Southern Roots?

There are times I’m sure that somewhere in my heritage there are Southern Roots. Not sure how that’s possible, logistically speaking, since my father’s side of the family is Italian and lives in New Jersey and my mom’s side is German/Irish/English and hails from Ohio. There has to be a little bit o’ southern in there, I’m sure of it. That would explain my love of all things cornbread.

Yes, I’m on that subject again.

I do love it so. Because of my love affair with cornbread, I look for any opportunity to incorporate it into my meals. Can you imagine my joy when I came across something called Creamed Ham on Cornbread? Oh joyous day! This is one of those “all-in-one” dishes… unless, of course, you feel overly ambitious and throw some side dishes out there, too! But in this house, to add side dishes would be downright wrong. The possibility of marring the loveliness on the tongue with other flavors would do this dish a disservice.

It wants to shine alone. And I, for one, am not going to allow anything to steal its spotlight. We have an agreement, Creamed Ham on Cornbread and I, to let it be the star of the evening when it is on the menu.

For the record, the food I cook does not literally talk to me… I just have a sixth sense about these things.

Call me the Dish Whisperer.

Gluten Free Creamed Ham on Cornbread

1 recipe for gluten free cornbread (cut the sugar to 1/3 cup)

2 Tbsp butter

1 tsp minced dried onion

½ tsp dry mustard

1 Tbsp cornstarch

1 ¼ cups of milk, divided

½ cup Colby Jack or Cheddar cheese

1 ½ cups diced ham

1 cup canned green beans

Make cornbread as directed (see link above).

In a large skillet, melt butter. Add dried onion and stir for 1 minute. Add 1 cup of milk and heat to a pre-boil. Add dry mustard and stir or whisk to incorporate.

In a small bowl, mix together remaining ¼ cup of milk and cornstarch. Add to heated milk and stir until thickened. Reduce heat to low.

Cut cheese into small cubes and add to skillet, stirring constantly until the cheese is melted. Fold in the diced ham and green beans and stir gently until ham and beans are heated through.

Serve creamed ham over a square of cornbread. Serves 4.