Cheesy Ham and Spinach Spirals

A few nights ago I went with a friend to a Pampered Chef training event.  I enjoyed sampling all of the goodies.  I came away with a few new things that I wanted to try.  This is one of them.  I made it and brought it as an appetizer for a cookie exchange.

Ingredients:

• 1 tube of Crescent Roll Dough
• 4 oz Chive and Onion Cream Cheese (at room temp)
• 8 to 10 Slices of Deli Ham
• Baby Spinach Leaves (a couple handfuls)

Preheat oven to 375.  Roll out dough.  If you use the sheet kind you will just flatten a little bit.  If you use the actual roll kind you will have to pinch the perforated cuts together.  Spread the softened cream cheese on the dough.  Layer with ham and then baby spinach leaves.  Roll the up dough (short side to short side) tucking the ham and spinach in as you go.  After it is rolled up pinch the edge with the roll to seal it.  Slice with shape knife and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake for about 10 minutes.

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Fancy Grilled Ham and Cheese (Or As Some Call It- Croque Monsier)

So my kids would never eat anything called "Croque Monsieur." They would think it had something to do with frogs (croak). So we call it fancy grilled ham and cheese instead, but its essentially a Croque Monsier.

The first step is to make a bechamel sauce:

• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 2 Tbsp. Flour
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• Dash salt, pepper and nutmeg
• 1/4 cup Parmesan and 1/4 cup gruyere shredded cheese

Melt butter in oan and add flour and stir well. Cook on med/high for about 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk, add cheeses and whisk until smooth and creamy. add spices. Heat until almost at a boil, then reduce to low and cook 10-20 minutes.

Sandwich:

• Italian bread
• Dijon mustard
• Sliced ham
• Sliced Provolone cheese

Spread mustard on bread and then layer with ham and cheese. Melt butter in pan and cook as you would a grilled cheese.

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange sandwiches on baking sheet and cover with bechamel sauce. Cook in oven at 400 for 5 minutes, then switch to broil and cook another 5 minutes or until sauce is golden and bubbly.

This recipe was featured on our Appetizing April Menu. Check out the entire April menu for a variety of dinner ideas!

Ham and Cheese Calzones

I love to make calzones because I love that there are endless possibilities as to what you can stuff inside them.  Another reason that I love them is that you can serve them for lunch, dinner, or a game day snack.  

Some of my favorite combinations are Turkey and Pepper Jack Cheese, Ham and Monterrey Jack, Pepperoni and Mozzarella, and Salami and Provolone. Today I made mine with  Ham and Monterrey Jack cheese.  I often make extra of these and stick in the freezer for a quick snack or lunch.  

Ingredients:

• About 3/4 of a pound of Sliced Deli Ham
• 1 8 oz block of Monterrey Jack Cheese- Shredded
• Ranch Dressing
• Your Favorite Pizza Dough recipe ( I will give you mine soon) Store bought dough works just as well

After making the dough and letting it rise a little bit, I divided it into two pieces. Having smaller pieces makes it easier to ensure that it cooks all the way through.  I rolled the dough out on the counter top with a little bit of flour.  I then placed a layer of ham, a layer of shredded cheese, and a small layer of Ranch Dressing.

I then rolled it up into a log form and gently pressed the seams together.  I recommend not making the logs any larger than 14 inches long otherwise the middle may take too long to cook and the outside will get overdone.  I brushed the top dough with melted butter to ensure a golden crust.  Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes.  Baking times will vary based on the size of the calzone and the thickness of the dough.

The combination of the Ham, Cheese, and Ranch is AMAZING!  I am so glad that I made extra!

This Calzone was the perfect addition to the Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup that I made today as well.

This recipe was featured in Two Magical Moms March Menu Madness.  Check out the entire menu and try out some of our other YUMMY recipes!

Slow Cooker Green Beans, Redskin Potatoes, and Ham

Weeknights can be hectic around here and the slow cooker is one of my best friends.  This one pot dish is super easy, I just make some rolls and we are all set!  There is nothing to it!

Ingredients:

2 lbs of Redskin Potatoes cleaned and cut

1.5 lbs of Fresh Green Beans- cleaned

2 Tablespoons of Better than Bouillon Ham Base

Pepper to taste

Ham

Cut and quarter redskin potatoes.  Disolve 2 tablespoons ham base in 3 cups of water in slow cooker.  Next, add green beans and potatoes and season with black pepper.  

Cook on high for about 5 hours.  Add in the slices or chunks of ham for the 45-60 minutes.  The ham is already cooked it just needs to be heated through.  The Ham Base will provide excellent flavor to both the potatoes and green beans. Depending on temperature of slow cooker, you may need to do this shorter or longer and of course you can do it on low if you want to leave it longer while at work.  

This recipe was featured in Two Magical Moms March Menu Madness.  Check out the entire menu and try out some of our other YUMMY recipes!