) that even the big junk food chains have re-created regional favorites that use SPAM and offer them on their menus. SPAM masubi, available almost everywhere, is perhaps one of the most famous of the Hawaiian SPAM dishes.

One of the reasons for SPAM's popularity on the islands is probably at least partially due to its preparation. In Hawaii, rather than just plopping raw cold spam between two slices of wonder bread, SPAM in Hawaii is thoroughly cooked, often grilled. Thinly sliced, and pan fried for a crispy outside, salty SPAM becomes more like bacon than mushy, pink, canned meat product.

The preparation is as simple as it is tasty. All you need is a cup of cooked white rice per serving, scrambled eggs and a couple thin slices of SPAM fried on medium-heat in a non-stick skillet until crispy brown. Try it. It might surprise you.