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The name of this product comes from the word “dilapidated”, although this does not mean that it is old and unusable. Chefs came up with ham as food for long-term storage. Even in ancient times, after special processing, people could store pieces of meat for months. Today, the meaning of this word has changed a little.
Now we call smoked or salted pork ham, and there are hundreds of variations of this product. But is it possible to use the leftover ham for other purposes?
The Story
Today, this pork product is known all over the world. Historians attribute the domestication of pigs to the Chinese. In 4900 BC, they first prepared a dish from a domesticated pig.
Europe learned the taste of homemade pork only in 1500 BC. By the XVII century, these domestic animals had already reached the New World and Africa. At that time, salted pork had already gained worldwide popularity. The chefs of Ancient Rome prepared something similar to this product.
The first canned ham appeared in the twentieth century. The American George Hormel invented it in 1926. Ham, according to his recipe, filled with a jelly-like substance, can still be bought in supermarkets today.
And although the classic ham is a meat dish made from pork. Traditionally, pork ham is taken for the dish, although some gourmets prefer the back or front shoulder blade, which is first salted, and then slightly pumped up.
Varieties and types of ham
Depending on the method of manufacture, ham can be:
- raw smoked
- boiled
- boiled-smoked
- molded
- canned
- smoked
- dried
All types of ham are suitable for further processing and reuse.
Possible harm
When soldiers went to war, they dipped the meat in turnips to prevent rotting. Ham provided the soldiers with protein, energy, and nutrients that you can find in pork.
But for a modern person, the daily use of ham is not always justified. At least, nutritionists are trying to convince you of this. And several reasons are given for confirmation:
Sodium. High sodium content is one of the main dangers of ham. The finished product contains a lot of sodium (in an 80-gram slice there is 1270 mg of 1500 mg of the recommended daily allowance).
Excessive salt intake does not have the best effect on health. As a result of sodium overdoses, bloating, hypertension, joint inflammation, or their exacerbation are possible.
Fats and calories. Ham is rich in saturated fats, and this is also not very good news. Most of the calories in this product come from fat. Too frequent consumption of saturated lipids (they remain solid at room temperature) leads to an increase in cholesterol, the formation of “plaques” in the vessels, and subsequently – cardiovascular diseases.
A slice of ham, weighing only 25 grams, contains about 50 calories, and most of them come from fats. To reduce the calorie content and get rid of excess fat, you can send the ham to the oven for a while, after making a few cuts on a piece of meat (this will speed up the fat drain).
Cancer. In 2007, researchers who studied the impact of different types of products on health came to a disappointing conclusion. Regular consumption of ham and some other meat products can increase the risk of cancer by almost 20 percent.
Most often, colon or lung cancer occurs. And in 2012, researchers also proved that processed meat increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
Beneficial properties
We can not say that ham is a harmful product. Like other types of red meat, it serves as a rich source of proteins (almost 40% of the daily norm for adults). In addition, it is a storehouse of significant minerals and vitamins.
Consumption of this delicacy will replenish the reserves of copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc, riboflavin, vitamins B6 and B12.
A portion of ham on average is 41 % of the daily norm of thiamine; 16 % of riboflavin; 26 % of niacin; 13 % of vitamin B6; 10 % of vitamin B12. These substances are necessary to maintain the proper functioning of the liver, the health of the skin, eyes, and hair.
Also named vitamins will help support proper digestion and provide the body with the necessary energy.
What to do with leftover ham?
If there is leftover ham in the refrigerator, do not rush to throw it away. It is enough to put all this together and prepare a tasty dish.
You can safely use the freshest ones in salads and other dishes that do not require heat treatment (pita bread roll, canapes). However, in no case should you use completely old scraps for cooking that have an unpleasant smell or traces of mold, they can be dangerous for your health.
But little cherished ones are perfect for making hot sandwiches, as well as for soups, second courses, as a filling for pizza, or any other baking: pies, puffs, muffins.
As quick options, you can prepare:
- Hot sandwiches. You can put absolutely any vegetables in them, in addition to the remnants of meat delicacies. The sandwich will be not only delicious but also beneficial.
- Fried eggs with meat additives. To the eggs, as in the case of sandwiches, you can add vegetables to your taste: tomatoes, bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, and any greens.
- Pita bread roll has recently become a frequent snack on the everyday and festive table. It is a bright, hearty, and tasty snack. If there are enough ham leftovers, this is an excellent choice.
- Pizza “Cold cuts”. You can prepare such a dish in 30-45 minutes. It will be a great snack. Moreover, ham goes well with the dough, and cooks often add it to this dish.
- The main ingredient of this dish is sausage or ham. Since the soup is cooked for a long time, even a slightly spoiled ham will be able to cook well.
- Meat sauce. You can make it from the remains of ham, tomato paste, onions, garlic, and ground pepper.
Leftover ham recipes for dinner
After a festive feast, numerous products often remain. The most common of them is ham. What can you do with it? Almost everything, from spaghetti to pizza and muffins. From the remnants of ham, you can make yourself a full-fledged dinner.
- Hamara Spaghetti. If you have some ham left and you don’t know what to do with it, one of the best dishes you can cook is Hamara spaghetti. Mix the ham with spaghetti, eggs, and parmesan, resulting in a hearty pasta with a rich taste. Serve it with a green salad and crusty bread and enjoy. It is best to use a thick slice of ham and chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- Pizza with turkey. If you are not indifferent to cooking your pizza, add a little chopped turkey to the dough with vegetables and sauce and sprinkle everything with cheese. You will get an independent dish for a perfect lunch or dinner.
- Muffins with ham. If you are working during the festive period and need a good lunch with you, muffins with ham, spinach, and feta cheese are a great option. Just bake the above ingredients together with eggs, butter, milk, and flour, and then enjoy when it’s convenient for you.
- Fried rice with ham and pineapples. Fried rice always pleases the family, and, as in the case of muffins, you can put anything in this dish, and it will be delicious. Just cut all the ingredients into bite-sized pieces and add them to the dish during its preparation.
Leftover ham recipes pasta
Pasta in tomato sauce with mushrooms and ham is a delicious dish for dinner. You can use the leftover ham in it.
Necessary ingredients:
- Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
- Tomato puree – 4 tablespoons
- Porcini mushrooms-200 g
- Ham – 100 g
- Pasta – 250 g
Step-by-step recipe:
- Cook the pasta
- Cut the ham and cooked mushrooms into small noodles
- Fry them in oil
- Add tomato puree to the toasted ham and mushrooms
- Boil, mix with the pasta, stir and serve
Leftover ham casserole recipes
A simple and affordable potato casserole with ham will conquer you with its perfect taste. Sour cream sauce with cheese adds piquancy to the dish, which goes perfectly with the filling.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes – 6 Pieces
- Ham – 350 Grams
- Onion – 1 Piece
- Carrot – 1 Piece
- Sour Cream – 200 Grams
- Hard cheese – 150 Grams
- Egg – 1 Piece
- Salt and pepper – to taste
Step-by-step recipe:
- For the filling: fry the onion, carrot, and ham in a frying pan
- For the sauce: whisk the egg with sour cream, grated cheese, and sauce
- Grease the baking sheet with oil and start assembling the casserole
- Layout the ingredients in layers: potato slices – filling – sauce -potatoes – filling – sauce
- Bake the dish in the oven for 45 minutes
How long is leftover ham good for?
First of all, the duration of the suitability of a delicatessen product depends on storage. In addition, its recipe also affects how long it will stay at home. Therefore, the following terms of its suitability are distinguished:
- In the refrigerator. The shelf life of boiled ham is no more than a week. At the same time, when buying it, pay special attention to the packaging. It should be made of parchment paper, but in no case from foil. In the latter case, the product can quickly begin to oxidize. In addition, after opening, the shelf life of the ham will not exceed three days. Then it is desirable to use it quickly. Meanwhile, for raw smoked ham, the suitability can last up to 6 weeks.
- In the freezer. Here, the shelf life of ham is usually up to 6 months. At the same time, it is recommended to wrap the product in a tight cellophane package.
The general requirement for these storage locations is dry air (no more than 75% humidity). To extend the shelf life of the ham, wrap the product in natural, and preferably in a linen cloth.
Can I freeze leftover ham?
Before freezing, cut the ham into small portions. With this method, you do not have to defrost every time before using it. With meat, it often happens that we end up buying more than we need.
And then we start trying to finish off the food before it spoils. Whether it is boiled or raw ham, the main method of freezing remains the same.
Freezing procedure:
- Cut large pieces of meat into smaller pieces.
- Wrap the portions tightly in foil or plastic wrap.
- Place the ham in an airtight container or bag with a zipper lock. If you put the meat in bags, remove excess air before sealing.
- Place the ham in the refrigerator.
If you own a vacuum packaging machine, all you have to do is put small portions of ham in vacuum sealing bags and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
The machine will remove any excess air and seal the package well, thereby making the meat ready for storage in the freezer.
Store the frozen ham in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Or simply place the sealed unopened bag and the ham in a bowl of water. As soon as the temperature reaches room temperature, you can heat the bowl in the microwave.
Raw frozen hams may become watery after defrosting. If this happens, rinse the meat with water and pat it dry. Avoid re-freezing cooked ham.
Remember that the taste and texture of the meat will slightly change after freezing. To reduce the impact of the changes, wrap the ham well to prevent any exposure to direct cold. It will help you avoid severe freezing of the meat.
What happens if you eat expired ham?
You should consider the food spoiled immediately after the expiration date on the package. If you eat spoiled food, you may develop food poisoning. It can express nausea, vomiting, and dehydration.
Final thoughts
Leftover ham is an excellent product for further use. You can add this ingredient to many dishes. Among them: pasta, roll, omelet, meat sauce, and pizza.
All these dishes are prepared quickly enough and help to reveal the multifaceted taste of ham. If you have leftover ham-do not throw them away, because you can cook so many things.
The main thing is to pay attention to the shelf life of the product. Do not use spoiled ham leftovers with a bad color or smell. It can lead to serious poisoning or intoxication of the body. Meat is a good environment for the reproduction and development of pathogenic bacteria.