My friend Nancy mentioned she cooked a baked ham for Canadian Thanksgiving a few weeks ago and the thought of it upped my crave quotient considerably. It's not something we have very often which is really a shame but likely the reason we enjoy it so much. Not wanting to buy a whole ham so close to the holidays, we picked up a ham steak instead.
It's kind of funny how we tend to classify ham steak as a breakfast item, but thanks to a sweet and sour peach sauce our lowly steak was elevated to dinner worthy and I do mean ELEVATED!
Sweetened with sugar and peaches, spiced with dry mustard and soured with a touch of orange juice and vinegar, the sauce is perfect with ham and best of all it took a mere 5 minutes to make from start to finish.
Just so you know the whole menu took all of 20 minutes to prep including a tossed salad that I forgot to serve. The potatoes are a simple gratin made from 1 lowly Idaho (Russet), a half onion, sliced, 2 ounces of sharp cheddar and some heavy cream and a touch of salt, pepper and freshly ground nutmeg. I gave it a head start in the microwave to heat it all up, then finished it in a 350 oven for a half hour.
The bacon for the asparagus got a head start in the microwave too, and topped the asparagus before it joined the potatoes during their last 12 minutes in the oven. As for the ham steak, since it's already cooked and just needs to be warmed, it took all of 5 minutes in the grill pan.
So there you have it, the perfect weeknight meal that looks like you fussed. Only you'll know you didn't.
Ham Steak with Peach Sauce (Adapted from Celebrated Seasons, Minneapolis Junior League)
Note – double sauce recipe if you’re serving it with a large ham.
1 ham steak, warmed per package directions
Peach Sauce:
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup cold water
3 tablespoons orange juice (freshly squeezed is best)
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 egg yolk, beaten
1 cup sliced fresh peaches (or frozen, thawed and drained)
In a small saucepan combine sugar, cornstarch, salt, mustard, paprika, water, orange juice and vinegar. Heat, whisking constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat and stir a small amount of mixture into egg yolk. Return yolk/sauce mixture to pot and heat on low for 1 minute. Do not boil. Before serving stir peaches into sauce and heat through. Serve with ham. Download Ham Steak with Peach Sauce
A year ago - Fillet of Beef with Stilton Sauce
You must be part raccoon - you always have a sauce or a gravy - I love that - this one looks perfect with the ham! I love a good ham steak for dinner! Bwwaahhhh - you forgot the salad - you always make me laugh!
Posted by: Lea | 10/25/2011 at 11:11 AM
Lea - too many more sleepless nights with this cough and I'll look like a raccoon LOL Yes, it was a beautiful salad too but we'll have it tonight instead.
Posted by: June | 10/25/2011 at 02:11 PM
This sounds like a real treat. I love recipes that are easy to do and this one fills the bill. Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary
Posted by: Mary | 10/25/2011 at 02:11 PM
You're right Mary. Sometimes the easy ones are best.
Posted by: June | 10/25/2011 at 02:25 PM
Yum. We just love ham and the photo of this steak made my mouth water. Another great dinner!
Posted by: Nancy | 10/25/2011 at 07:01 PM
I forget about ham steaks for dinner June. Looks divine!
Posted by: Mary from Apron Strings & Wedding Rings | 10/26/2011 at 05:50 AM
Thanks Nancy and most important, thanks for being my "muse".
Mary - I forget too and it's so simple and quick.
Posted by: June | 10/26/2011 at 06:55 AM