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Spam Rice Balls

Spam Rice Balls
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Spam Rice Balls are a simple yet flavorful dish combining savory, caramelized spam with perfectly sticky short-grain rice. These portable, comfort food bites are quick to prepare and can be customized with a variety of seasonings and fillings. Ideal as a snack, lunch, or picnic food, Spam Rice Balls deliver nostalgic and satisfying flavors with budget-friendly ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 can Spam (diced into small cubes)
  • 2 cups short-grain rice (uncooked)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 green onions (chopped)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Ingredients

  • Nori sheets (cut into strips for wrapping)
  • Sriracha or chili flakes (for spicy variation)
  • Cheddar or mozzarella cheese cubes (for stuffing)
  • Grilled tofu or tempeh (as a vegetarian substitute)
  • Chopped cilantro or basil (for herb-infused flavor)
  • Furikake seasoning (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Rice and Spam: Cook short-grain rice according to the package instructions until fully tender yet sticky enough to mold. While the rice cooks, dice the spam into small cubes and fry them in a pan with a splash of soy sauce and sesame oil until they are browned and caramelized.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Once the spam is cooked, gently fold it and the chopped green onions into the cooked rice. Mix thoroughly but carefully to maintain the rice’s sticky texture without crushing the grains.
  3. Form the Rice Balls: Lightly wet your hands to prevent sticking and shape the rice-spam mixture into compact balls or triangles. If using, wrap each rice ball with a strip of nori, pressing gently to secure.
  4. Final Touch: Optionally, lightly toast the rice balls in a dry pan over medium heat to crisp the outside and deepen the flavor, or serve immediately for a softer texture.

Notes

  • Use freshly cooked rice because warm rice sticks better and helps form sturdy rice balls.
  • Wet your hands lightly to prevent rice from sticking while shaping the balls.
  • Do not overmix the rice and spam; gently fold to keep rice grains intact and fluffy.
  • Chilling the rice mixture before shaping makes it easier to form tight balls.
  • Customize the amount of soy sauce and sesame oil to balance the flavor to your liking.

Nutrition

Keywords: spam rice balls, onigiri, easy snack, savory rice balls, portable meal, Hawaiian spam recipe, fusion snack

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/spam-rice-balls/