What would you serve with ham on Thanksgiving?

[CrzyforPiglet]

Okay so even though I really want to be a good cook sadly any natural culinary abilities I may have even hoped to inherit passed me by - I bring this up because the one big meal I would like to try and make a tradition in my house is Thanksgiving where we would invite DH's mom and stepdad down. The rest of the year my husband (bless his heart) knows I try and is happy to have pb & j if my latest recipe doesn't quite turn out. Last year a couple of my day of recipes didn't quite deliver and even though people politely ate a helping there were a couple of things that didn't get asked for seconds. So hoping to learn from my mistake I would like to experiment with some side dishes now so that when Thanksgiving does get here I'll have a meal that I'm proud to present. All I know for certain is we will have ham from Honeybaked and pumpkin pie but I'm kinda baffled what else to serve. Last year I did mashed potatoes and cornbread stuffing but those were the two items that didn't get a second helping. I know the mashed potato recipe was new and I think I've fixed that one but should I offer a gravy and if so what kind? The cornbread I'm not sure what happened - I liked it but it did seem a tad dry.

Okay so that is my sad tale of bad cooking and now I need help! Please help me plan my Thanksgiving dinner!

Laurie

 

[Christine]

You pretty much need gravy with mashed potatoes. Gravy is not so easy to make if you don't have drippings from some sort of meat. There are ways but gravy isn't the easiest thing to do.

You could consider making a scalloped or au gratin potato dish. These don't require a lot of skill; however, they are just time consuming with peeling and slicing the potatoes thinly.

Steamed green beans are easy and go well with ham. The simplest way to make them is to saute two strips of bacon (chopped), then add some diced onion and saute for a minute to. Add the fresh green beans and saute them in the bacon fat for another minute or two. Then add about 1/4 inch water to the skillet, put a lid on, and steam for about 10 minutes. This gives them a more "country" flavor which works well with ham (tons of other ways to do green beans that are easy).

That's just a few things I can think of quickly.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

With ham I would serve Au Gratin potatoes, some other kind of veggie - usually green beans or a green bean casserole or maybe corn, rolls or some kind of bread, and maybe a sweet potato or yam casserole. I've done mashed potatoes before but just serve with butter, no gravy.

In our family, usually if we have several people coming we delegate out each family to bring a side dish. So the host will make the meat (ham) and I ask the guest to let me know what they are bringing then I fill in other dishes as needed. Of course everyone lives within about a 30 minute drive so it's easy for them to bring something.

 

[Allison]

The best gravy ever is ham gravy. That would be good with mashed potatoes.

I agree au gratin potatoes would also go well with ham.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Gravy is really not so hard once you know the simple method....

Take some cold water, or cold milk for white/cream gravy, and mix in a couple tablespoons or so of cornstarch. Along with salt/pepper/etc... The cornstarch will be completely and totally diluted in the cold liquid, NO LUMPS!.... then add to warm (not super hot) juices/drippings from your meat... just put this on Med. heat, stirring constantly, until it just begins to bubble and thicken... remove from heat and pour into your gravy bowl/dish.

You get lumps when you try to add the thickener to a pan of hot meat drippings and liquid... the heat will immediately set the gluten into lumps.
Or, you can get lumps when you leave the gravy on the heat, on the stove.

Start cold...
Perfect gravy every time.

 

[Jeafl]

My family insists that I make my special pineapple stuffing whenever I make ham. It's not diet friendly, but there is rarely leftovers.



Pineapple Stuffing

1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 cup white sugar
4 eggs
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
5 to 7 slices bread, cubed (depending on how solid you want it)


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch baking pan or 2-quart casserole.

In a mixing bowl, cream margarine and sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the pineapple and bread cubes.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for one hour. Let sit a few minutes to firm up before serving


** I always double the recipe and use a 9x13 pyrex dish. It takes about the same amount of time to cook. It's similar to the consistency of bread pudding. I've also experimented with using different kinds of bread, and it always turns out good.

Also, I cut back on the sugar to 3/4 cup and it still tastes fine...

 

[anniemae]

With ham, i absolutely love au gratin potatoes and veggies. Yum!! Something about the ham and the cheesy potatoes that goes well together.

 

[Christine]

My family insists that I make my special pineapple stuffing whenever I make ham. It's not diet friendly, but there is rarely leftovers.



Pineapple Stuffing

1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 cup white sugar
4 eggs
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
5 to 7 slices bread, cubed (depending on how solid you want it)


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch baking pan or 2-quart casserole.

In a mixing bowl, cream margarine and sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the pineapple and bread cubes.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for one hour. Let sit a few minutes to firm up before serving


** I always double the recipe and use a 9x13 pyrex dish. It takes about the same amount of time to cook. It's similar to the consistency of bread pudding. I've also experimented with using different kinds of bread, and it always turns out good.

I think it actually IS bread pudding!

 

[busyshrew]

I personally can't stand making au gratin (scalloped) potatoes for ham dinner - it's just SO much work (groan). And I'm a lazy cook.

So I make a cheat - hash brown casserole instead. If you google it, you will see lots of variations, but here's my recipe:

1 pkg of frozen hash browns
1 small onion - dice it up fine
1 can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom, cream of celery, cream of anything should work).
1 container of FULL-FAT sour cream. Do not try those "lite" versions, you must have the full-fat or this dish will get all curdled looking and be gross.
1 small wedge of mild-flavored cheese,like mild cheddar or mozzerella - grated up.
1/2 cup (more or less) of melted butter

Ok here goes:
Toast up the hash browns until nice and warm, but not crispy.
Mix up all the other ingredients. Mix up the hash browns into the other stuff. Spread it into a pan that's been well-greased with PAM or butter. Sprinkle the top with crushed cornflakes & cheese if you are feeling extra fancy, and bake it until it is nice and hot and bubbling around the sides. If you've pre-cooked the hash browns, it will take about an hour to cook it nice and hot, depending on the size & shape of your pan.

Now I admit this dish is a calorie bomb. It is probably 100 calories a mouthful. But it is super easy, tastes soooo good, and has always been a sure-fire hit - the dish winds up getting scraped clean and everybody is always moaning "oh, I shouldn't .... but I have to eat more!". And even better, it is a perfect accompaniment to baked ham.

Good luck!

 

[sms]

Sweet potato casserole, green beans casserole, potato salad, pasta salad, corn on the cob, wild rice, homemade mac-n-cheese, brussel sprouts with butter. Any of these would be great!

 

[C.Ann]

When my DH was still alive we usually had ham for Easter.. Our menu was:

Baked ham - with pineapple slices and cherries on top the last 15 minutes or so of baking..

Mashed potatoes.. (My family has always preferred evaporated milk in them - not regular milk - butter, and a dash of pepper.. Mash by hand first, then add the ingredients I listed and whip them to the consistency you want with an electric mixer by adding more or less can milk.. No lumps!)

Broccoli and cauliflower in cheese sauce.

Peas.

Cole slaw.. (My DH's secret recipe..)

Deviled eggs..

Cottage cheese.. (My family loves that as a "side"..)

Jellied cranberry sauce..

Oven rolls and butter..

-------------------

And of course if this is going to be for Thanksgiving, you'll want to have the traditional pumpkin pie..

If you also want to do a "stuffing", Stove Top has one for pork that's pretty tasty..

Good luck!

 

[arminnie]

Sweet potatoes are pretty traditional for Thanksgiving and go well with ham.

Roasted green beans or asparagus are easy and taste good. Prep the fresh veggies, toss with a little olive oil, salt & pepper. Roast at 425 8-12 minutes (depends on size of veg.). You could also do this with brussel sprouts.

This carrot recipe is so simple and every person who has ever had it loves it.

Carrots au sucre
2 pounds carrots
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt

Scrape carrots; cut into thin strips or rounds. Put all in a heavy covered skillet. Cover and cook very slowly shaking pan frequently, 30 to 40 minutes or til tender. Uncover pan as little as possible so steam will not escape. Serves 8 to 10 NO EXTRA WATER

I would buy some really good rolls like Sister Schubert's. Serve with real butter.

Good salad:
Greens of choice
dried cranberries
soft cheese like goat cheese (or your preference)
Toasted pecans
Bottle or homemade vinaigrette.



CRANBERRY ORANGE RELISH (NO COOKING)
The aristocrat of relishes. Particularly good with all meats, hot or cold.

1 pound (4 cups) cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups sugar
Put cranberries through food processor. Peel oranges, remove seeds and put rind and oranges through chopper. Mix with cranberries and sugar. Let stand for a few hours before serving.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If I am doing ham I have to make au gratin potatoes. However I might forgo that for the cheesy potatoe casserole. It is very rich and I probably omit the salt, pepper, and the topping. Try it out.

OOPs, I see someone already posted it. It is pretty darn good, but very rich. Cream of chicken is better to use imo.


CHEESY POTATO CASSEROLE
32 oz. bag hash browns, thawed
1 stick butter, melted
1 tbsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 (16 oz.) container sour cream
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cheddar cheese
1 med. onion, chopped

TOPPING:

2 c. cornflakes, crushed
1/2 stick butter, melted
Bake for 40 to 60 minutes at 350 degrees.

 

[mamacatnv]

W/Ham we always have the following:

Cheese potatoes - peeled, sliced and layered with cheddar/Mont jack cheese, salt & Pepper, pour milk and half and half over them until 3/4 covered and bake at 325 for about 3 hours. Cover the first 2 hours, then uncover and sprinkle more cheese, bake until golden.

Green bean casserole or steamed w/bacon and sesame seeds

Carrot salad - 3#'s finely shredded carrots, 2 cans pineapple tidbits and 1 can crushed do not drain, 1 box golden raisins. Mix all together and chill for several hours or overnight if possible. Do not use the bagged shredded carrots they are too thick, you need to finely shred so the carrots will absorb the pineapple juice.

I always serve a bowl of brown sugar mustard glaze on the side.

 

[MizTink]

My family insists that I make my special pineapple stuffing whenever I make ham. It's not diet friendly, but there is rarely leftovers.



Pineapple Stuffing

1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 cup white sugar
4 eggs
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
5 to 7 slices bread, cubed (depending on how solid you want it)


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch baking pan or 2-quart casserole.

In a mixing bowl, cream margarine and sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the pineapple and bread cubes.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for one hour. Let sit a few minutes to firm up before serving


** I always double the recipe and use a 9x13 pyrex dish. It takes about the same amount of time to cook. It's similar to the consistency of bread pudding. I've also experimented with using different kinds of bread, and it always turns out good.

Also, I cut back on the sugar to 3/4 cup and it still tastes fine...

i make something very similar. we call it "baked pineapple". i mix the pineapple (undrained, in it's own juices), eggs, and sugar. i brown the cubed bread in butter in a skillet, put it on top of the pineapple mixture, and then bake it.
this is a MUST HAVE!!! i have not come across one person that didn't love this dish!! and it goes GREAT with ham.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

My family insists that I make my special pineapple stuffing whenever I make ham. It's not diet friendly, but there is rarely leftovers.

This is the best thing with ham! I also make a ham gravy (we call it tar gravy), scalloped potatoes and green beans. If I am lazy, I make the Betty Crocker potatoes and if I want to do something with more effort, I make the O'Hana Maui Scalloped Potatoes:

http://allears.net/din/recipes/rec_maui.htm

 

[FayeW]

It's our Thanksgiving next weekend, and I am hosting. I always serve ham with scalloped potatoes (topped with cheddar), as well as the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and carrots (sometimes glazed), turnip, and peas.

We always share the holidays with at least two other families, taking turns hosting. Whoever is hosting does the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and vegetables. One other family brings the ham and scalloped potatoes, and the third will bring wine, drinks for the kids, and dessert.

This year, hubby and I, as well as one of our guests, are dieting, so I am a little worried about next Sunday's carb fest. Should have waited until after TurkeyDay to start the program, but we are part of a "community" challenge, 8 neighbours in total, all trying to see who can lose the highest percentage of body weight in 2 months.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

well, I always have to do a ham and a turkey for Thanksgiving , that is what my best friend Josh really really likes!! lol so I just do the Ham and the turkey and I do Mashed potatoes,(my special ones) and I do usually baby carrots with brown sugar and I do a green bean bake that has sauteed onions and maple syrup, rolls stuffing..etc. He always LOVES it. So I would say basis is better, just do it well!

 

[luvsJack]

We always have broccoli casserole with ham (and with turkey, for that matter). Just chopped broccoli, cheez whiz, cream of chicken soup, onion and celery and cooked rice. Very good. Never any left.

Also we like a twice baked pototao casserole. Which is basically mashed potatoes with butter, cream, sour cream and cream cheese. add bacon (either bought bacon bits or fried and crumbled), lots of shredded cheese (and kind really, but we like a mixture), shredded chedder cheese on top.

Depending on how many you have for dinner, plain baked sweet potatoes are always delish with ham too. Or there is the wonderfully sweet and rich praline sweet potatoe casserole. Which has a butter, brown sugar and pecan topping.

 

[kidzmom3]

are you making Turkey as well? We usually serve Mac and Cheese with Ham.