Orange Glazed Ham Steaks with Brown Rice Pilaf

Let me just start out by saying "Merry Christmas, Maria" I am finally posting to the blog! Moving on....I have a subscription to Taste Of Home magazine compliments of my parent's 83yr old next door neighbor. A couple of years ago, while I was still working at my dad's home office, I took my son over to see the neighbor as she doesn't have any grandkids of her own and she loves getting to play with my son. While they were digging in her garden out back, I took a moment to sit on her back deck in the sunshine and read some of her Taste Of Home mags. Anyways, long story short, she saw me reading, got my address from my dad and ordered me a 3 year subscription. Tonight I decided to make a recipe out of the December/January 2011 mag. The recipe is really simple, quick AND it is delicious! How great is that? I think next time I make a whole spiral ham I am going to use this glaze recipe.

ORANGE GLAZED HAM STEAKS
Prep/Total Time: 20 min
Yield: 7 Servings

1/2 cup Orange Marmalade (Normally I am not a fan....but great in this.)
2 Tbsp. REAL Maple syrup
4-1/2 tsp Orange Juice
1-1/2 tsp. Chili Powder
7 boneless fully cooked Ham steaks

In a small bowl, combine the marmalade, syrup, orange juice and chili powder.

Grill ham steaks, covered , over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 3-4 minutes on each side or until heated through. (Since it is December, I broiled mine instead of heading out back to the grill. Also, I put a spoonful of the marmalade on each ham steak prior to putting them under the boiler and spread the glaze around with the back of the spoon.) After flipping the steaks over, brush again with glaze.

BROWN RICE PILAF
Prep/Total Time: 20 min.
Yield: 4 servings (I would venture more like 6....maybe my servings were small.)

1/4 cup chopped green onions
2 tsp. Butter
1-1/3 cups instant brown rice (Yes, not as healthy as conventional brown rice....)
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1-1/3 cups water
1/3 cup dried apricots, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

In a small saucepan, saute green onions in butter until tender.  Add rice and walnuts; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until walnuts are toasted.  Add the water, apricots, salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.  Let stand for 5 minutes.  Fluff with a fork.


We also had a simple green salad with ranch dressing for some vegetable intake as well. Everyone, even the picky little girl in my family, ate this! Hooray!!!!

Husbands Comments: "The ham steaks remind me of breakfast...." & "The rice has a bit of a doughnut flavor..." (I have NO clue where he got that last flavor/opinion from.)

Unfortunately, I wasn't thinking like a TRUE BLOGGER when I prepared/plated/ate this meal, so this time I am bereft of pictorial documentation. Please forgive me.....baby steps to blogging, right?

Until next time....keep on heating up those kitchens!
-The P-town Cousin