The ingredient: 3 ham recipes

By Hallmark staff on September 8, 2016

What a ham! Whether starring as the main course at your next family gathering or mixed into a quick weeknight dinner, ham is a tasty and versatile ingredient. So go ahead and let it hog the spotlight at your next meal with one of these delicious ham recipes. From ham soup to ham salad, here are three new ways to serve an old favorite.

Inspired? Create and share by tagging @hallmarkstores.

Ham and hominy soup

Packed with protein and low in calories, this delightfuly different ham hock soup is a satisfying and healthy way to spice up your winter dinners.

Apricot-mustard baked ham

Impress your guests with a juicy baked ham covered in a delectable glaze made from crushed gingersnaps, apricot jam and spicy brown mustard.

Winter salad with ham, pears and pecans

This winter salad recipe is a delicious way to use leftover ham. Field greens, ham, roasted pecans and pears are topped with a honey-mustard vinaigrette.

Did you know?

Curing started as a way of preserving pork. These days, curing is just for flavor, so less salt is needed in the brining process (making reduced-sodium hams possible). The typical grocery-store ham has been wet cured, which means treated with brine and then sometimes smoked to add flavor. (Avoid “water-added” hams, because they are of lesser quality.)
A ham is a cut from the hind leg of a pig, and you can buy it whole or in halves. When you’re buying a half ham, you can choose the shank end—easier to carve—or the sirloin (butt) end, which is meatier.
A fully cooked ham is the most popular choice for baking. It can be bone-in—some say the bone imparts flavor—or boneless, for simpler carving and cleanup. The ham just needs to be heated to an internal temperature of about 140°F. To avoid drying it out, shorten the time in the oven by letting the ham come to room temperature for about 1½ hours before it goes in, and add a tent of foil when baking.
Ham labeled “extra lean” is a great source of low-cal protein, but even regular ham isn’t that bad for you: Since the meat comes from the well-muscled leg of the pig, it’s surprisingly low in fat, and a serving of regular ham has only 151 calories. Just trim off any fatty edges before eating. Plus, like all pork, ham is a good source of B vitamins, including vitamin B6, riboflavin, niacin and thiamin (which plays a key role in the metabolism of nutrients).

Christmas Baby’s First Christmas: Making it a holiday to remember

All of a sudden, you’re more than just a couple: You’re a family. Or a bigger family. Baby’s first Christmas means...
Baby Gifts for New Parents: Thoughtful Things to Give and Do

We know what to get for babies: onesies and blankies and binkies. But what about the newly overwhelmed moms and da...
Father's Day 10 homemade Father's Day gifts

Dads like useful things. If you already know this, it’s probably because this isn’t your first Dad Rodeo (that’s w...
Mother's Day Free Printable Mother’s Day Coloring Pages

Show Mom, Grandma and Nana how much they mean with printable coloring pages you can decorate just for them. We hav...
Summer Beat the heat with some cool summer coloring fun

When it comes to coloring, why should kids have all the fun? That’s the question our F...
Halloween Color up some Halloween fun

Jumpstart your Halloween with our 10 free coloring pages for kids and adults. Just print out any of the 10 designs...
Valentine's Day Play with your food: Valentine's Day treats

All you need is love (and a few simple ingredients) to make our seven fun and easy Valentine treats.
Christmas 15 Easy DIY Ways to Add a Personal Touch to Christmas Gifts

When you have a long Christmas gift list, BOGO deals and promotions are absolute lifesavers. Fill up your basket w...
Summer 5 fun frozen treats brrr-fect for summer

Wilting in the summer heat? Perk up with these fun and frosty treats that appeal to kids (and former kids, too!). ...
Summer Sizzling summer party food

Does summer have you in a picnic state of mind? Eating outside is as simple as throwing open the ba...
Summer 7 summer salad recipes

Summer and salads go together like sandals and pedicures, chick-lit and lounge chairs, and Fourth of July and frea...
Mother's Day 32 Mother's Day Breakfast Ideas

Fill her heart (and her plate) this Mother's Day with these easy breakfast ideas.
Valentine's Day Free printable Valentine’s Day coloring pages

Little ones can share their big hearts using our free printable coloring pages.
Lifestyle How to journal: 5 reasons, 3 ways, and 9+ styles

Start journaling today with our easy guide on how and why to journal
Christmas Four Easy Holiday Desserts from One Gingerbread Mix

Nothing tells your senses it’s Christmas like the spicy smell of gingerbread. And even if you’re pressed for time ...
Dessert Gingerbread Loaf with Pomegranate Lemon Cream Cheese

Need to refill your holiday spirit? A slice of this gingerbread loaf spread with lemon and pomegranate cream chee...
Dessert Chocolate-Gingerbread Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting

Chocolate and gingerbread are an unexpected but perfect pair. Topped with a pillowy marshmallow frosting, they’re ...
Dessert Gingerbread Trifle

If you have a large glass serving bowl, you can turn regular gingerbread into a show-stopping dessert for the holi...
Dessert Gingerbread Cake Bites

Gingerbread is one of those flavors that tell all your senses the holidays are here. And in about an hour, you can...
Family Easy Get Together- Potluck Dinner Ideas and Recipes

Every time we’re with our favorite people around the dinner table, we think the same thing: “Why don’t we should d...

Share: