🍽️ Appetizer Ham Ball: A Tasty Delight 🍽️
📜 History: The Appetizer Ham Ball, a delectable party treat, has a history dating back to mid-20th century America. This savory appetizer became a popular choice for gatherings, offering a unique blend of flavors and textures.
🧀 Components: To create this delightful dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups of cooked ham, finely chopped.
- 8 oz of cream cheese, softened.
- 1/4 cup of green onions, chopped.
- 1/4 cup of red bell pepper, finely chopped.
- 1/4 cup of crushed pineapple, drained.
- 1/4 cup of chopped pecans.
- 1 tsp of Worcestershire sauce.
- A pinch of black pepper.
- Crushed crackers or chopped parsley for coating (optional).
👩🍳 Preparation Steps:
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Prep the Ingredients: Start by finely chopping the cooked ham, green onions, red bell pepper, and drain the crushed pineapple. Ensure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature.
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Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped ham, softened cream cheese, chopped green onions, red bell pepper, crushed pineapple, chopped pecans, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
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Shape the Ham Ball: Lay out a piece of plastic wrap and transfer the mixture onto it. Use your hands to shape it into a ball. If desired, you can roll it in crushed crackers or chopped parsley for added texture and presentation.
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Chill: Wrap the ham ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until it’s firm. Chilling helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to handle.
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Serve: Once the ham ball is nicely chilled, place it on a serving platter. You can serve it with an array of crackers, bread, or vegetable sticks for dipping.
⏱️ Preparation Time: The total time needed to prepare the Appetizer Ham Ball may vary, but it typically takes around 15-20 minutes for prep and mixing the ingredients. The chilling time in the refrigerator is at least 2 hours, but it’s recommended to prepare it in advance if you’re serving it at a party or gathering.
Enjoy this flavorful and nostalgic appetizer at your next social event! 🎉🍽️
🥗 Nutrition Facts and Health Information 🥗
While the Appetizer Ham Ball is undeniably delicious, it’s important to be mindful of its nutritional content. Here are some key nutritional facts and health information for this recipe:
📊 Nutrition Facts (Approximate per serving):
- Calories: Around 150-200 calories per serving (1-2 tablespoons).
- Total Fat: Approximately 10-12 grams.
- Saturated Fat: About 4-6 grams.
- Cholesterol: Roughly 20-30 milligrams.
- Sodium: Varies depending on ingredients, but it can be moderate due to ham and cream cheese.
- Carbohydrates: Typically 3-5 grams.
- Protein: Around 6-8 grams.
- Fiber: Minimal, as this is not a fiber-rich dish.
- Sugar: Small amounts from ingredients like pineapple.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Some vitamins and minerals from the ham, vegetables, and cream cheese.
🍽️ Health Information:
- Moderation is Key: While the Appetizer Ham Ball can be a tasty treat, it’s essential to enjoy it in moderation due to its relatively high fat and calorie content.
- Protein Source: Ham provides a good source of protein, but it’s also high in sodium, so individuals with hypertension should consume it sparingly.
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is rich in saturated fat, so it’s advisable to use the light or reduced-fat versions if you’re watching your fat intake.
- Nutritional Variations: You can make this dish slightly healthier by using leaner cuts of ham and opting for low-fat or Greek yogurt cream cheese.
- Balance with Veggies: Consider serving the Ham Ball with a variety of fresh vegetable sticks like carrots, celery, and bell peppers to add fiber and nutrients to your snack.
- Dietary Restrictions: Be mindful of dietary restrictions; for example, those with lactose intolerance should choose lactose-free cream cheese.
Remember, while the Appetizer Ham Ball is a delightful treat for special occasions, it’s wise to enjoy it as an occasional indulgence rather than a regular part of your diet to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. 🥦🍖🥪
