Cheddar Polenta Biscuits With Ham Salad Food

CHEDDAR BISCUITS WITH COUNTRY HAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pepper, and salt. Add the buttermilk and butter and mix just until incorporated. Don't overmix. Add 2 cups of the Cheddar (leave the rest of the cheese out to come to room temperature) and the green onions and quickly mix to combine. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
• When you are ready to bake, spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray. Tear off pieces of dough and roll into balls about the size of a golf ball. Arrange them on the baking sheets, brush them with a little buttermilk, and bake them until golden brown, about 10 to 14 minutes.
• In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, whip the remaining room temperature cheese until it is smooth.
• Slice each biscuit in half and spread a teaspoon of whipped Cheddar onto the bottom. Cut a piece of ham to fit and put it on top of the Cheddar. Dollop with 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Jelly and cover with the top of the biscuit. Repeat with remaining ingredients and arrange on serving platters to serve.
• Red Pepper Jelly:
• Add the peppers in the bowl of a food processor and process until they are coarsely chopped but not pureed. Transfer the peppers to a large pot and add the cider vinegar, sugar, salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and jalapeno. Mix well.
• Put the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Add the pectin and continue to cook at a slow rolling boil, stirring frequently, until the jelly drips very slowly from a metal spoon, about 20 minutes. Pour into jars, let cool, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

LAYERED HAM AND CHEESE BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Pulse the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and 1/2 cup of the Cheddar and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal with pea-size bits of butter remaining. Add the buttermilk and pulse a few times, until the dough just comes together.
• Turn the dough out onto a work surface that's lightly dusted with flour, then pat into a 7-by-7-inch square that's about 1 inch thick. Scatter half of the ham and 1/4 cup of the Cheddar on half of the dough, then fold the other half of dough over like a book; gently pinch the edges to seal. Pat the dough out again into a 7-by-7-inch square, scatter the remaining ham and 1/4 cup of cheese on top and fold the dough over like a book. Press once more into a 7-by-7-inch square.
• Use a sharp chef's knife to cut the dough into 12 even rectangular pieces. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops of each piece with additional buttermilk. Bake until the biscuits are puffed and well browned, 18 to 20 minutes.

CREAMY CHEDDAR POLENTA WITH FRESH HERBS

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups of water, the milk and a very large pinch of salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce the heat so the liquid is at a low simmer, and add the cornmeal in a slow and steady stream, constantly whisking to prevent lumps. Cook the polenta at a low simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes; if the mixture gets too thick, add water 1/2 cup at a time.
• Remove from the heat, stir in the butter and olive oil and then stir in the Cheddar. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Serve immediately in mini cups, topped with chopped herbs

CHEESY POLENTA AND HAM GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Melt butter in small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until softened but not browned, stirring frequently.
• Add whipping cream and Parmesan cheese; mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook 2 to 4 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
• Arrange polenta slices, overlapping and layering if necessary, in bottom of sprayed baking dish. Top with ham and Swiss cheese. Pour sauce over top.
• Bake at 425°F. for 20 to 25 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is lightly browned. Sprinkle with parsley.

PARMESAN POLENTA WITH HAM

Steps:

• Combine milk, 5 tablespoons butter, salt, pepper and nutmeg in heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat. Gradually whisked in cornmeal. Stir until mixture is very thick and beginning to pull away from sides of pan, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in ham, 3/4 cup cheese and egg. Transfer polenta to 8 x 8 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Dot with 1 tablespoon butter. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons cheese. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover; refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Bake polenta uncovered until heated through and beginning to brown on top, about 30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.

HAM AND SHARP CHEDDAR BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500°F
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine onion and butter in a skillet over medium-low heat and cook until tender but not browned, about 5 minutes; cool.
• In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; add butter and mix with your fingers until mealy in texture. Add the onions, buttermilk, ham and cheese, stirring in with a spatula until just incorporated, but it still should be a bit loose.
• Scoop out the batter with a large spoon to form 12 biscuits and lightly shape them with floured hands.
• Arrange close together on the baking sheet for soft biscuits, or spread them apart for crisper biscuits.
• Brush with hot melted butter.
• Bake 5 minutes then reduce temperature to 450F and bake a further 15 minutes or until deep golden brown.
• Cool in pan for several minutes then invert onto kitchen towel.
• Turn right side up and serve hot.