Nurturing my inner... helping hand

Easter.  A time of pain gives way to hope, renewal, redemption.  So many things in life can be frustrating and disappointing.  Certainly unfair.  Hope is the one thing that keeps us going amidst all the hardship.  Who we are, what we believe, how we conduct ourselves in all kinds of small ways matters greatly.  Even when we think no one is watching.  Our character defines us most and is most defined in our times of heartbreak.  I've been reflecting a lot on that today.  Which I had time to do, as I was preparing lunch.

My family always gathered together for Easter Sunday, but they live just far enough away that I can't really drive home for a weekend.  (Think traffic up 95 North.  Ugh.)  So it was natural for me to invite one of my friends, whose family lives much farther away than mine, over for a homemade meal similar to what I would have had in Connecticut.  It's very likely I would have made this lunch even just for myself, but as we know, it's always better when someone joins you.  (So sayeth the extrovert in me.  I'm pretty sure Winnie the Pooh said it as well.  Wise old bear.)

I did cook some from scratch today, but I also took a little help from Smithfield. Which I heard makes excellent ham.  (And just happens to be in Virgina.)  No one wants to stay in the kitchen all day and miss the fun, so this is a great way to speed up that stove time and get yourself over with your company.  To chat and watch a movie on Amelia Earhart.  (I wanted to stop the movie before she goes missing as if I can change the outcome of things past.)

So, to backtrack a little, though ham was a first thought for me, that famous chain with shanks the size of basketballs was what I envisioned.  That clearly would be no good for a person or two.  (Unless I wanted to eat ham every day for about a month.)  My mom said she had just been to the grocery store the other day and saw these little hams.  Ooh.  Sounded perfect for my luncheon plans.

Just the right amount for two to four people.

The one I got was about two pounds.  And was conveniently presliced.  Ideal!  I put it in an oval Le Creuset baking dish, covered with foil and into the oven at 350 degrees it went.  15 minutes per pound.  Quick math says 30 minutes and it would be hot.  (I always was good at complicated multiplication.  You can tell.)

I could never have sliced it this thin on my
own. That takes special tools.

To spruce it up a little and add additional flavor, I decided I would make my own simple glaze.  I read up a lot on them, and man are there many options.  Orange, mustard, ginger.  But I didn't want to introduce too many crazy flavors.  (And cloves are ridiculously expensive at $7.00 for a small container, so I was definitely skipping that on principle alone.)  Honey and brown sugar.  Cost effective and packed with flavor.

Honey, Brown Sugar, Pineapple Glaze

2 tbsp light brown sugar
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp crushed fresh pineapple
1 tbsp fresh pineapple juice

I wanted a light, thin glaze.  If you want it thicker, add more brown sugar and make more of a paste.

Sweet meet sweet. Well hello.

And to add in a little something fruity, pineapple and juice.  Fresh is best, it was on sale so I was fortunate, but if canned is easy and available to you, go ahead and use that.  What matters most is that you're doctoring up your special holiday ham with added citrus flavor.

Pineapple goes great with ham. It's a
natural pairing.

I took the ham out after 15 minutes to put on the glaze.  You only want the glaze on toward the end so it doesn't burn.  (It is sugar after all.)  This just happened to be halfway through for me due to the size of the ham I was making.

Spooned on top and into the open slices.
It will drip around.

Covered back up and into the oven for the last 15 minutes.  The glaze and the foil helped keep the ham moist.  You definitely don't want dry ham jerky by overheating it.

Smelled wonderful too.

I timed it all pretty well.  (I had thought long and hard over the schedule the night before in bed, I will admit.)  Everything was ready within 10 minutes of my friend's arrival.  Ham with my simple glaze, red skinned mashed potatoes and steamed green beans that I quickly sauteed in a little butter and shallots.  I opened the white wine my friend so kindly brought for us, that went great with today's fare, and put her to work making the caprese salads.  (More help for me.  So lucky!)  We were then 100% ready to eat.

Now that looks like a traditional Easter lunch
to me! (Mom would be proud.)

The Easter Bunny may have made a quick appearance with a little Easter bucket containing a few chocolate treats for said guest.  (Hey, traditions don't stop just because you're over 12.  You got an issue with that?  Blame the bunny!)  And she brought me a bottle of red wine (a kind I've never had before - yea!) and a lovely oriental lily.

Flowers for Easter are perfect. The pink
is so springy!

I always want to buy flowers for myself and rarely do.  So the lily was a thoughtful gift that I get to enjoy for many days to come.  There also happened to be enough leftovers for me to send her home with a box, as well as have some for myself for lunch tomorrow.  Did I happen to mention it was sunny and warm too?  All the makings of a terrific holiday, from start to finish.  Without me having to spend more than one hour in the kitchen!  Happy Easter everyone!