Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Corn Bread-Topped Ham Loaf

This recipe is adapted from a Better Homes and Gardens cookbook featuring hamburger and other ground meats. I didn't have some of the ingredients it called for (such as ground ham), and wanted to make a smaller amount for our smaller family. So I made a few adjustments here and there, and this is what I came up with. The fruity sauce and mildly sweet cornbread topping go really well with the savory ham loaf.
Corn Bread-Topped Ham Loaf
10 oz. ham (I used the extra-processed kind that comes in a big loaf. We've been using this same chunk of ham for meals upon meals - it lasts forever and there's so much of it!)
1 large egg
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup peach or apricot jam
1/4 cup fruity salsa (I used Sam's Club Peach Pineapple Chipotle Salsa)

Corn Bread Topping:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. cornmeal
1 tbsp. sugar
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup milk (actually, we're running low on milk so I added 3 tbsp. dry milk powder to the dry ingredients and 1/2 cup water to the wet. It worked great)
2 tbsp. melted butter or margarine

I had an interesting time with the ham. The recipe called for ground ham, but I had to improvise. I cut up the ham and stuck it in the blender with the egg and milk. It took some working to get it all chopped up. Just blend for a few seconds, then turn it off and press the goop down, letting out the air pockets, then blend for a few more seconds. It's okay if there are still some kinda big chunks of ham left - it adds to the overall texture.

After the ham has been ground up in the blender with the egg and milk, scoop it out into a bowl and stir in the bread crumbs and chopped onion. Press mixture into a deep 8x8-inch baking dish (I used my 2 1/2 qt. casserole). Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

While the meat is baking, combine the jam and the salsa; set aside.

Prepare the corn bread topping by mixing all the dry ingredients(1st 5 ingredients) in one bowl and all the wet ones(last 3 ingredients) in another bowl. Set aside.

When the meat is done baking, remove from oven and turn temperature up to 400 degrees. Spread jam/salsa mixture over the meat.

Add the wet corn bread ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix just until moistened. Spread over the sauce-topped meat. Bake at 400 for another 20 minutes or until the corn bread is done.
I'm assuming this was a successful venture, because Jeff says, "That was the most delicious thing I've ever eaten!" And he's been standing over my shoulder making sure I write that. And he says to make sure I write that he wants this on his birthday.

4 comments:

CissaLynn said...

Hi Steph!!! I wanted to let you know I tried your "Microwave Chicken" this evening and we loved it!!! I tried a sample portion (one piece of chicken or so) and we have to make more 'cause the kids loved it! They kept eating off my plate! It was very easy and very good - exactly what I need! I don't think I am a very good cook, so when I find something easy like this to make, it boosts my confidence! :) I hope you know that by reading your food blog, I am inspired to get cookin'!!! :)) I can feel your love for cooking by reading what you write!
Thanks so much for your blog! I love it! Keep them coming!!!! :)

Stephanie said...

I'm glad you enjoyed the chicken recipe. I love easy foods too, along with the fancier ones! And yes, I definitely love cooking!

Michelle said...

I didn't even know you could buy ground ham! I would have just done the blender thing too. Looks good!

Stephanie said...

Well, it's an old book, so I don't know if you can buy ground ham anymore. The blender worked great, so I don't think it made any difference.