While a half or whole country ham can be the star of any family meal or gathering, don’t forget that you can also use country ham for the appetizers to act as a prelude of the delicious meal to come. Country ham end slices are perfect for this, and there are virtually unlimited ways to use them. Here are a few of our favorite appetizers using country ham end slices.
- Ham log- You’ve probably made hundreds of cheese logs for parties before, so you already know the process. You can use the same cream cheese and other ingredients you generally use and add some minced country ham end slices before you shape it into a log and chill it before serving.
- Deviled ham- If you are looking for something to pair with crackers or bread crisps, consider mixing up a batch of deviled ham using country ham end slices. Grind up the ham and add in some mayonnaise, hot sauce, parsley, a touch of lemon juice, diced shallot or onion, and a bit of mustard. You can stuff this mixture into mushroom caps too.
- Country ham sliders- Grab some small buns (those Hawaiian ones work great!) and pile on some country ham end slices and your other favorite toppings, such as cheese, onion, pineapple, or whatever strikes your fancy. For a brunch, consider using small biscuits instead of buns.
- Cheesy country ham dip- Who doesn’t love cheese – or a dip for that matter? Cut up the country ham end slices and add to a combination of cream cheese, cheddar, sour cream, shallot, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce and toss a few chopped pecans on top for some crunch and to dress up the presentation. Bake it in an oven-proof dish for about 25 minutes to get the cheese bubbly. Serve it up with crackers, celery sticks, or whatever your favorite “scooper” might be.
Here at Hobe’s Country Ham, we can’t say much more about our country ham end slices right now because we’re terribly hungry and going to go rustle up a few of these! You’ll find our products at a local retailer and be on your way to a memorable gathering with friends and family.