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The Lonely Legacy of Spam
food52 ^ | 12/18/2020 | eric kim

Posted on 12/18/2020 8:54:25 PM PST by mylife

“Spam is the ultimate loner food,” said the chef Esther Choi, who lives in a one-bedroom by herself in New York City. Working late hours to keep the lights on at all of her restaurants, Ms. Yoo and two Mŏkbar locations (with one more on the way), Choi doesn’t get to cook meals at home for herself very often. But when she does, she turns to the simple things: fried Spam, eggs, and Hetbahn, a single serving of Korean microwavable rice. “Even though I’m a chef and I can make anything in the world,” she said, “when I’m by myself, those are the things I want to eat.”

This is a common fugue for many Asian Americans: Spam, eggs, and rice. The nostalgic valances that stem from that salty, pink block of luncheon meat go way back for some of us, not least because it represents a very specific experience: what it was like growing up in America with immigrant parents. Choi remembers, for instance, only eating Spam when her mom and dad were out for the night, usually at work. On such evenings, she and her sister were in charge of feeding themselves and their younger brother. Spam was an obvious choice, not least because it was so easy to heat: Just slice the block into thin rectangles and sear in a dry pan until crispy on both sides, like bacon. (No oil needed. There’s plenty of fat in the product itself.)

(Excerpt) Read more at food52.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Food; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: food; spam
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1 posted on 12/18/2020 8:54:25 PM PST by mylife
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To: mylife

spam in a can


2 posted on 12/18/2020 8:55:32 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not Averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: mylife

I get spam every day.


3 posted on 12/18/2020 8:55:43 PM PST by crusty old prospector
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To: mylife

4 posted on 12/18/2020 8:56:37 PM PST by DoodleBob (Gravity's waiting period is about 9.8 m/s^2)
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To: crusty old prospector

Consider this to be spam...


5 posted on 12/18/2020 8:57:51 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: mylife

My computer hates Spam.


6 posted on 12/18/2020 8:58:51 PM PST by Paladin2
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Quiet frankly when its cheap, I put it in the pantry


7 posted on 12/18/2020 8:59:18 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: mylife

I am reminded of the John Wayne movie ISLAND IN THE SKY in which downed flyers in the Arctic get a food drop. The first thing they do is rummage through the packet, find the SPAM and throw it just as far away as they can.

Personally I like Spam.


8 posted on 12/18/2020 8:59:34 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar
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To: mylife

I usually bake the spam in an oven for about twenty minutes. No muss. No fuss.


9 posted on 12/18/2020 9:01:57 PM PST by Mr. N. Wolfe
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

I’d toss the ham and lima beans after I ate the ham.
add fire to the spam...


10 posted on 12/18/2020 9:02:03 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: Mr. N. Wolfe

Baked Spam?


11 posted on 12/18/2020 9:05:30 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar
Spam is good but I like salty foods.

Do not like any of the flavors though. And turkey spam is a crime against God and Man.

When you are out for a winter hike spam and eggs are a tasty way to get you started.

12 posted on 12/18/2020 9:07:17 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Dear Clare, The awkward time is almost over. Love, Normal Americans)
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To: mylife

But I’m hungry. I could dig some spam nachos right now.


13 posted on 12/18/2020 9:08:26 PM PST by crusty old prospector
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To: mylife
Cheese and Cheese at Food Terminal in Atlanta.

Tomato-braised rice, egg, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, smoked bacon, grilled spam, fresh corn, red onion, fried shallots, spring onions, and bell peppers

It's fantastic.

14 posted on 12/18/2020 9:10:23 PM PST by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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To: crusty old prospector

I got a yen for the stuff in hawaii, ever had spam sushi?


15 posted on 12/18/2020 9:10:36 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: mylife

Spam is yummy❣


16 posted on 12/18/2020 9:11:02 PM PST by TianaHighrider (God bless President Trump. Prayers for PDJT and his loyal supporters.)
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To: FreedomPoster

Looks Mocolicious


17 posted on 12/18/2020 9:12:14 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar
Personally I like Spam.

Hey, it tastes pretty good and cane be used for any meal or snack. What's not to like?

18 posted on 12/18/2020 9:18:40 PM PST by JimRed (TERM LIMITS, NOW! Build the Wall Faster! TRUTH is the new HATE SPEECH.)
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To: mylife

There is a restaurant here in Franklin called LL Hawaiian that has spam sushi and spam poke bowls.


19 posted on 12/18/2020 9:22:11 PM PST by Fledermaus (The Republican Party is DEAD. Rot in hell ALL of them!)
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To: Fledermaus

It’s weird and good


20 posted on 12/18/2020 9:24:48 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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