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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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To: FreedomPoster

Is that on a tortilla? Or on fried cheese?


21 posted on 12/18/2020 9:27:28 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom ("Inside Every Progressive Is A Totalitarian Screaming To Get Out" -- David Horowitz)
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To: mylife

Rather have deviled ham


22 posted on 12/18/2020 9:28:58 PM PST by Bob434
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To: Bob434

Long time since I ate that.


23 posted on 12/18/2020 9:32:20 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: Bob434

24 posted on 12/18/2020 9:37:23 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: Fledermaus

I have one here in Concord. Spam everything.


25 posted on 12/18/2020 9:46:54 PM PST by eyedigress (Trump is my President!)
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To: mylife

I prefer Treet. Less salty.


26 posted on 12/18/2020 9:47:48 PM PST by Greg123456 (Massive voter fraud)
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To: mylife

We bought a few because folks went nuts during the pandemic emptying shelves- and nothing much was left- - buying one or two here and there- took a bit to get used to it again- but one small can makes about 3-4 sandwhiches-


27 posted on 12/18/2020 9:48:20 PM PST by Bob434
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To: mylife

Mmmmm. Spam musubi.

Spam with Bacon is wonderful.


28 posted on 12/18/2020 9:49:05 PM PST by thecodont
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To: mylife

29 posted on 12/18/2020 9:50:08 PM PST by clearcarbon
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To: Greg123456

Add rice, or eggs it cuts the salt


30 posted on 12/18/2020 10:03:47 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: mylife
Spam about Spam.

You don't see that everyday.

31 posted on 12/18/2020 10:12:04 PM PST by Pajamajan ( PRAY FOR OUR NATION. I will never be a p£peaceful slave in a new Socialist America.)
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To: mylife

Growing up, we had fried Spam sandwiches with a slice of red onion and mustard!
It was yummy!
I never worried about the fat content...I was just a kid.


32 posted on 12/18/2020 10:22:17 PM PST by Guenevere (When the foundations are being destroyed what can the righteous do)
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To: mylife

Spam is good to acquire in these uncertain times.


33 posted on 12/18/2020 10:29:37 PM PST by elcid1970 ("Pres. Trump doesn't wear glasses. That's because he's got 2020.")
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To: mylife

We have several cases of Spam in our pantry. Also cases of Tuna, Ham and Vienna sausages. Meat will be hard to come by in an emergency situation.


34 posted on 12/18/2020 10:41:17 PM PST by yuleeyahoo (The nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one. Hamilton)
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To: mylife

Fried eggs and SPAM is one of the loveliest meals ever. I need to go out and get some SPAM and grill some up. It’s been well over a year or two since I thought about it. Thanks for the reminder.


35 posted on 12/18/2020 10:45:56 PM PST by lefty-lie-spy (Stay Metal)
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To: mylife

.


36 posted on 12/18/2020 10:47:04 PM PST by redinIllinois (Pro-life, accountant, gun-totin' Grandma - multi issue voter)
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To: mylife

Hey, Spam with gravy in the middle of the El Peten/Tikal Peninsula jungle was heaven-sent.

At least we didn’t have to eat the run-over “woes” frogs who got squashed during mating season. Then again, they did bear a strange resemblance to Tofu with ketchup.


37 posted on 12/18/2020 11:27:11 PM PST by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: Bob434

Yes and vienna sausages


38 posted on 12/19/2020 12:44:58 AM PST by joshua c (President Elect joshua_c. Hey if Joe can do it.)
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To: MadMax, the Grinning Reaper

“Tofu with ketchup”
My heart goes out to you.


39 posted on 12/19/2020 12:45:40 AM PST by Lean-Right (Eat More Moose)
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To: All

I’m another of those weirdos who likes spam. Fried spam and cheese sandwiches. Yum.

Or run it through a meat grinder (again), mix it with some mayonnaise or salad dressing with a dab of mustard, a bit of sweet pickle relish and some sliced celery if you have it; ‘spam salad’. Makes a great sammich. I could eat five pounds of that a week. I think I’ll make some tomorrow.

Or even dice it, fry it, and crack a couple of eggs on top, and scramble it, with or without cheese.


40 posted on 12/19/2020 1:53:14 AM PST by LegendHasIt
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