WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES MARCH 25, 2021 19
Ditch your oven this Easter
This year, make your Easter ham
eff ortless by ditching the oven
and using your slow cooker instead.
While most people think about
slow cooking for staples like chili and
stew, it’s also perfect for center-of-theplate
feasts - like an Easter ham.
Using the slow cooker, you can
minimize both prep time and cleanup
time, leaving plenty of room in
the day for church, hunting eggs and
enjoying time with your loved ones.
Ham is a tradition for many families
this time of year, and because it
pairs well with a multitude of ingredients,
you can create a unique dish
every time.
For a fresh spin on the classic ham,
try this Sweet Southern Slow-Cooker
Ham recipe from the National Pork
Board. Apple cider and bourbon
(or vanilla extract, if you prefer)
combine to create a rich flavor
complemented by the sweetness of
brown sugar.
Round out your Easter menu
by pairing your ham with classic
sides such as oven-roasted carrots,
asparagus wrapped in bacon and
mashed sweet potatoes.
You can also use leftover ham
for flavor-packed recipes like Ham,
Apple and Cheddar Crepes, which
are ideal for a family-style brunch.
To get inspired by more ham
and Easter meal ideas, visit Pork-
Beinspired.com or Facebook.com/
PorkBeinspired.
EASTER HAM PINSPIRATION
SWEEPSTAKES
Enter the National Pork Board’s
Easter Ham Pin-spiration Sweepstakes
at PorkBeinspired.com/
EasterHam for the chance to win an
Easter gift basket with everything
you need for this year’s celebration.
Sweet Southern Slow-Cooker
Ham
Yield: 12 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 4 to 8 hours
1 bone-in fully cooked ham, about
5 1/2 pounds
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 cup Kentucky bourbon
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
4 fresh thyme sprigs
Place ham in large slow cooker.
Whisk cider with brown sugar,
bourbon, honey and mustard. Slowly
pour over ham. Scatter thyme sprigs
into slow cooker.
Cook on high for 4 hours or on
low for 8 hours, or until very tender.
Remove ham to rest on cutting
board. Pass remaining cooking
liquid through fine mesh sieve into
saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes
or until slightly reduced. Carve
ham into serving pieces. Brush ham
pieces with cooking liquid before
arranging on platter. Serve warm
or at room temperature.
Note: For a non-alcoholic alternative,
replace the bourbon with 1/4
cup water and 1 tablespoon vanilla
extract.
— Courtesy of Family Features
EASTER
/Facebook.com
/Beinspired.com
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