Ham and Cheese Stromboli

I was going through my cookbooks, looking for something simple to make this week and also something post worthy. I've never made a Stromboli before. Yum-O! And REALLY easy.

1 tube refrigerated crusty French bread loaf
2 c shredded cheese (we used cheddar)
1/4 lb. thin sliced ham (we actually used cubed instead)
1 tbls butter, melted
1 tbls grated Parmesan cheese (I was out and used shredded Parmesan instead)

Spread dough out and roll to size of jelly roll pan. (I wasn't able to roll it quite that big, but did my best.) Sprinkle with cheese and add ham. Roll up tightly. Pinch seam together. Place seam side down. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. (I also sprinkled with some garlic salt too.) Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes or until it rises and is golden and dough is done inside. Slice.

Ham & Scalloped Potatoes

I apologize for my lack of posts lately, but I haven't been cooking much now that the girls are in swimming lessons twice a week. Also, I tried a few new recipes that ended up not being "post worthy". Such a bummer!

This recipe comes from a fundraiser cookbook. What makes these ham & scalloped potatoes extra yummy is the shredded cheddar cheese in them.

4 large potatoes, peeled and sliced (thin)
3 T butter
1 tsp salt
1 c minced onion
1/2 tsp pepper
1 1/2 c milk
2 to 3 c ham, diced
1 med size bag cheddar cheese

Melt butter. Add onions and cook until tender.

Stir in flour, salt, pepper & milk.

Cook until thickened, stirring often. Remove from heat.

Grease casserole dish with cooking spray.

Place 1/3 of potatoes on bottom, then 1/3 ham, 1/3 sauce, & 1/3 cheese. Keep layering until all potatoes, ham, sauce, and cheese are used. Cover casserole dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover dish and bake 15 to 20 minutes longer.


*Note: be sure to take the time to slice the potatoes thin. (Well, unless you like crunchy potatoes...)

Mashed Potatoes with Ham

This recipe came from "Taste of Home's Quick Cooking Annual Recipes 2001". The gal that submitted the recipe uses it as the main dish, not as a side dish. When it is just the four of us, I use it as the main dish. When we've had oodles of company, I've used it as a side dish. This is a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. It is a nice alternative to ham and scalloped potatoes.

1/2 c finely chopped onion
2 tbls. butter or margarine (divided)
3 1/2 to 4 c hot mashed potatoes (prepared with milk & butter)
1 1/2 c cubed fully cooked ham (you can buy ham already cubed to "Keep it Simple". Today, I am just cutting up a ham steak)
1/4 tsp onion salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 c crushed cornflakes (I've left these out in the past. Still delicious even without)

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine onion and 1 tbls of butter. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2 minutes or until tender, stirring once. Add potatoes, ham, onion salt, and pepper. Mix well. Transfer to a greased 1 1/2 qt baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese and cornflakes; dot with remaining butter. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until heated through.