The Easter Bunny — and the relatives — came and went and, man, do you have a lot of leftover ham. Never fear. You needn’t resign yourself to eating ham sandwiches all week. Here are five clever ways to incorporate leftover ham into dishes that taste totally new. Inspiration, served!
1. Smokey ham, potato and corn chowder: If the weather’s still chilly where you are, this rich and hearty soup just might be what you need to warm your bones. And because it uses a combination of fresh and canned veggies, plus condensed soup, it couldn't be simpler to throw together.
2. Ham and cheese pockets: If you think that it’s too hard to make meals stuffed in pastry, think again. That’s what premade, store-bought dough is for — and this recipe prove how simple it is. And though the recipe only calls for stuffing the dough with ham and cheese, you can also add chopped veggies and sauce — or anything else that strikes your fancy.
3. Stovetop cheesy broccoli rice with ham: This dish delivers all the heft and satisfaction of a casserole, without any oven time. Best of all, it’s a complete one-pot meal. So easy. So good.
4. Ham and cheddar-stuffed pretzel calzones: Here’s another take on the stuffed pastry, but with a twist: Instead of a calzone made with regular dough, this one features a pretzel crust. “That sounds too complicated!” you say. But it’s really not! A simple dunk in a bath of boiling baking soda water before baking is all it takes to turn dough into a pretzel. How excellent is that?
5. Slow-cooker ham and white beans: Seriously, what would we do without the slow cooker? Short of having a personal chef, there’s no easier way to have a hot dinner waiting at the end of the day. (And it’s far more affordable, too!) This savory bean-and-ham dish doesn't even require sauteing or browning any ingredients before throwing them into the slow cooker. Ahh, life on easy street!
Related: Make Tom Colicchio's one-pot pasta with broccoli, ham and cheese