Asparagus Scalloped Potatoes & Honey Glazed Ham

It's been a busy week! I'm finally getting around to posting the rest of what I made for Easter, but better late than never I suppose. Simple honey glazed ham and this yummy potato asparagus casserole was a big hit.

Honey Glazed Ham

Whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup butter

Preheat oven to 325. Slice ham into thin slices and stud with whole cloves. Bring all other ingredients to a boil. Pour glaze over ham, between each slice. Cover with tin foil. Bake according to directions on package (about an hour). Every 15-20 minutes baste glaze on top of ham to keep it moist. During the last 4-5 minutes turn oven to broil, baste top with glaze and broil to carmelize the glaze.

Asparagus Scalloped Potatoes

1 cup chopped cooked ham

1 bundle fresh asparagus spears cut into pieces

5-6 medium potatoes thinly sliced (could use hash brown potatoes)

1/2 onion chopped

2 cups shredded cheese

5 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup milk

Salt & pepper to taste

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1 tablespoon butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350. Thinly slice potatoes and chop ham, onion and asparagus, grate cheese. Beat eggs with milk. Layer in casserole dish potatoes, onion, ham, egg, salt, pepper, cheese and asparagus. Bake for 35 minutes. 

Mix bread crumbs with butter. Sprinkle over casserole and bake for 25-30 minutes longer or until knife inserted comes out clean.

Sunday Dinner Menu: BBQ Pulled Pork

Dinner tonight: pulled pork, Wallaby smashers, garden salad, shaped dinner rolls. See individual posts below.

For the pulled pork I used a roast tenderloin- pork butt is also a pretty popular cut. I slow cook mine in a crock pot. First finely chop 1/2 of a large onion and put around the roast. Make the bbq sauce below (or use your favorite store brand) and marinate overnight. Turn on crockpot and cook meat for 10 hours on low (or 5 hours on high) or until it easily shreds using a fork. Shred meat using two forks and serve over buns, potatoes or whatever you like. YUM.

BBQ Sauce

3/4 cups ketchup

1 cups tomato sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cups red wine vinegar
1/8 cup molasses
4 teaspoons liquid smoke
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

In a saucepan over medium heat, mix together all ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, longer if a thicker sauce is desired. To thin it out, add a bit of water.

Apple Stuffed Pork Chops

I know I always say the recipe is easy- because it is! When you have 3 kids 3 and under you don't have time to cook elaborate meals, so I do my best to find recipes that are simple, quick, taste good and are relatively healthy.

4 pork chops, boneless
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspon onion or garlic salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 apple, cored and finely chopped
1/2 onion chopped
2 teaspoons parsley
1 cup stuffing mix (I like chicken flavor)
2-4 tablespoons apple juice
1 tablespoon oil

Trim fat from chops. Cut a pocket in each by cutting a slit in the meat and working the knife inside almost to the end of the chop, try to keep original slit small so filling won't fall out when cooking.

Stir together pepper, garlic salt, and cloves. Sprinkle over both sides of pork chop and rub into meat.

In a saucepan over medium heat saute onion in oil until tender, add apple slices just until soft. Stir in stuffing mix, parsley and apple juice (just to moisten). Remove from heat and transfer to separate bowl.

Stuff each pork chop with apple stuffing mixture, reserve the remaining mixture for garnish. Use a bit of oil to prevent chops from sticking to the pan (or you can grill) cook the pork chops over medium heat for 20 minutes, about 10 minutes each side, don't overcook.

Serve over rice and top with applesauce and remaining stuffing mixture.