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I hope you had a joyous Easter celebration with family or friends. Y’know, long after the guests have left, the leftovers will still be welcome, in our home anyway. And as anyone can tell you, leftover ham can be as good as the big meal itself. Neither Bud or I have ever had a problem with eating leftovers but I know of some who do. There are so many good dishes that can be made using leftover ham, or turkey for that matter. But what do you fix using bits and pieces or three or four slices of ham.

Here are a few ideas for you:

•Add some slivers of ham to veggies and make a stir fry with rice on the side.

•Fix your favorite pasta salad and add cubed ham for a nice main dish salad.

•Make a ham and cheese omelet, adding some diced onion and green pepper.

•Fix a baked potato and top it with chopped veggies, diced ham and shredded cheese.

•Instead of just a ham sandwich, add sliced tomato, avocado, maybe some alfalfa sprouts, provolone cheese, Dijon mustard and put it all between two slices of whole wheat bread. Almost sounds like a “Dagwood sandwich” to me.

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I always make split pea or bean soup using the ham bone but my next favorite soup uses cubed cooked ham.

CHUNKY HAM AND POTATO SOUP

3 medium red potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes

2 c. water

1/2 c. diced celery

1/4 c. diced onion

3 T. butter or margarine

3 T. flour

1/8 t. crushed red pepper flakes

1/8 t. white pepper

3 c. milk

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1 c. cubed cooked ham

Bring water to a boil in 2 qt. saucepan. Add potatoes and celery and cook until tender about 10 minutes.

While potatoes are cooking, melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook stirring until onion is tender but not brown. Add flour and seasonings; cook 3-4 minutes. Gradually add potatoes, cooking liquid, and milk to onion mixture in pan; stir well. Simmer over low heat 10 minutes. Stir in cheese and ham. Simmer over low heat 10 minutes, stirring often. Serves 8.

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We do a lot of soups or sandwiches for lunch and it’s nice to try something a bit different than grilled cheese, egg salad or peanut butter and banana for a change. We enjoy this hot sandwich.

HOT HAM AND CHEESE BUNS

1-1/2 T. prepared mustard

1 T. minced fresh onion

3 T. soft butter or margarine

3 hamburger buns (the bigger size)

3 slices Swiss cheese

3 slices cooked ham

Line a 9x13 baking pan with foil.

In a medium bowl, combine first three ingredients, mixing well. Split the buns; spread both halves with mustard mixture. Put a slice of cheese and ham between halves of each bun.

Put on foiled lined pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Be careful when taking a bite as they are hot. Makes three sandwiches.

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This casserole recipe has ham and veggies that hit the spot. Add a salad and some type of bread and you’ll have a filling meal.

HAM AND VEGGIE

CASSEROLE

1-14.5 oz. can french-style green beans, drained

1 T. butter

1 T. flour

3/4 c. milk

1-1/2 T. soy sauce

3/4 c. sour cream

2 c. diced cooked ham

1-5 oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained and coarsely chopped

1/2 c. buttered soft bread crumbs

paprika

Melt butter in saucepan; stir in flour. Gradually stir in milk and soy sauce; cook stirring constantly, until sauce is slightly thickened. Stir in sour cream, ham, beans and water chestnuts.

Pour into greased 1-1/2 qt. casserole; sprinkle with crumbs and paprika. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Serves 4.

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I think we should have something sweet to go with a cup of coffee, don’t you?

CHEWY OATMEAL BARS

1/2 c. butter

1 c. brown sugar

1 egg

1/2 t. vanilla

1 c. flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

1 c. quick-cooking oats

1/4 c. chopped walnuts

3/4 c. chocolate chips

Cream first four ingredients in mixing bowl until fluffy. Add oats; mix well.

Spread batter in a greased 9x9 baking pan. Sprinkle with walnuts and chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Don’t overbake. Makes 16 bars.

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Thought for the day: Since today is “Income Tax Day,” here’s a laugh for you . . .

Taxpayer: One who doesn’t have to pass a civil service exam to work for the government.

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