Since the majority of hams are fully cooked, serving them hot is a matter of heating, rather than cooking in the usual manner. Nevertheless, the basic techniques of roasting, broiling, and panfrying still apply.

Because it is usually pre-cooked, you can add it to almost any recipe or serve it as the main coarse. Even leftover pieces can be used attractively in appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and main dishes. Just remember to watch how you salt or season the leftover dishes you make. Ham tends to be salty and can make whatever you're making salty, too.

Few meats rival the good flavor that ham brings to casseroles. Likewise, it goes well with vegetable medleys and assorted pastas.

Try one of the following ham recipes for your next meal or view one of the ham recipe videos for more ham recipe ideas.

Ingredients:

1 lb. finely chopped cooked ham

1 lg. dill pickle, ground

1 tbsp. sweet pepper relish

1/2 c. salad dressing

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and serve as a salad on lettuce or as a sandwich filling..

Deliciously good!

1 1/2 cups ground fully cooked ham

4 ounces process American cheese, grated

1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1 1/4 cup milk

2 beaten egg yolks

2 cups soft bread crumbs

2 stiffly beaten egg whites

Mushroom sauce

Combine the first four ingredients. Stir in the milk, egg yolks, and crumbs. Fold in the egg whites. Fill six, greased, 6 ounce custard cups. Bake in a pan of hot water at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes until the mixture is set. Turn out onto serving plates and top with Mushroom sauce.

Mushroom Sauce:

In a saucepan melt 3 tablespoons butter or margarine. Blend in 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Then stir in 1 cup milk and 1 3-ounce can broiled, sliced mushrooms with the liquid. Cook, stirring until the mixture thickens and bubbles. Add 1 tablespoon of grated onion and 1 tablespoon snipped parsley. Season to taste and pour over the Ham Puffs.

Toss with a blue cheese dressing

3 cups sliced, tart apples

1 cup cubed fully cooked ham

1/2 cup diced celery

1/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing

2 tablespoons light cream

2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Combine the apples, the ham, and the celery. Blend together the remaining ingredients. Toss the dressing mixture lightly with the apple-ham mixture.

Serves approximately 5 to 6 people.