Holiday Leftovers - Ham Salad

So don't cringe when I say Ham Salad...I know a lot of people have a negative connotation when they think of ham salad because their grandma made a soupy mess and slapped it on toast which got soggy instantly or the ham salad you buy at the deli already made is a funny Pepto Bismol color and believe me I don't eat neon colored foods!

But I love Ham Salad, my mom and grandmas made amazing ham salad, lets face it though my mom and grandmas are exceptional cooks, but I make it just a slight bit differently. However Ham Salad is a great option to use some of your left over ham from the holidays or just to give yourself a fast alternative to PB&J's which I purposely don't keep jelly in the house so I don't eat PB&J's ALL THE TIME.

Ham Salad is relatively easy and easily customizable to your tastes. In our home we aren't big sweet relish people so  I like to use dill pickles and keep it salty and tangy vs. sweet. I love my grinder attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer, so easy to screw on and disassemble to clean. I've also learned that my ham grinds a little cleaner when it has been in the freezer for about 30 minutes prior to grinding.

By having the ham slightly frozen it prevents it from getting juicy and you get these awesome pieces of ground ham! 

 

I split this giant bowl in half, half is going to Ham Salad and half is going to Ham Balls that I'll make tomorrow and freeze for an awesome freezer meal later this winter.

You can use store bought dill pickle relish, but I like to put little whole dill pickles through the grinder because it makes the pieces the same size as the ham, plus it helps clean the ham out of the grinder.

Doesn't everyone love a dill pickle grinder action shot? 

Now is the fun part...take mayo or Miracle Whip (whatever you desire), some mustard, garlic powder and sugar if you prefer it a little sweet. Combine these ingredients to your taste, if you like more mustard flavor add more mustard, etc. Mix it together well and gently mix with your ham and pickle mixture. Make sure you don't over mix because over mixing will make the meat tough. Cover and put in the fridge for the flavors to come together.

You will notice I have dill weed in my picture by not
listed above...well I like the dill in mine so I add
it to mine and leave it out of the hubs. 

Lightly mixed and ready to chill.

EGGGGGGGSSSSS, Wait I almost forgot the eggs, well not really they've been coming to a boil next to me. I use the 13 minute egg method. Place your eggs in a pan and cover them with water, uncovered bring to a boil. Once they are rapidly boiling, turn off the burner and place a lid on the pot. Let them sit for 13 minutes, drain the water, fill the pot with ice and cold water and let the eggs cool down for at least 10 minutes. Peel the eggs and slice them and add them to the Ham Salad.

I like to eat my ham salad on saltine crackers and my hubs likes his on toast. Hope you enjoy!

Ham Salad Recipe (if I must put numbers to it)

2 cups of fresh ground ham
6 baby whole dill pickles ground or 2 TBS dill pickle relish
4 eggs, boiled, peeled, cooled and chopped
1/2 cup mayo or Miracle Whip
1 TBS yellow mustard
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp of dill (optional)
Bread, toast, crackers, etc.

If your ham and pickles aren't already ground then grind them and add to a bowl. In a separate bowl combine mayo, mustard, garlic powder and dill, add to the ham and pickle mixture and gently mix. Add chopped egg and cover, chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes prior to serving. Will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.