Spam, a canned meat product, might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you're planning your keto meals. However, it can be a surprisingly versatile and convenient ingredient for creating delicious and satisfying low-carb dishes. This article explores some creative and tasty spam keto recipes, emphasizing how to maximize flavor and enjoy this pantry staple.
Keto Spam Meatballs: A SPAM-TASTIC Delight
For those seeking a unique and flavorful keto-friendly option, Spam meatballs are a must-try. These meatballs incorporate Spam as the meat base, combined with other ingredients to enhance the taste and texture.
Ingredients and Preparation
To prepare these keto Spam meatballs, you'll need:
- Spam (original flavor)
- Pineapple chunks (for a hint of sweetness)
- Cheese (for added flavor and binding)
- Marinara sauce (for serving)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
Start by mashing the Spam in a large bowl until it's finely ground. You can also use a food processor for this step. Add the remaining meatball ingredients, except for the marinara and mozzarella, and mix thoroughly. It's crucial to avoid adding salt, as Spam is already quite salty.
Firmly pack the mixture into about 18 meatballs. Heat oil in a nonstick skillet and cook the meatballs over low heat until golden brown. Be gentle when turning them, as they can fall apart easily until fully cooked. Avoid using too much oil, which can cause them to disintegrate.
Read also: Unpacking Spam's Nutritional Profile
Place the cooked meatballs in an ovenproof dish, spoon marinara sauce over each one, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starting to brown.
Serving Suggestions
These keto Spam meatballs taste great by themselves, offering a salty and slightly sweet flavor from the pineapple. However, for the full experience, serve them with marinara sauce and melted cheese. Whether you love or hate Spam, you might be surprised at how delicious these meatballs are.
Spam Musubi with Deviled Eggs: A Hawaiian-Southern Fusion
Another creative way to enjoy Spam on a keto diet is by combining it with deviled eggs in a musubi-inspired dish. This recipe blends Hawaiian and Southern flavors for a unique and satisfying snack or appetizer.
Traditional Spam Musubi
Traditional Spam musubi consists of pan-fried Spam, scrambled egg, and rice wrapped in nori (seaweed). This dish originated in Hawaii during World War II and remains a popular part of Hawaiian cuisine.
Ingredients and Preparation
To make Spam musubi with deviled eggs, you'll need:
Read also: The Truth About Spam on Carnivore
- Spam
- Eggs
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Onion
- Dill relish (use sweet dill relish and omit sugar for keto friendliness)
- Salt
- Nori (seaweed)
Start by preparing the deviled eggs. Boil the eggs, then shock them in ice water and peel them carefully. Halve the eggs and remove the yolks. Combine the yolks with mayo, mustard, onion, relish, salt, and sugar (if using) until the filling is smooth and creamy. Dollop the yolk filling back into the egg white shells.
Next, prepare the Spam. Slice it into ¼-inch thick slices, then cut each slice into strips lengthwise. Fry the strips in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat until browned and crispy, about 5 minutes. Dust with black pepper to taste.
To assemble the musubi, place a Spam strip on each deviled egg half. Wrap a nori strip around the egg and Spam, sealing it with a dab of water. Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge for later.
Smoked Salmon Alternative
If Spam isn't your preferred ingredient, smoked salmon makes a fantastic alternative. It provides the same salty, savory bite with a touch of smoky elegance. When choosing smoked salmon, opt for varieties without artificial red dyes like Red 3 and Red 40.
Keto Spam Egg Roll Bowl: A Quick and Flavorful Meal
For a quick, easy, and flavorful keto meal, Spam egg roll bowls are an excellent choice. This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a satisfying dish that's perfect for a budget-friendly keto diet.
Read also: Spam on Keto: Yay or Nay?
The Key to Crispy Spam
The key to a great Spam egg roll bowl is getting the Spam as crispy as possible. Straight out of the can, Spam may not seem very appetizing, but once it's sautéed and develops a crust, it transforms into a delicious ingredient.
Ingredients and Preparation
To make a keto Spam egg roll bowl, you'll need:
- Spam
- Shredded cabbage
- Garlic
- Onion
- Sesame oil
- Gluten-free soy sauce
- Butter
- Optional garnishes: sunny-side-up egg, sriracha, sesame seeds, scallions
Slice the Spam into ¼-inch strips and crisp on all sides in a pan with butter for about 4-5 minutes. Remove the Spam from the pan, leaving as much of the rendered fat as possible.
Add shredded cabbage to the pan and sauté for about 2 minutes. Then, add garlic, onion, sesame oil, and gluten-free soy sauce. Continue to cook for about 2 more minutes, then fold the Spam back into the pan.
Serve the mixture in a bowl and garnish with a sunny-side-up egg, sriracha, sesame seeds, and scallions, if desired.
Cabbage Cooking Tips
When making egg roll bowls, it's important to avoid overcooking the cabbage. Cabbage cooks quickly and continues to cook even after being removed from the heat. Undercooking the cabbage slightly ensures it retains a light crunch. For meal prepping, undercook the cabbage even more to account for reheating.
Protein Substitutions
If you're not a fan of Spam, you can substitute it with other proteins such as ground pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, or scallops. Cubed boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast also work well.
The History and Popularity of Spam
Spam was created by Hormel Foods Corporation in 1937. The name "Spam" was coined during a dinner party hosted by Jay Hormel, where guests were offered a free drink for suggesting a name for the new canned meat product.
During World War II, Hormel shipped millions of cans of Spam to soldiers fighting abroad. The product became a staple for soldiers, even those in the Russian army when supply chains were disrupted.
After the war, restrictions were placed on Hawaii's deep-sea fishing industry, which affected many Asian Americans. Spam helped prevent starvation due to these fishing restrictions and other food shortages. Today, Hawaiians consume over 7 million cans of Spam annually, second only to Guam in per capita consumption.