This vintage classic brings a delightful tropical touch to your table with a sweet and savory mix of tender ham, juicy pineapple chunks, and colorful peppers glazed in a tangy-sweet sauce. Originally featured in The Man in the Kitchen Recipes - ostensibly authored by Hollywood star Van Johnson alongside co-author Julie Benell - the recipe comes from a promotional cookbook released by K-mart to highlight their K-mart K-lectables kitchenware line. Crowned with a layer of fluffy, spiced mashed sweet potatoes and baked until bubbling, it remains an effortless mid-century island comfort dish.
Island-Style Ham and Sweet Potatoes Radio Promo
Prep : 15 minutes
Cook: 20 - 25 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- medium sweet potatoes
- 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Milk
- 2 cups coarsely cut up, cooked ham
- ½ cup green pepper or pimiento strips
- 1½ cups pineapple chunks, drained
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¾ cup drained juice from pineapple
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
Instructions:
- Cook and then mash the sweet potatoes.
- Add 1 tablespoon of butter or margarine, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and enough milk to whip the potatoes.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- In a skillet, sauté the ham in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter or margarine, stirring until golden.
- Add the green pepper or pimiento strips and pineapple chunks; cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir in the combined brown sugar and cornstarch, then add the pineapple juice and vinegar.
- Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thickened and clear.
- Pour the ham and sauce mixture into a 9-inch pie plate.
- Drop spoonfuls of the mashed sweet potatoes on top of the mixture.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbling hot (serves 4).
