Andy Montoya
Ham steaks with pineapple and cheese is a versatile, tasty, and easy-to-cook meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. The salty-sweet flavor combination of the ham and pineapple is mouthwatering, and the dish can be served with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. This recipe is perfect for beginner cooks and can be adapted to use fresh or canned pineapple, depending on your preference.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prep time | Under 30 minutes |
| Serving suggestions | Oven-roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, sweet potato wedges, sweet and sour green beans, roasted potatoes, dinner rolls, glazed carrots, Caesar salad |
| Ingredients | Ham steaks, pineapple rings, pineapple juice, brown sugar, dijon mustard, butter, allspice, cherries |
| Equipment | Baking sheet, mixing bowl, spoon or basting brush, oven, skillet, broiling pan rack |
| Cooking instructions | Cut ham steaks in half, sear in butter, bake in oven, make glaze, top ham steaks with pineapple slices and drizzle with glaze |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the glaze
The glaze for the ham steaks with pineapple and cheese can be made with a few simple ingredients. The base of the glaze is pineapple juice, which is used to tenderize the ham and give it a sweet and tangy flavour. You can use the juice from a can of pineapple rings or fresh pineapple juice. If you use canned pineapple, be sure to reserve the juice!
To make the glaze, you'll need to combine the pineapple juice with brown sugar and dijon mustard. The brown sugar adds a sweet and sticky element to the glaze, while the dijon mustard provides a tangy and savoury flavour. You can adjust the proportions of these ingredients to your taste preferences, but a good starting point is equal parts pineapple juice and brown sugar, with a smaller amount of mustard.
Combine the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk until they are thoroughly combined and the brown sugar has dissolved. You can also make the glaze directly in the skillet or baking dish, melting the brown sugar in the butter or pan juices and then adding the pineapple juice and mustard. If your glaze becomes too thick, you can thin it out with a little extra pineapple juice.
The glaze should be thick but pourable, so it easily coats the ham steaks. You can adjust the consistency by adding more pineapple juice or cooking the glaze over low heat until it reaches your desired thickness.
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Searing the ham steaks
Once the steaks are sliced, it's time to prepare the searing process. This involves heating a large skillet over medium heat and adding a tablespoon of butter. It is important to ensure that the butter is melted and evenly coats the surface of the skillet. The amount of butter used may vary depending on the size of the skillet and the number of ham steaks being prepared.
After the butter is melted, it's time to add the ham steaks to the skillet. Place the steaks in the skillet carefully, ensuring they do not overlap and have sufficient space to cook evenly. Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to sear the ham steaks in batches to avoid overcrowding. Aim for about 2 minutes of cooking time per side, or until the steaks are lightly browned.
During the searing process, keep an eye on the butter in the skillet. It is normal for the butter to brown slightly, but if it starts to burn, reduce the heat under the skillet. The goal is to achieve a nice, light browning on the surface of the ham steaks without burning them. Once the steaks are lightly browned, transfer them to a large baking dish and repeat the searing process with the remaining steaks, adding more butter to the skillet as needed.
By searing the ham steaks, you not only impart a beautiful color and flavor to the meat but also create a foundation for the delicious glaze that will be added later. The searing process helps to seal in the juices and develop a flavorful base for the rest of the recipe.
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Baking the ham steaks
Now, it's time to make the glaze. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard until they are thoroughly combined. You can also add allspice to the glaze. Using a spoon or basting brush, drizzle the glaze onto each slice of ham steak. Place a pineapple ring on each ham steak and put them in the oven to bake. You can also add cherries on top of the ham steaks. The ham is ready when it is warmed, and the glaze is browned.
The ham steaks should be baked at an oven temperature of between 350°F and 400°F. The baking time ranges from 10 to 25 minutes. Once the ham steaks are done, let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
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Choosing a side dish
Ham steak and pineapple is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes. When choosing a side dish, it is important to consider the balance of flavours and textures to complement the sweetness and saltiness of the main course. Here are some ideas for side dishes that will enhance your ham steak and pineapple meal:
Oven-roasted vegetables are a simple and quick option that pairs well with the dish. You can choose a variety of vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and green beans. Roasting the vegetables adds a depth of flavour and a crispy texture that contrasts nicely with the tenderness of the ham steaks.
Mashed potatoes or oven-roasted potatoes are another great choice to accompany the ham steaks. Potatoes provide a starchy component to the meal and their neutral flavour complements the more pronounced flavours of the pineapple and glaze.
For a lighter option, consider serving a fresh and crisp Caesar salad. The cool, crisp lettuce and savoury dressing can balance out the richness of the ham and provide a refreshing contrast to the sweet and salty main course.
Dinner rolls are also a classic choice to accompany a hearty meal like ham steaks. They can be used to soak up the delicious glaze and juices from the dish, providing a satisfying and comforting dining experience.
Lastly, you can never go wrong with some glazed carrots on the side. The natural sweetness of carrots pairs beautifully with the brown sugar glaze on the ham steaks, creating a harmonious flavour profile.
When selecting side dishes, feel free to get creative and experiment with different options to find your favourite combinations. Remember to consider the balance of flavours, textures, and colours on your plate to make your ham steak and pineapple meal a true delight for the senses.
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Adding cheese
While the above recipe is delicious as it is, you can also add cheese to it. Here are some tips on how to do that:
Choosing the cheese
The type of cheese you select can make or break your dish. For this particular recipe, it is best to choose a cheese that melts well and has a strong flavour that can stand up to the sweetness of the pineapple and the saltiness of the ham. Some good options include cheddar, Swiss cheese, mozzarella, or a combination of these.
Adding the cheese
There are a few ways you can add cheese to this ham and pineapple dish:
- Sprinkle grated cheese on top of the ham steaks before adding the pineapple and glaze. This method ensures that the cheese melts into the ham and takes on the flavours of the other ingredients.
- Create a cheese sauce to pour over the ham steaks. You can make a simple cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, adding flour and milk, and then gradually adding grated cheese until you have a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Add slices of cheese to the ham steaks before topping them with pineapple. This method creates a more distinct layer of cheese, and you can even slightly toast the cheese under the grill for a few extra minutes after removing the ham steaks from the oven.
Balancing the flavours
When adding cheese to this recipe, it is important to consider the balance of flavours. Cheese can be quite rich and overwhelming, so you may need to adjust the amount of glaze or pineapple you use. You could also add some extra spices or herbs to complement the cheese, such as paprika, black pepper, or fresh parsley.
Serving suggestions
If you want to make this dish even more indulgent, consider serving it with cheese-based side dishes. For example, you could make a cheesy potato gratin or cauliflower cheese. Alternatively, a simple side of macaroni and cheese would also be delicious. Just remember that the ham steaks themselves will be quite rich due to the addition of cheese, so you may want to keep the sides relatively simple to avoid overwhelming the dish.
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