Hempler’s Heavenly Ham

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By Katie Hurley

olympia bayview thriftway
Hempler’s Black Forest Ham and Chanterelle pizza

When Hans Hempler started selling meat in Bellingham in 1934, I doubt he envisioned his Black Forest ham thinly sliced on top of a pizza, baked in a cheesy cauliflower casserole or nestled inside a crispy Panini. But Hempler’s ham and bacon are favorites in our house, and there are countless mouth-watering ways to use them.

Hemplers, now located in Ferndale, Washington, produces a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner meats that are available at locally owned Ralph’s Thriftway and Bayview Thriftway stores. Hemplers’ products are free of allergens, gluten and MSG and are naturally hardwood smoked. Boneless whole hams, half hams, applewood smoked bacon, uncured franks and uncured pepperoni are available in the meat department, and deli selections include Uncured Ham and Artisan Sundried Tomato and Basil Roast Chicken, sliced to order.

A half or whole Hempler’s ham makes a great, hearty fall dinner, and the leftovers can be incorporated into some great meals for the next few days.

Hempler’s Black Forest Ham makes an excellent pizza topper. Prepare your favorite pizza crust dough – I like the Essential Baking Co. frozen dough available at Ralph’s and Bayview. Top the crust with a blend of grated cheese, very thinly sliced strips of Hempler’s ham and any other desired toppings such as sautéed diced chanterelle mushrooms or caramelized onions. Bake or grill according to the crust recipe or package instructions.

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Hempler’s ham makes this caulifornia “mac-n-cheese” unforgettable.

Cauliflower “Mac” and Cheese with Ham is another hearty family pleaser.  Steamed, chopped cauliflower florets replace the pasta in this creamy dish. The blend of salty, smoky ham and gooey cheese sauce almost makes you forget there’s no mac in your mac & cheese!

1 large head cauliflower, broken into small florets

1 c. cubed, cooked Hempler’s ham

1 cup half-and-half

½ c. sour cream

1 t. Dijon mustard

dash of white pepper

1 clove garlic, finely minced

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1 c. cubed cheese (any variety you like)

Preheat oven to 375. Steam or boil cauliflower for 8-10 minutes, until soft. Drain in a colander, using a towel or paper towels to press any extra water out of the cauliflower. Place the cauliflower in a greased 7×11 baking dish and top with cubed ham and cubed cheese. Heat the cream over medium heat until it almost boils. Remove from heat and whisk in sour cream, Dijon, white pepper, garlic and shredded cheddar. Pour over the cauliflower, ham and cubed cheese and bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, until bubbly and starting to brown on top.

My hands down, all time favorite ham recipe is this unbelievably amazing Black Forest Ham and Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Earthy, creamy Cambozola cheese, sweet caramelized onions and salty, smoky Hempler’s ham will rock your taste buds.

Stop by the meat department or deli at Ralph’s Thriftway or Bayview Thriftway today and check out the selection of Hempler’s ham, bacon, pepperoni, franks and roast chicken.

 

olympia grocery store
Resi,in the Bayview Deli,will slice your Hempler’s Ham or Roast Chicken to order.

Bayview Thriftway

516 W. 4th Ave., Olympia

360-352-4897

 

Ralph’s Thriftway

1908 E. 4th Ave., Olympia

360-357-8011

Between October 17 through November 21, earn 1 point for every $1 spent at Bayview or Ralph’s Thriftway.  Earn 500 points and get a free Hempler’s four pound boneless black forest hame.

www.olythriftway.com

 

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