Sweet and Spicy Jalapeño Glazed Baked Ham

What’s so great about this Sweet and Spicy Jalapeño Glazed Baked Ham? My brother likes to make ham, and over the years, he’s introduced me to coca cola glazes, pineapple glazes, coffee glazes, and a few more I can’t recall at the moment. For some reason he was often in charge of Easter. One thing I’ve learned about ham over the years (mostly from my brother Ivan) is that no matter what you do to prep it, it pretty much just tastes like ham, which is a good thing, since ham is so delicious. That said, it’s fun to try new glazes and preps and this year, I recommend this Sweet and Spicy Jalapeño Glazed Baked Ham as the main dish for Easter Brunch. There’s a hint of spice and lots of sweet. But the very best reason to make this Sweet and Spicy Jalapeño Glazed Baked Ham is that it pairs really nicely with the poblano potato gratin. Trust me, you want to have an excuse to make the gratin. Because it’s amazing. Also, while I just told you that you can’t really mess up ham… full disclosure… that’s only true if you start off with a good ham. In … Continue reading

Ricotta and Acorn Squash Tarts

I made these Ricotta and Acorn Squash Tarts for the first time for Thanksgiving dinner years ago based on a recipe from food and wine. They made it back on the Thanksgiving 2010 menu as well. Ricotta and Acorn Squash Tarts have become one of my go-to knock their socks off hors d’oeuvres, especially for fall and winter entertaining. The Ricotta and Acorn Squash Tarts taste amazing both warm and at room temperature. They’re approachable, but elegant; don’t you love their refined but rustic look? They’re delicious and a bit unexpected; the flavors are perfectly traditional, and yet savory tarts are still a little unusual. They make ahead or freeze ahead perfectly, which is always something I look for in a good entertaining recipe. I will admit that there are a lot of steps to making them, but it’s easy to make several at a time, which makes them especially fun to pull out of the freezer a week or so later and have something special ready at a moment’s notice. And did I mention they’re delicious? These Ricotta and Acorn Squash Tarts are definitely a great dish to have in your arsenal for the night your really want to … Continue reading