This coming weekend is Memorial Day and the official start of BBQ season. That means lots of ribs, burgers, steaks, kebabs and corn on the cob. If you are going to invite friends over, it will take some planning. What if you are not in the mood for cooking for lots of folks this weekend? Well don’t. You can still have that BBQ shindig, but for just 2 or 3. This is what we will be having at our Memorial Day BBQ.
Grilled Ham Steak with Pear Topping
For Two
I am not a huge fan of ham steak, but my husband is, so over the years I have worked on making ham steaks taste good. I learned that to make the meat tender, it is important to marinate the steaks overnight. To avoid a dry end result, cook them quickly on the grill and make a flavorful topping. Here is my recipe and it works for us.
Ham Marinade
- Juice of one orange – (save the orange rind for the braised carrot recipe below)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 fully cooked boneless ham steak (1- 3/4 pounds)
Pear Topping
- 1 Bartlett pear, cored and diced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ cup of pecans
Directions
In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the marinade ingredients. Add ham; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate overnight.
Heat an outdoor grill. Brush the grates with oil
On a sheet of heavy-duty foil large enough to hold the diced pears, place the diced pears and pecans in the center of the foil. Dot with the butter and sprinkle on the brown sugar and ginger.
Close the foil into a package and place on the grill Cook for 10 minutes before placing the ham on the grill.
Drain the ham from the marinade and reserve the marinade. Rotate the pear packet on the grill.
Grill the ham steak over medium-hot heat for 3 minutes on each side, basting frequently with the reserved marinade.
Remove the pear packet and spoon the pear sauce over the ham.
Cheddar Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons butter
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
In a large bowl, whisk flour, cornmeal, baking soda, salt and pepper; make a well in center of flour mixture.
Whisk together the buttermilk, honey and eggs. Add to the flour mixture and gently incorporate the dry ingredients. Mix in the cheese.
Place the butter in an 8-inch baking pan and place the pan in the oven until the butter melts. Remove the pan from oven and tilt to coat bottom and sides.
Pour the batter into the buttered pan and bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.
Let cornbread cool 15 minutes before cutting.
Braised Carrots and Fennel
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¾ lb carrots (1 fresh bunch; about 6 or 7) – cut into matchsticks
- 1 fennel bulb – ends trimmed, bulb cut in half, each half cored and cut lengthwise in 1/8″ slices
- 2 strips of orange zest – 1″ x 4″ long
- 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds – crushed in a mortar
- 5 tablespoons orange juice
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Directions
Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat. Add the butter, olive oil and honey. Stir well and add the carrots, fennel, orange zest and fennel seeds.
Toss until the slices are well coated with the oil. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the fennel starts to soften, tossing occasionally.
Add the orange juice, salt and pepper. Toss quickly and reduce heat to between medium and medium-low. Cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Uncover the pan. Raise heat to high and fast-simmer until the juices have all evaporated, about 5 minutes. Remove orange zest and stir in the dill.
Lemon Coconut Cupcakes
20 cupcakes
Ingredients
Cake
- 18.5 oz pkg. Lemon Supreme cake mix
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature and very soft
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- Cupcake liners
Coconut Topping
This frosting is very stable and does not melt or weep at room temperature like many standard whipped cream frostings or change in any way under refrigeration.
- One 8 oz pkg low-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon coconut extract
- 2 cups cold heavy (whipping) cream
- Sweetened shredded coconut
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Coat muffin cups with cooking spray and place a cupcake liner in each.
In the large bowl of an electric mixer, combine the cake ingredients. Then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Using an ice cream scoop fill the muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake 15 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean.
Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove them to a wire rack. Cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting
Combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar and coconut extract in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.
Fit the mixer with the whisk attachment and mix on medium speed until smooth.
While the mixture is still whipping, slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stop and scrape the bottom of the bowl a couple of times, while you continue whipping until the cream can hold a stiff peak.
Spread each cupcake generously with the frosting and top each with sweetened coconut. Press the coconut lightly, so it sticks to the frosting. Chill until serving time.
