I seldom share recipes. Several people have asked for this recipe. It seems like a good thing to share my mom’s ham load recipe. It is the week after Easter and the perfect time to use that left over ham. Many of my friends on the east and west coasts have never heard of this Midwest staple. Just about any Lutheran church potluck has 2-3 of these to offer.

My mom, who was a high school cook, brought this recipe home from school in the early 70s. I have yet to find a better recipe. The recipe is definitely in the class of comfort food and not necessarily healthy eating. Sometimes you need to splurge to bring back memories of your youth and family around the dinner table. Here it is for you to enjoy compliments of my mother Marie.

Marie’s Ham Loaf

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground ham
1 lb. ground fresh pork
2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 beaten egg
Dash of pepper to taste

Instructions:

Mix the ingredients together and form into a loaf in a small roaster. You can also put the mixture in a loaf pan. Bake at 350º for 1½ hours. Spoon on the glaze (recipe follows) after the first hour and return to oven to finish baking.

GLAZE:

Mix together until smooth and blended:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
2 Tbsp. orange juice