Okay…we’re sick. to fucking. death of turkey, so we’re going to do a spiral ham for Christmas. Only problem is, I’ve never made one and neither has my sister. I’m relatively certain those spirals only need to be warmed through, but I’m at a loss as to what we’ll have for sides. Scalloped potatos are out (everyone hates 'em) but I’ll be doing au gratins instead. But what else should I make? Spinach and beets aren’t gonna happen with this crowd. What do all you fabulous cooks make with a ham?
Don’t forget to glaze your ham when you bake it! I recommend either Coke or Dr. Pepper.
As for side dishes: green beans are always good (if cooked properly, i.e. not crunchy) as are mashed potatoes.
Scalloped potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to ham.
I second green beans, but make them with bacon. It complements the taste of the ham. And it’s bacon.
Candied yams are just as valid with ham as with turkey.
Seconded on the mashed potatoes, of course, although if you’re having au gratin, you might as well not. Anyway, isn’t au gratin potatoes just scalloped potatoes with cheese?
Have some dinner rolls handy.
Ambrosia salad. Waldorf salad.
Finaly, AIUI, the real question with a ham or turkey isn’t so much what you serve with it at the main feast, but, what marvelous things do you do with the leftovers for the next week?
The spiral ham will probably come with directions on how to heat it up and an optional glaze packet, if you are so inclined.
I almost always make cheese biscuits to go with ham. Take your standard biscuit recipe (heck, I use a mix) and add grated sharp cheddar cheese and celery seed. (Celery seed is NOT optional!)
Somewhere, I’ve got a kick-ass recipe for a salad with marinated brussel sprouts, pomegranate seeds, and walnuts. (Writing that just made me think of Waldorf salad, which would be good with ham.) If brussell sprouts are anathema (although they are really good fixed this way because you don’t have to cook them to death – use fresh, not frozen), you could do the same thing with broccolli, which is a little less assertive.
In fact, a tossed salad with some sort of fruit (sliced pears, craisins, dried cherries, etc.) and nut (toasted pecans, walnuts, almonds) ingredients could be really good. I like sliced fresh pears, toasted walnuts and bleu cheese on some sort of greens (spinach!) with a vinaigrette.
Spoonbread is yummy with ham (but unless you want the all-starch side dish selection, I’d have that instead of potatoes/biscuits).
What vegetables will go over with your crowd?
And why did I say seconded on mashed potatoes? I better slow down and read for comprehension, rather than speed…
Green eggs are out? Go with the beans then.
My mother generally does a cold ham for Christmas Day - our celebration meal is Christmas Eve. She glazes it with honey and orange. We have it with potatoes, coleslaw, cucumber, and tomatoes. And a good white wine.
Homemade mac and cheese! It can be made ahead of time in the morning and kept warm in a crock pot 'til dinner.
Petit (or “young”, not “garden”) peas are my favorite veggie with ham. I just microwave frozen peas with a sprinkling of tarragon on top. When they’re hot, add a good sized pat of butter, salt and fresh pepper.
I’m not crazy about ham but everyone else is so that’s what we have for Christmas. Everyone brings a side dish so we have lots of odd things.
Salads, au gratin, scalloped potatoes or mashed. My BIL loves potato salad so my sister brings that. The usually blah blah veggies, apple sauce. Good rolls in case people want a sandwich. One of my sisters brings meatless lasagna for the vegetarians.
Here’s a ham recipe that’s similar to the one I use except for the apples. Someone mentioned Coke, I use gingerale. I guess the same thing.
Baked Ham recipe
1 cooked ham, half or whole
Ground cloves, to taste
1/2 cup brown sugar
Maraschino cherries
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 apple
Pineapple rings
Place cooked ham in pan. Rub in 1 tablespoon brown sugar and sprinkle with cloves. Pare and cut apple in eighths, place around and over ham. Sprinkle brown sugar over apples. Decorate with pineapple rings and maraschino cherries. Cover and bake for about 1 hour at 350 degrees F; baste frequently.
Yeah, but we still all hate 'em.
Do you have a good recipe for mac & cheese? I might try that for something different and all the kids will love it.
I second homemade mac and cheese, but how would you get it from the casserole dish to the crock pot and not mess up it’s fabulous baked mac and cheese goodness? 
Also, deviled eggs might be yummy with it.
These ideas all look great! Keep 'em coming!
For my family’s taste and sensibilities you can’t have Ham without Potato Salad (made with Miracle Whip) and Baked Beans with Bacon.
Hot Pea Salad
1 package frozen peas
1/2 package bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Cook the peas until just done. Drain and add the rest of the ingredients. Serve warm.
I think au gratin potatoes are the best side for ham. For Easter, I always make the recipe from Joy of Cooking, and even I can’t mess it up. I also make some kind of green beans, usually the standard green bean casserole, because everybody likes it and it’s easy.
Some folks like sweet potatoes with ham…not my favorite, but it seems popular.
Here is a great macaroni and cheese recipe.
Ham, roast chicken, cabbage, and potatoes is pretty much my ideal comfort food meal. Colmans mustard on the side and maybe some glazed carrots, mmmmmm.