Ham and Swiss Rice Casserole with Broccoli

Our family really liked this casserole or as we call it in these parts, hot dish!  A great way to use up leftover ham.  The star ingredients, veggies, protein, cheese, rice etc, can easily be substituted for what you have on hand/prefer.  The recipe can also easily be made ahead in the morning to throw in the oven for supper or frozen for another day!

Enjoy!

Ham and Swiss Rice Casserole

2 Tbsp Butter
1/2 Cup Onion, chopped
2 1/4 Cups Chicken Broth
1 1/4 Cup Long Grain White Rice
2 Heads Broccoli, cut into chunks
2 Cups Cooked Ham, diced
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
3/4 Cup Milk
1 - 8oz Pkg Swiss and Gruyére Shredded Cheese (Found at Aldi)
Pepper

Topping:
1 Cup Ritz Crackers, crushed
2 Tbsp Butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  Add diced onions and cook for approximately 5 minutes, until softened.  Add broth and rice to pan; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to a simmer, cover pan, and cook for 8 minutes.  Remove lid, stir rice up from the bottom with a spatula, add broccoli, replace lid, and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes.  Turn off heat on pan.  Stir in ham, soup, sour cream, milk, half (1 cup) of the cheese, and season to taste.  Spread into lightly greased 9x13 pan and top with remaining cheese.  Cover and bake for 20 minutes.  Combine cracker crumbs with melted butter; spread over the top of casserole and bake an additional 10 minutes uncovered.  Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes: If using frozen broccoli, allow it to thaw and drain ahead of time (or pat dry).  Some prepackaged ham comes in water, you will want to let it dry a little on a paper towel or pan fry quick before adding to recipe (this step is not necessary if using leftover baked ham).

Eggs Benedict Breakfast Bake

I love eggs benedict, but I love how easy this casserole is to make more!  I made this recently for a weekend retreat and the pan was almost licked clean, they all loved it so much!  This is a make-ahead, overnight casserole - so nice to just pop it in the oven the morning of!  I mixed up my hollandaise sauce during the last 10 minutes of baking.

Enjoy!

Eggs Benedict Breakfast Bake

6 English Muffins, chopped in 1" pieces
12 oz Canadian Bacon, chopped
8 Eggs
2 Cups Milk (I used 2%)
1 Tsp Onion Powder
Salt & Pepper
1/4 Tsp Paprika

Sauce:
4 Egg Yolks
1/2 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 Tsp Dijon Mustard
1/2 Cup Butter, melted

Split English muffins and chop into one inch pieces (I chopped mine into 9 pieces).  Spread pieces onto an ungreased baking pan and broil for 2 minutes (until bread is toasted) and then flip over and broil for another minute or two.

In large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, onion powder, salt, and pepper (to taste).

Grease 9x13 baking dish.  Sprinkle half of the Canadian bacon on bottom of dish, top with broiled English muffins, then remaining Canadian bacon.  Then, pour egg mixture evenly over top.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove dish from refrigerator 30 minutes prior to baking.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Sprinkle with paprika.  Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until center is set.

Sauce:
In a double broiler or metal bowl over simmering water; constantly whisk eggs yokes, cream, lemon juice, and mustard until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.  Reduce heat to low.  Slowly whisk in warm melted butter, making sure not to stop whisking until it is all incorporated.  Drizzle over casserole or portion sauce on each plate.

Ham & Swiss Sliders

These are SO much better than just your everyday ham and cheese sandwich!  They are great party food - whether it's a football game with friends or a baby shower!  The sandwiches can be made a day ahead and stored in your refrigerator until you're ready to bake.  As for the mustard sauce, even the pickiest child in my house will eat these! :)

Enjoy!

Ham & Swiss Sliders
recipe adapted from here


24 Dinner Rolls (you'll want the good ones from the bakery)
24 Pieces Honey Ham (double this is you're using small pieces of ham)
24 Slices Baby Swiss (I cut the deli slices in half)
1/4 Cup Mayonaisse
1/4 Cup Miracle Whip

Mustard Sauce
1/2 Cup Butter, melted
1 Tbsp Poppy Seeds
1 Tbsp Minced Onion
1 1/2 Tbsp Yellow Mustard
1/2 Tsp Worcestershire Sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In small bowl, mix together mayo and Miracle Whip.  Spread mixture inside each side of the cut bun.  Place a slice of ham (or two) and a slice of cheese on the bun and close.  Put on baking sheet or heavy pan; laying close together.

In a medium bowl, mix together all ingredients for mustard sauce with whisk.  Use a basting brush to coat the top of the buns until all the topping is used.  Let mixture soak and set into buns for 10 minutes.  Cover with foil and bake 12-15 minutes until cheese melts.  Remove foil and bake another 2-3 minutes to crisp up the buns.  Serve warm.