Ham Country Pate And Cheese Platter Recipes

HOLIDAY HAM PATE

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse and process until quite smooth and homogeneous.
• Transfer to a well buttered 4 x 8 x 2.5 inch loaf pan. Cover tightly with heavy duty foil. Make sure it is tightly wrapped.
• In larger baking dish, line the bottom with a white or natural colored tea towel. Place the wrapped Pate on top of the towel. Pour boiling water in the larger pan to come half way up the sides of the wrapped pate.
• Bake in a 275 degree oven for 2 hours.
• Remove from oven and cool on rack for about 30 minutes. See note below*.
• Unmold the Pate by flipping it out of loaf pan on to a flat tray or plate that is lined with wax paper or plastic wrap. Some of the fat will puddle a bit, but don't discard.
• When cooled, pull the paper or plastic that the Pate is resting on up the sides and over the top to wrap tightly. Place the Pate in a loaf pan that is larger than the Pate. Cover with foil and store in fridge for several days before serving.
• *Frost the Pate with sour cream and sprinkle with freshly chopped Italian parsley and add some cranks of freshly ground black pepper. Serve with a sturdy cracker or little toasts.
• Note: if you wish, you can weigh down the Pate to compress a bit by placing an equal size loaf pan that is filled with dry beans atop the baked Pate (you need to remove the foil to do this). Weigh down for 30 minutes.

COUNTRY HAM CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients, except almonds, in a large bowl.
• Form into a large ball, or two smaller balls, if you prefer.
• Pour the almonds into a pie plate, or onto a dinner plate.
• Roll the ball(s) in the almonds to coat.
• Place into a bowl or on a plate and refrigerate until firm.