Monday, December 27, 2010

New Traditions (Ham Glaze, Broccoli Casserole & Sweet Potatoes)

Even though we were left to our little family for Christmas I still wanted to do a little something special. It drives Rick nuts but I just can't help myself I have to do something different each time :).

I was watching Hallmark Channel (of course for my Christmas Movies) and then came on Mad Hungry she was making a ham glaze with oranges & sherry. I of course didn't have sherry on hand but I did have some brandy left over from a previous party so I did a search for Oranges & Brandy and came across this amazing glaze it was awesome!
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Recipetips.com
Ingredients:
-1/4 cup raisins
-1/4 cup brandy (not flavoring)
-1/4 cup apple jelly
-1/4 cup orange juice
-1 tablespoon corn starch
-1 tablespoon brown sugar
-1 tablespoon prepared mustard
Directions:
  • Combine apple jelly, orange juice, raisins, and brandy in a small sauce pan. Cook over low heat until smooth and well combined.
  • In a separate bowl mix mustard, brown sugar and corn starch. Add mixture to sauce pan and combine. Cook until thickened.
  • Remove from heat. Spread glaze on ham during the last 30 minutes of baking. Reapply during the last 15 minutes, if desired.
  • ALEXIS NOTES: I had Clementine's on hand so I took 3 of those and squeezed them for the orange juice, I had apple butter not jelly, I used spicy mustard and I used golden raisins.
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    Since I always have to make green bean casserole for Rick (you know the fried onion ones) and I just couldn't eat that again, so I turned to mine and the boys favorite veggie broccoli and something I remembered my mom would make when I was younger. This was fab and GREAT with left overs too!!

    Ingredients

    • 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen choppedbroccoli, cooked and drained
    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 1 cup grated sharp cheddar
    • 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
    • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
    • 2 cups crushed crackers
    • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

    Directions

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray.

    In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, mayonnaise, cheese, soup and eggs. Mix well with a metal spoon. Place the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Top with the crushed crackers and pour the melted butter evenly over the crackers. Bake for 35 minutes or until set and browned.

    ALEXIS NOTES: I used fresh broccoli (Next time I will steam the broccoli) and light mayo.
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    I'm always on the look for a new Sweet Potato Recipe and found one I love. The boys didn't really care for it but I loved it!

    by AllRecipes.com

    Ingredients

    • 5 sweet potatoes
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 cup butter
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 cup white sugar
    • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
    • 1/4 cup butter, softened
    • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

    Directions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
    2. Bake sweet potatoes 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until they begin to soften. Cool slightly, peel, and mash.
    3. In a large bowl, mix the mashed sweet potatoes, salt, 1/4 cup butter, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar, and heavy cream. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
    4. In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup butter, flour, brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Mix with a pastry blender or your fingers to the consistency of course meal. Sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture.
    5. Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until topping is crisp and lightly browned.
    ALEXIS NOTES: I used 2 LARGE yams, sugar substitute, whole wheat flour and I only had walnuts on hand.
    Happy Tuesday hope you find something you like. These are great meals you can do for family dinner!


    Tempt my Tummy Tuesdays
    Lovely Yellow Ribbons

    15 comments:

    1. MMMMMMMM :) we didnt have what you would call a traditional chrissy lunch this year hehe hubby and son got to experience what its like to have an aussie chrissy! Oysters on the hlf shelf, Oysters Kilpatrick, Tiger prawns aka large shrimp :) small prawns from the local lake, salads of all sorts, baked legs of lamb, baked pieces of beef, baked chickens, roasted turkey, and every kind of roasted veggie u could imagine lol and cold slices of ham off the bone needless to say it was a warm day we were all in shorts n summer dresses he was just blown away! :)

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    2. oh my...all of these recipes sound and look so good! Definitely yummy. : )

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    3. Yeah you had a way to get your Ham all used up.. I will have to send my Mom Sweet Potato Classic. She loves them. Another one that I do not really care for.. Have an amazing day my friend..

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    4. Mmmmm, you're making me hungry!

      Visiting from Tasty Tuesdays...

      I have a couple of blogs:

      Come on home

      Blogging Biz Mom blog

      Have a great day!

      BTW: Your blog buttons for your sponsors are running down the middle of your post, making it difficult to read- wasn't sure if you meant to do that or not...

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    5. Ok, forget that part about your buttons- they straightened themselves out while I was commenting.

      Could have been on my computers part...

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    6. Great recipes...yummy! Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year!

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    7. Sounds wonderful.... my husband was given a honey baked ham for Christmas this year... I am trying lots of new stuff to make good use of it!!

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    8. I love the veggie casserole recipe. We had sweet potatoes for Christmas dinner too.

      Thanks for you Santa thoughts.

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    9. Oh my lord if I don't make that broccoli casserole soon I don't think I can take it!!! That looks amazing and soooo cost effective! I'm doing it!

      Happy New Year, Love!

      Lots of yummy love,
      Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
      www.mawhats4dinner.com

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    10. I LOVE sweet potatoes. One of my all time favorite foods.

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    11. Yum. You are so good and so organized.

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    12. OH, wow! These all sound delish especially the broccoli casserole! :)

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    13. mmm! do you think the glaze would be good on turkey too? I have some leftovers that need a tasty gravy

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    14. Sounds like a wonderful dinner and I love that you are making your own traditions. The broccoli recipe sounds delicious and I love sweet potatoe anything!

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    Commments welcome, helps me know the people in the wall really do exsist!