Food for Thought – April 2, 3013

Easter is over.  I hope the weather improves.  I suppose many of you have leftover ham.  I looked in my Campbell Cookbook revised edition of 1968 and have a couple of recipes you might wish to use.

Ham and Macaroni Au Gratin

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 Tbsp butter or margarine

1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cheddar cheese soup

1/4 cup milk

1 cup cooked ham, cut in 1-inch strips

1-12/ cups cooked shell macaroni

1/2 cup cooked asparagus cuts

1/4 tsp dry mustard

Dash pepper

Cook onion in butter until tender.  Stir in soup until smooth; gradually blend in milk.  Add remaining ingredients.  Pour into 1-quart casserole.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Yield: 3-4 servings.

This next recipe is a quickie that I really like.

Hot Potato and Ham Salad

1 cup diced cooked ham

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 Tbsp butter or margaraine

1 can (10-1/2 oz.) condensed cream of celery soup

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 tsp caraway seed

1/8 tsp pepper

3 cups cubed, cooked potatoes

1 Tbsp chopped parsley

Cook ham and onion in butter until onion is tender.  Blend in soup, sour cream, caraway and pepper; add potatoes.  Heat; stir slightly.  Garnish with parsley.

Yield: 4 servings.

The following is a meaty bean dish everyone should like.

Ham ‘N Bean Harvest

1 cup cooked ham, cut in 1/2-inch strips

1/3 cup raisins

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 Tbsp butter or margarine

2 cans (1 lb. each) pork and beans with tomato sauce

1 cup cubed apple

2 tsp prepared mustard

Apple slices

Cook ham, raisins and onion in butter until onion is tender.  In 1-1/2 quart casserole, combine all ingredients except apple slices.  Cover, bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Uncover; top with apple slices.  Brush apple with melted butter.  Bake uncovered 5 minutes.

Yield: 4 servings.

This last thought from Kay Hoffman.

Love Should Blossom

So many loving words to give

To those with whom we work and live;

So many words heal and bless

Another’s heart or loneliness.

A friendly smile, a glad hello

Can cheer someone who’s feeling low;

Or just a little thoughtful deed

Will help fulfill another’s need.

So many things that we can do

To help another’s day ring true;

So many ways to show we care –

Love should blossom everywhere.

Please send your recipes or recipe requests to: The Vista, 5413 Peavine Road, Crossville, TN 38571 or email to: [email protected].

Until next time,

Ellie