It’s December 26 and everyone is more than a little tired of ham. Small problem, however. You bought a 15 pound and there is quite a bit leftover. Here are recipes that will use up that leftover ham in new and delicious ways.
Apple Ham sandwich spread: In the food processor, grind ham with cored, peeled apples and several stalks of celery. Blend ground ham with mayonnaise and celery seed. Spread on sandwich bread and top with fresh sliced cucumbers.
Ham bone bean soup: You can never really get all the ham off from the bone and it’s a shame to waste that good soup stock potential. Put the ham bone in a kettle covered with water. Toss in a bag of rinsed, sorted dried beans. I have a penchant for Hambeens 15 Bean Soup, but just about any kind will do. Set that kettle to boil on medium-low for a good two hours to soften the beans and cook the meat off from the ham bone. After two hours, reduce heat and add one stalk cleaned, sliced celery, one large chopped onion, one pound scrubbed, sliced carrots and several large bay leaves. Add one teaspoon ground pepper. Let the kettle simmer until beans are tender. Remove ham bones which will be darn near clean by now. If you don’t care for beans, omit them and add several pared, diced potatoes when you add the other vegetables. Add a teaspoon of dill weed.
Scalloped potatoes: Scrub and slice 6-8 large cooking potatoes. Spray a glass baking dish with cooking oil. Place a layer of potatoes in dish. Arrange ham over potatoes. Dot with butter slices. Sprinkle two T. of flour, chopped onions, dill weed and black pepper over potatoes. Make several layers. Pour one and one half cup of milk over potatoes. Cover baking dish and bake at 400 for about an hour. Potatoes are done when they are tender and sauce has thickened. For Au gratin potatoes: follow procedure except add one half cup of finely shredded cheddar cheese and one T. Parmesan cheese to each layer (sprinkled over top).
Diced Ham topping: Cube leftover ham and freeze. Use as a quick soup add-in, Chef’s Salad or pizza topping. You can also add one cup of ham cubes and grated cheese to bread using your breadmaker. Use whatever setting you normally would for adding nuts or fruit to bread. Add several dashes of dill weed and onion powder to your bread to make a piquant delicious supper bread.
Ham Stuffed Squash: Halve and clean acorn squash (one half per diner). Fill cavity with ham cubes, raisins, apples and one pat butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake in covered glass dish, stuffing side up. Fill pan with 1/2 inch of water.
For more great recipes, visit my blog at www.greatfood4u.blogspot.com . For more holiday ideas, visit me at www.thechristmasseason.blogspot.com. Bon Apetit!
