Mom’s Ham Loaf

ByJoseph

Today my Mom would have turned sixty-six. Last year I started a personal tradition on her birthday.

Today is my mom’s 65th birthday. She died in December so I can’t spend the day with her this year. Every year on my birthday she made ham loaf for me. The ham loaf that she made when I was a kid was terrible, but after she got together with Bob, he taught her quite a few things about cooking. The ham loaf that they made became one of our favorite meals to have together. She made it for me every year on my birthday. A couple of years ago mom taught me how to make this for myself. I’ve tweaked the recipe from time to time to suit my own tastes, but this is still a “Mom meal” as far as I’m concerned. I decided to start a new tradition, to make this meal every year and remember her on her birthday. Hopefully, next year I can share this with people I care about. I love you mom, and I miss you.

From my Facebook on April 10, 2021

Still thinking of you Mom. Thanks for teaching me this recipe.

Thanks Mom, this is my best one yet.

Some hastily taken notes one time over the phone.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of ground ham
  • 1 pound of ground sausage
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup of breadcrumbs
  • diced onion, garlic, pepper as desired

Glaze

  • Make a glaze with brown sugar and vinegar
  • Or thin out some Sweet and Sour sauce

Bake at 350 for 2 hours. Re-glaze as needed during baking

Ingredients

  • 1lb. ground ham
  • 1lb. ground sausage
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 small white onion, diced
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, finely diced

Thoroughly mix ingredients and fill a bread pan. Let the loaf rest in the pan for 20 minutes. Add cover the top of the load with glaze or sweet and sour sauce. Bake at 350 to 375 for two hours.

Glaze

  • Make a simple glaze with white vinegar and brown sugar
  • Alternatively, use some sweet and sour sauce. Note that the sugars may burn and give a blackened appearance, but it is still tasty. Don’t add the this until the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Note about ground ham

Ground ham can be hard to find at most stores. If you can’t find it, get any large piece of ham. Cut 1lb. of ham into large chunks, then grind it in a food processor. Use the pulse setting in small busts, being careful not to over-grid it.

Serve with potatoes and fresh veggies. Leftovers are great for breakfast. Reheat a small slice of ham load in a skillet and serve with eggs.

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