My Iowa friend brought these balls over and my hubby couldn’t stop eating them!
Embark on a culinary journey as we explore the art of making Iowa Baked Ham Balls. This delectable recipe brings together the rich flavors of smoked ham, fresh pork, and a sweet glaze. Follow our step-by-step guide to create a dish that’s sure to impress your family and friends.
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Ingredients:
| INGREDIENT | QUANTITY |
|---|---|
| Ground Smoked Ham | 1 1/2 pounds |
| Ground Fresh Pork | 1/2 pound |
| Graham Cracker Crumbs | 2/3 cup |
| Milk | 3/4 cup |
| Finely Chopped Onion | 1/4 cup |
| Beaten Egg | 1 |
| Black Pepper | 1/2 teaspoon |
For the Glaze:
| INGREDIENT | QUANTITY |
|---|---|
| Brown Sugar | 3/4 cup |
| Vinegar | 1/4 cup (apple cider or white) |
| Dry Mustard | 1 teaspoon |
| Water | 1/2 cup |
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Prepare Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground smoked ham, ground fresh pork, graham cracker crumbs, milk, finely chopped onion, beaten egg, and black pepper.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly by hand, ensuring an even blend.
- Shape Ham Balls:
- Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls using your hands.
- Place the formed ham balls in the prepared baking dish, arranging them closely for even baking.
- Prepare Glaze:
- In a small saucepan, whisk together brown sugar, vinegar, dry mustard, and water over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Apply Glaze:
- Pour the glistening glaze evenly over the ham balls, allowing it to seep down around them.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, until the tops of the ham balls are golden brown and the glaze is bubbly.
- Gently baste the ham balls with the glaze occasionally during baking to enhance flavor.
- Serve:
- Once baked to perfection, remove the Iowa Baked Ham Balls from the oven.
- Serve them hot, and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors.
