Baked Ham with Pineapple Bread Pudding

Woke up to a bright, sunny Easter morning. I was ready to put on my frilly Easter dress, when old Mr. Thermometer said it was 25 degrees. I opted for my Easter turtleneck instead. Kinda losing the enthusiasm around here for the egg hunt and Easter baskets so the kids got a crisp $10 bill to spend on candy at the Pathmark. Happy Easter!! Took the whole family to shop for dinner after church because I have had a wicked, nasty cold. Nothing to earth shaking this year. But, like the Thanksgiving meal, tradition works best. This isn't a low cal meal so look elsewhere for that. Live a little.

We like the spiral, honey glazed ham. But when you are shopping on Easter for Easter dinner you don't get too many choices. No honey hams. Got a smoked one (7 pounder) that we glazed with a mixture of apricot preserves (1 cup), brown sugar(1/3 cup), and Dijon mustard (1/2 cup) and baked at 350 degrees for about an hour and a half. Basted it occasionally and I even got to take a nap while it cooked. Not spiral cut so, we had to slice it up ourselves. The husband said, "Best ham we have ever had!" Added a side of steamed artichokes. Wrapped these individually in plastic wrap and microwaved 5 of them for about 18 minutes total. Serve up with melted butter. The salted butter we had from Costco tasted way too salty. Even for my middle girl who keeps a salt lick next to her bed. Also, roasted some red potatoes in olive oil, white wine, thyme, and s&p. Good and mellow to cut the rich tastes of the other foods. My favorite addition to the meal (as well as my Adventureous Eater's) was the Pineapple Bread Pudding. Gooey, buttery cubed bread with pineapple chunks cooked up crunchy on top and squishy in the middle. Used a fresh pineapple this year so it was extra excellent.


Fresh Pineapple Bread Pudding

1 stick butter, melted, cooled a little
2 extra large eggs, slightly beaten
a few grates of fresh nutmeg or use the jar stuff
pinch of salt
1/2 fresh pineapple, cubed, about 2 cups
4 cups cubed, rustic bread
1/2 cup or so apple juice

Combine butter, eggs, nutmeg, and salt. Stir in pineapple and bread cubes. Add enough of the juice so that everything is moistened. Put into a casserole dish big enough to hold the mixture and bake at 375 for about 30 - 35 minutes.

*note -- can substitute a 20 oz can of pineapple chunks and then just use the juice from the can instead of the apple juice.