Asparagus Ham Hock And Potato Salad Food

SPRING ASPARAGUS, HAM AND POTATO SALAD - HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING

Steps:

• Make up the dressing by putting all the dressing ingredients into a jar and shaking it well. The dressing can be made up well in advance.
• Choose two attractive plates or bowls and start to assemble the salad.
• Place the potatoes on the plate/bowl first and then arrange the strips of ham & asparagus spears over the top - gently mix through to "just" mingle the ingredients together.
• Next, scatter the minced/finely diced red onion over and then the sliced cornichons - if you are using them.
• Pour over the honey & mustard dressing - giving the salad a liberal dousing!
• Season and scatter the chopped chives and/or the chopped chervil over the top.
• Serve with crusty bread & a glass of crisp, chilled white Chablis or Chardonnay!
• Optional ideas:.
• You could also add peas, broad beans, olives or crispy bacon!

SHEET-PAN HAM, ASPARAGUS AND HASSELBACK POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425˚ F. Melt the butter with the garlic, thyme sprigs and a large pinch each of salt and pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat; remove from the heat and let sit 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the ham: Stir together the fig jam, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves; set aside. Score lines in a crosshatch pattern, 1 inch apart, into the top and sides of the ham; loosely wrap in a large sheet of heavy-duty foil, pouring 1/4 cup water over the ham before sealing. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
• Make the potatoes: Cut a thin sliver from one long side of a potato so that it sits flat; position cut-side down between the handles of two wooden spoons. Using a sharp knife, make cuts in the potato 1/8 inch apart, stopping when your knife hits the spoon handles (do not cut all the way through). Repeat with the remaining potatoes. Arrange on the baking sheet with the ham, drizzle with half of the garlic butter and season generously with salt and pepper. Bake 40 minutes.
• Open the foil and brush the ham with two-thirds of the fig glaze (leave the foil open). Drizzle the potatoes with the remaining garlic butter. Bake until a thermometer inserted into the center of the ham reaches 145˚ F, the glaze is browned and the potatoes are very tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 30 to 40 more minutes.
• Make the asparagus: Toss the asparagus with the olive oil, shallot, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Brush the ham with the remaining glaze. Push the potatoes to one side of the baking sheet and sprinkle with the cheese. Spread the asparagus in the open space on the baking sheet. Continue baking until the ham glaze is sticky, the cheese on the potatoes is melted and the asparagus is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Let the ham rest 10 minutes, then slice. Sprinkle the potatoes with the thyme leaves and chives. Serve with rolls.

HAM AND MUSTARD POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Wash potatoes and cut into half or quarter (according to size of potato) and boil or steam them until just tender.
• When cooked mix the potatoes, ham, asparagus, tomatoes, spring onions and half the chives, and toss gently with the mayonnaise, sour cream and mustard.
• Chill. until cold and arrange the salad onto a serving plate, sprinkle with the remainder of the chives and serve immediately.

HAM AND POTATOES WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F or grill to medium-high. Spray foil with nonstick spray.
• Center half of potatoes on each sheet of aluminum foil. Top with ham and asparagus. Spoon one-fourth of container of alfredo sauce over top of each servings; reserve remaining alfredo sauce for future use.
• Bring up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to seal packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside. Repeat to make two packets.
• Bake 20 to 22 minutes on a cookie sheet in oven or grill 13 to 15 minutes in covered grill.

CRISPY PARMA HAM AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the eggs in a pan of boiling water for exactly 8 minutes. Sit a steamer or colander over the eggs, put in the asparagus, cover and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender - alternatively, cook in a pan of water for 2-3 minutes.
• Drain the eggs and asparagus and cool under cold water.
• Melt the butter in a small pan than, with a wire whisk, beat in some lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
• Heat a ridged griddle pan. Cook the slices of parma ham, two at a time in the hot pan for 30 seconds on each side. Set aside on kitchen paper. Cook the asparagus in the hot pan for 2-3 minutes to give light bar marks.
• Shell and halve the eggs and arrange on four plates with the asparagus, topped with the crispy parma ham. Drizzle over the lemon butter dressing. Scatter over some shaved parmesan and top with a good grind of black pepper. A glass or two of chilled white wine is the perfect accompaniment to this dish.