Orange Glazed Ham Balls

With it being Easter this weekend, Fareways had ham loaf on sale so I bought some.  Today I’m sharing my recipe for ham balls.  This is a large recipe, so you may want to cut it down if you are not feeding a lot of people. 

Meat

2 eggs

1 cup crushed graham crackers

3 pounds ham loaf

Glaze

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup orange juice (You may substitute tomato juice if you like but I prefer orange)

5 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon corn starch

Dash of hot sauce or some red pepper flakes (to taste)

1 teaspoon onion powder

Salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl, combine the eggs and cracker crumbs.  Add to ham loaf and mix well with your hands. Shape into walnut sized balls. Place on greased 9 × 13 baking pan. Bake uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, vinegar, orange juice and mustard. Bring to a boil; simmer and stir for 2 minutes. Mix one tablespoon water with cornstarch and make a slurry.  Add the slurry to glaze and boil until thickened.  Add your hot sauce, onion powder and salt and pepper to taste and stir well.  If you really like heat you can add a ½ teaspoon of pepper flakes.  Add your ham balls to the syrup glaze and let simmer until the balls are well coated with the glaze.  

They are great for bunch or a meat dish for dinner.  You can also serve them as an appetizer by sticking them with toothpicks and serving them on a platter.  They can be frozen and easily heated up for another meal.  Toss them in a crock pot and take them to a pot luck.  They go wonderful with a baked mac and cheese casserole. 

Have a great day, be happy and may God bless you and yours.