A ham loaf is similar to a meat loaf, but the recipe calls for ground ham rather than ground beef. The taste of the ham goes well with sweeter toppings and ingredients than you would use with meat loaf. Ham loaf also requires some type of grain to hold the ingredients together, but from there you can include whatever spices and seasonings you desire. Served with baked potatoes and fresh pineapple, a ham loaf can be a tropically inspired meal to include in your weekly menu.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine ground ham, bread crumbs, eggs, skim milk, diced onion, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix together until well incorporated.
Spray the loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Transfer the ground ham mixture to the greased pan and press it into a loaf shape using your fingers.
Mix together the brown sugar, ground mustard, ground cloves and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
Sprinkle the seasonings evenly over the top of the ham loaf.
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for one hour.
Remove the ham loaf from the oven and allow it to cool for five minutes.
Turn the ham loaf out onto a serving dish and slice it into half-inch thick slices. Serve immediately.
Tips
Replace two or three tablespoons of the skim milk with fresh pineapple juice to add sweetness and flavor to your ham loaf. Top the slices of ham loaf with chopped fresh pineapple for a fruity and nutritious addition to your meat. Serve the ham loaf slices on warm buns with sweet barbecue sauce and fresh pineapple rings. Replace any of the spices in the ham loaf topping with others you prefer. Cayenne pepper, black pepper, celery seed or ground allspice will add a bold taste to your dish.
Warning
When pressing your ground ham mixture into the loaf pan, make sure that the top of the loaf is even. This will ensure more even cooking.
