This Little Piggy Went to the Slow Cooker

Maple Ham:

7-8 pound bone-in spiral-cut ham
1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup all-natural maple syrup
1 cup pineapple juice


Unwrap the ham and discard flavor packet. Place the ham into a 6-quart slow cooker, flat side down. Rub brown sugar on all sides. Pour on maple syrup and pineapple juice. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

This comes from The Crockpot Lady's cookbook, "Make It Fast, Cook It Slow". It was so easy and so good.

Day After Dinner

It's an annual tradition that we make this meal the day after Thanksgiving. I can't remember a year where I didn't have this.

Ham Au Gratin:

4 T margarine or butter
5 T all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 cups chopped ham
2 T chopped onion
4 medium potatoes, cooked, peeled and sliced

Melt butter over heat. Add flour, salt, pepper and stir. Remove from heat. Whisk in milk until mixture is smooth. Return to heat and cook until mixture thickens. Add 1 1/2 cups cheese. Stir until smooth and melted. Grease a 13x9 casserole dish. Alternate layers of potatoes, onions and ham. Pour cheese sauce over the top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove and sprinkle top with remaining cheese. Return to oven until new cheese is melted.