Ham Loaf With Pistachios
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Description: This delectable ham loaf recipe, originally featured in the “Arizona Republic” newspaper, presents a savory blend of ham, vegetables, and spices, elevated with the crunch of pistachios. Perfect for lunch or snacking, this dish offers a satisfying protein-packed meal, ideal for potlucks or busy weeknights. With its straightforward preparation and impressive flavors, it’s a recipe that even beginner cooks can master with ease.
Recipe Category: Lunch/Snacks
Keywords: Ham, Pork, Vegetable, Meat, High Protein, High In…, Potluck, Weeknight, Oven, Beginner Cook, < 4 Hours, Easy, Inexpensive
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 842.9
- Fat Content: 45.2g
- Saturated Fat Content: 16.7g
- Cholesterol Content: 279.5mg
- Sodium Content: 765.8mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 46g
- Fiber Content: 4.2g
- Sugar Content: 6g
- Protein Content: 60.6g
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups cooked ham, cubed
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup mushrooms, diced
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 egg
- 2/3 cup shelled pistachios
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Butter for greasing
- Sweet relish or chutney for serving
Instructions:
- Begin by slicing the cooked ham into cubes, ensuring they are of uniform size for even cooking.
- Using a food processor, pulse the cubed ham until it reaches a medium-coarse texture. Set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, diced mushrooms, finely chopped celery, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the vegetable mixture until it becomes wilted and fragrant, then pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Allow it to simmer for approximately 3 minutes before removing it from the heat and letting it cool slightly.
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius) to ensure it’s adequately heated for baking.
- Transfer the cooled vegetable mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add the processed ham, bread crumbs, egg, shelled pistachios, sour cream, ground cumin, nutmeg, and chopped parsley.
- Thoroughly blend all the ingredients together until well combined, ensuring that the mixture holds together.
- Grease a 9x5x2.5-inch loaf pan generously with butter to prevent sticking.
- Carefully spoon the prepared mixture into the greased loaf pan, pressing it down firmly to pack it into the pan evenly.
- Smooth the surface of the loaf mixture with the back of a spoon or spatula to create an even top.
- Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until the ham loaf is golden brown and cooked through.
- Once baked, remove the ham loaf from the oven and allow it to rest in a warm place for at least 10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and makes for easier slicing.
- Serve the ham loaf hot, accompanied by your choice of sweet relish or chutney for a delightful contrast of flavors.
This ham loaf with pistachios is a delightful addition to any mealtime, offering a unique blend of savory ham, crunchy pistachios, and aromatic spices that are sure to impress your family and guests alike. Whether enjoyed as a main course or sliced for sandwiches, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your repertoire of go-to dishes.
