Week-long Dinner Ideas:
1. Apple-Raisin Relish
2. Pineapple-Glazed Ham
3. Ham-Broccoli Pot Pie
4. Creamy Ham Casserole
5. Creole Jambalaya
The first time that I ventured to prepare a ham, I ended up buying a mega-size orb with not a clue
as to how much I needed, how long to bake it, or how to carve it. I've wised up since then after a
few talks with more seasoned cooks. If your experiences have been similar to mine, we're here to
ease your mind about tackling this cut of meat. Let us help you prepare a ham that's stellar enough
for an Easter buffet and so good left over that you won't mind savoring it again in our weeknight
dinner ideas.
Simple Mathematics
Wondering how much to buy? Plan to purchase a ham large enough to serve for both
dinner and multiple meals later. Say you want to serve eight people for Easter supper. Allotting two
to three servings per pound for a bone-in ham, you'll need to buy a 7- to 9-pound ham. After you
make a few sandwiches, you'll still have enough to prepare any of these recipes. You can even opt to
create your own specialty by tossing some ham into a pasta or green salad.
Which To Buy
Overall, we find the taste and texture of a bone-in ham to be the best. Besides, you've
got prime real estate underneath all that goodness--the ham bone. Save this premium ingredient for
your next pot of beans, greens, or soup.
You'll find half hams cut into shank and butt portions.
Though pricier, the butt portion offers more meat because there's not as much bone as in the shank.
Also available are spiral-sliced hams, which may be easier to serve, but you'll pay for this added
convenience. You can substitute a reduced-sodium ham in our recipes if you're watching your sodium
count.
