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Candy, spicy and deliciously old-fashioned, Ham balls they are a basic Midwestern recipe—excellent for Easter, Sunday brunch, or simply in case.
I grew up in an outdated Milwaukee neighborhood known as Washington Heights the place the homes seemed like they had been designed by one other architect. It was the 90s, so a few neighbors on our boulevard had lived there for the reason that 20s. One outdated girl particularly was beloved by all the kids and oldsters. I do not even keep in mind her actual title as a result of we known as her “Grandma”.
We might dig in her yard or shovel the driveway and he or she would pay us meals like dumplings and fried hen. Then on Saturday round Easter, she made ham balls. I had by no means tried them earlier than, regardless of being a Midwestern staple, and wow – they had been scrumptious. She even topped them off with a slice of canned pineapple and the sweet-salty mixture introduced me again for seconds. She died not lengthy after and people ham balls disappeared from my thoughts and style buds. Then, not too way back, I used to be flipping by an outdated Midwestern cookbook I discovered at Goodwill. Guess what I discovered? I purchased the cookbook and tried the recipe and the nostalgia got here again and gave me all of the feels. For a second I felt like I used to be dwelling in a Hallmark film.
If you’re used to Swedish meatballs or Italian meatballs, the flavour profile might throw you off. They’re extra like cocktail meatballs. Salt pork and ham are coated in a candy and bitter glaze. They’re recipes that you simply save for particular dinners and household soups. And similar to your common meatball, ham balls are simple to make. Simply combine, roll and bake!
Graham crackers? Did I learn that appropriately?
Sure, he did. So do not substitute pretzels or conventional breadcrumbs as a result of these substitutes will not provide the identical steadiness in opposition to the brown sugar and vinegar. The graham cracker crumbs do what common breadcrumbs do – hold the feel delicate. That is precedence primary. Precedence quantity two? We need the fragile sweetness right here is complemented by the spicy meat and spices. what to say to that? Within the Midwest, we like issues candy, even our ham balls.
How do I retailer leftovers?
Refrigerate leftovers (together with glaze) in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days. Whereas they’re microwave-tender sufficient, the oven maintains the feel of the ham balls—325°F for quarter-hour in a foil-covered dish ought to do the trick. If the glaze appears too thick, add somewhat water. Ham balls additionally freeze fairly properly. Retailer in freezer wrap or bag for as much as 3 months. Thaw within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating.
Submission options
Serve these ham balls with Yukon Gold Creamy Mashed Potatoes – I like how they take in the glaze. When you do not thoughts the trouble, Pommes Anna is a superb savory facet dish that tastes as elegant because it seems to be. And for veggies, roasted Brussels sprouts and carrots are a scrumptious combo, or stick with classics like sautéed inexperienced beans.
Prep: 15 registration
Prepare dinner: 1 hour
Cooling time: 10 registration
Complete: 1 hour 25 registration
Substances
- 1 pound minced ham
- 1 pound floor pork
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 egg
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- Chopped inexperienced onion or parsley for adornment
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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In a big bowl, gently combine the bottom ham, floor pork, graham cracker crumbs, egg and milk.
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Kind the combination into about 12 meatballs and place them in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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In a separate bowl, whisk collectively the ketchup, brown sugar, granulated sugar, dry mustard, thyme, water and apple cider vinegar. Pour the glaze evenly over the meatballs.
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Bake uncovered for about 1 hour, basting a few times throughout cooking, till the meatballs attain an inside temperature of 160°F. Allow them to cool for 5-10 minutes earlier than serving. Garnish with chopped inexperienced onion or parsley.
Vitamin Data:
Calorie: 326kcal (16%) Carbohydrates: 27G (9%) Protein: 15G (30%) Fats: 18G (28%) Saturated Fat: 7G (44%) Sodium: 204mg (9%) Fiber: 0.3G (1%) Sugar: 22G (24%)
Vitamin assertion
Dietary data is an estimate solely and will range relying on the precise manufacturers, substances and portion sizes you employ. This information is supplied for informational functions solely.
