Ham Stuffed Manicotti with Cheese Sauce

Just to warn you I didn't take a picture.. I had family visiting and just forgot. Also the recipe calls for onion and green pepper but I didn't use them.

4 oz. Manicotti shells (8 shells per box) * I used 2 boxes and would have liked to have more.
1/4 c. chopped onion                               2 tbs. cooking oil
3 c. ground cooked ham (8 oz.)                 3 tbs. grated parmesan cheese
1 -6 oz. can chopped mushrooms ( I used fresh)
1/4 c. chopped green pepper                   3 tbs. butter
3 tbs. flour                                               2 c. milk
4 oz. shredded swiss cheese (1 c.) * I bought slices and cut them up

Cook manicotti noodles in water 15-20 min. until tender. Drain and rinse in cold water (do later so they don't get cold and stick together.) Saute onion in oil until tender. Add ham and mushrooms until cooked through then cool. Stir in parmesan, set aside. In saucepan cook green pepper in butter until tender; blend in flour, add milk all at once. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Stir in swiss cheese until melted. Mix 1/4 c. cheese sauce in ham and mushroom mixture. Fill each shell with about 1/3 c. ham filling. Arrange in greased baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over stuffed shells. Sprinkle with paprika. *Make a double sauce recipe if you like extra! Bake covered 350 degrees 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and warm throughout.

This was delicious I definitely recommend it, however, it was very time consuming!

Pasta with Ham-Mushroom Sauce

2 cups sliced fresh shiitake or button mushrooms
1 small red or green sweet pepper, cut into thin strips (I didn't use this)
1 medium onion, chopped (again I didn't use this)
1/2 teaspoon bottled minced garlic (1 clove)
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 12-ounce can evaporated milk (1 1/2 cups)
2 tablespoons snipped fresh basil or 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 ounces cooked ham, cut into thin bite-size strips
1 9 ounce package refrigerated fettuccine ( I just bought fetuccine noodles and made them regularly)
Finely shredded parmesan cheese (optional)

1. For sauce, in a large skillet cook mushrooms, sweet pepper, onion, and garlic in hot butter until tender. In a medium bowl combine evaporated milk, basil, cornstarch, and black pepper. Stir into vegetable mixture in skillet. Cook and stir over medium heat until bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Stir in ham. Remove from heat. (I made sure to heat enough for ham to be heated through)

2. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain. Serve sauce over pasta. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

* I take all the pictures so you know what the meal really looks like and sometimes I don't think they look that great... But trust me it's delicious! I wouldn't post the recipe if I didn't think so!!

Crock Pot Ham

This is delicious and the easiest thing in the world.

8 lb (or whatever size you can find) picnic ham (bone-in)
2 cups brown sugar

Place 1 1/2 cups brown sugar at the bottom of the crock pot, then place ham flat side down in crock pot covering with the other 1/2 cup brown sugar rubbing into meat. (No need to add water). Cover and cook for 6-8 hours depending on size. I served mine with a side salad. But would be great with any other dishes.

* If you have never tried ham with mustard try it. My husband loves dijion.