Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Baked Ham Balls

Yum
Many many years ago, I was a horribly fussy eater. I didn't even like meatballs. How could I not like meatballs? Well, I had a deep fear of my mom trying to sneak mushrooms, or God forbid... cream of mushroom soup into anything I would eat. It was absolutely forbidden for any mushroom fragment to touch my food. If anything was suspicious, I would do a full dissection on it until I knew for a fact that they were not trying to pull one over on me!

But, when Mom would make her Baked Ham Balls, it was my absolute favorite! There were no mushrooms to worry about in this dish! She made these on special occasions, or when there was company coming. It makes a big batch, so I was always extra excited because I knew that we always had leftovers! I did downsize this recipe, or we would have enough meatballs to last us until we have a 6 month summer! These are such a lovely variation to a traditional meatball. A special treat for guests, or just to treat yourself!



Baked Ham Balls

Meatballs
1 lb. ground ham
1 lb. ground pork
1/2 lb ground beef
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 eggs
1 cup milk 

Sauce
1 can tomato soup
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
1/3 cup vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking pan with foil (I needed two pans).  In large mixing bowl, combine ham, pork, beef, cracker crumbs, eggs, and half of the milk. Add remainder of milk, slowly, only as needed. You don't want so much milk that you can't roll the mixture into balls.  When all ingredients are combined, roll into balls using about 1/3 cup per meatball. Place meatballs in pan.

In medium bowl, combine soup, brown sugar, mustard and vinegar. Whisk until mixed well. Pour sauce over meatballs.  Bake for one hour, basting after 30 minutes, and again 15 minutes later.

Enjoy!!

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28 comments:

  1. Those look delicious! I have some I made in the freezer. I'll try that sauce on them.

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  2. OOOOH! I've never heard of these! Going on my bucket list!!! Great photo too, hooker!

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  3. Yummo! These look fantastic! Thanks for the recipe.

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  4. So funny about your picky eating. I think we all went through a phase like that as kids!

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  5. My mother used to make these...so glad to see the recipe again. However, I don't think she used graham crackers...thanks

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  6. My hubby would LOVE these! Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe - looks great! :)

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  7. Thanks for sharing this meatball recipe on the foodie friends friday linkey! It looks delicious, and I can guess why you would fall in love with it. I am pinning it so that when next I make meatballs I will make these, and it won't be long off. Happy baking Deb@ Kneaded Creations

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  8. mmm...these look soo good! thanks for sharing this great recipe, i'll certainly make it.

    now i am hungry!:))

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  9. Oooh, I'm sure I'd l like these!

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  10. I want to try these.they look delicious!

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  11. Do you have a recommendation for the ham? Is there a special type to grind? Sorry....have never had it before. Thanks!

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    1. Debra - When I want to make these, I just ask the meat department at my local grocery to grind ham for me. I am not sure exactly what they are grinding, but I think it would be the same as when we buy a "Ham Steak".

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  12. I've never put ham in my meatballs or hamburger - just the pork and beef. My sauce is tomato soup but not sweet. I put lots and lots of onions in. I shape them into burgers and serve them on buns with lots of onion on them~!!

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  13. How many does this make?

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  14. I'm tempted to try to blitz up small pieces of ham steak in my food processor the way I do when I made ham salad. A few pulses usually does it. The picture for this is sooo good looking.

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  15. My husband is from Iowa and everyone had this recipe! Delicious. We continued the tradition for Christmas until about 5 years age when meat markets and butchers were no longer allowed to grind ham. Most ridiculous rule. We can smoke marijuana in CO but they cannot cross grind meats! That's what they call it. If they grind beef for hambuger they cannot grind pork. I've called every grocery store and butcher w/in 50 miles of us and no one has 2 grinders.

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    1. Oh my gosh.... That is so disappointing to hear. We have a meat grinder now, so I haven't had to ask for quite a while now.

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    2. Amma is right. My husband grew up in Iowa and we always had his mom's ham ball recipe every Christmas. I almost cried when I called every store and meat locker for miles around to grind ham for me and could not find anyone to do it. They said it was against CO state law. The last place I found it was at a locker in Elizabeth, CO. Rancher land. I wish I knew someone who owned a meat grinder.

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    3. I had a hard time finding ground ham or a butcher who could do it for me here in SE Minnesota. One grocery store had it in one pound packs (just like pork). The company name is Fricks and they are out of Missouri. 1Z8684740103534373

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  16. Is it really graham cracker crumbs or just regular cracker crumbs?

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  17. Thanks for sharing at Meal Plan Monday! Don't forget to link back for a chance to be featured ;) These look amazing!!!

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  18. Could the ham be left overs like from the Easter baked ham. Maybe I could grind with my food processor?

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    1. Cheryl ~ While grinding it with your food processor would be fine, I personally wouldn't use leftover ham. I absolutely would not try it with a spiral sliced ham. Other wise, depending on the type of ham, and how you prepare it, I feel it would be to dry. If you do try it, I'd love to hear how it turns out for you.

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  19. I've only made ham balls once and this has be wanting to do it again. Being so close to Iowa, it's surprising I had never heard of them. But thank goodness for the internet teaching about all the things I've been missing out on!

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  20. Kroger's sells ground ham in 1-lb tubes in the ham section (diced,cubed,slices,etc.)of the grocery store here in Michigan.

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  21. I just recently had these ham Balls and let me tell you they are fabulous! Tender, moist, and delicious!

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