Classic Shoyu Musubi

Spam Musubi

Source

Food and Wine

Yield

6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sushi rice, rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice wine vinegar
  • ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • One 12-ounce can Spam–cut crosswise into 6 slices, can washed and reserved (see Notes)
  • 3 sheets of nori, halved crosswise
  • 1½ teaspoons furikake (Japanese seasoning mix)

Instructions

In a small saucepan, cover the rice with 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand covered for 20 minutes.
In a small microwavable bowl, combine the vinegar with the granulated sugar; microwave until warm, about 20 seconds. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Pourr the vinegar mixture over the rice and toss to combine.
In another small bowl, stir the soy sauce with the brown sugar and ¼ cup of water. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil. Add the Spam slices and cook over high heat, turning once, until browned, about 4 minutes. Add the soy sauce mixture to the skillet and cook over moderate heat, turning the slices once, until the Spam is glazed, about three minutes.
On a work surface, arrange a half sheet of nori with the longer side facing you. Set the clean spam can up right in the center of the nori sheet. Spoon 3 tablespoons of the warm sushi rice into the bottom of the can. Using the back of a spoon that’s been dipped in cold water, pack the rice in an even layer. Top with one slice of Spam and sprinkle with¼ teaspoon of the furikake. Carefully hold down the musubi and remove the spam can, leaving the musubi on the nori. Fold one end of the nori up over the rice. Using your fingertips, wet the other end of the nori and fold it up over the other side of the rice, pressing to adhere. Repeat with the remaining nori sheets, rice, Spam and furikake.
Using a moistened sharp knife, cut each roll crosswise into 4 pieces, wiping the knife with a damp towel between slices. Arrange the musubi on a platter and serve.

Notes

You will need the Spam can for this recipe. Using a can opener, remove both the top and the bottom of the can and remove the Spam. Wash and dry the can well before proceeding.