Stuffed Ham Slices

This photo is not of the Stuffed Ham Slices; that picture was too dark. But it is from the same cookbook: The Holiday Cookbook (pamphlet): 220 festive recipes for every holiday. It is from the Culinary Arts Institute, 1955.

I love the painted eggs. Nowhere are directions given on how to do that; apparently we are supposed to know.

I was intrigued by the recipe for Stuffed Ham Slices:

Set out a 13 1/2X8 3/4x1 3/4 baking dish. (???)

Set out 2 smoked ham slices, cut about 1/2 in. thick. (We all have these handy, right?)

Place one ham slice in the baking dish.

Mix together:

4 cups soft bread cubes

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

Lightly toss bread mixture with

1/3 cup margarine, melted

Lightly spoon stuffing evenly over ham slice in dish. Top stuffing with second ham slice.

Insert around edge of top slice of ham: whole cloves (oh boy)

Drain (reserving sirup) (really spelled that way, not sure why)

1 no. 2 can sliced pineapple (again with the no. 2, like some secret government food designation)

Place two slices of pineapple in each corner of baking dish. Cut the two remaining pineapple slices into wedges and arrange wedges to resemble flower petals on top of ham. (Really? How does that make this more appetizing?) Brush top ham slice with reserved pineapple sirup. (so not a typo - weird)

Roast stuffed ham slices uncovered at 300F for 1 1/2 hrs. (wow!) Brush top ham slice with reserved pineapple sirup several times during roasting.

Garnish ham slices with parsley and serve.

This is a heck of a lot of work. Why not just serve stuffing with the ham slices? Sounds tasty, but too elaborate for these ingredients.

My Grandma Alessio used to do a 5 course Easter even in her apartment later in life. I remember we'd all be groaning from the pasta and chicken and out would come the ham from the oven. How is it that so many Italians are wiry and thin? Perhaps because they never stop moving; at least many that I know. I don't have the wiry and thin gene, and look more like my Irish ancestors, but my sister has always been very thin.

We dyed eggs here already, using a Star Wars kit from Target. Yes, nothing says Easter like Star Wars stickers on your eggs.

Joy's Blog features yummy vintage recipes on Thursdays. While I did a humorous one for Easter this week, I will likely do delicious ones from family and favorites in upcoming weeks. Check it out!