Maple Glazed Ham Steak

What is a ham steak?
If you love baking a whole glazed ham and slicing it into pieces but don't have a crowd to feed, a ham steak is the answer. Ham steaks are essentially just thick slices of whole ham that are sold individually.

How do you cook a ham steak?
Ham steaks are usually sold raw. You can pan-fry ham steaks in a skillet with a little bit of oil, grill them, or bake them. 

What kind of glaze works?
A glaze is essential with a ham steak. However you normally like to flavor a whole baked ham will also work with a ham steak. The glaze we love is a mix of maple, Dijon, and apple cider vinegar. We always reach for maple syrup, which brings out the sweetness of ham. Apple cider vinegar brings a nice brightness and cuts the fattiness of the ham, while Dijon brings a sharp kick.

What goes well with ham steak?
We love ham steak with a bean, like black eyed peas, or cannellini and a leafy green quickly sautéed in olive oil.


INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 c. maple syrup 
  • 2 tbsp. brown sugar 
  • 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar 
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard 
  • 5 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided 
  • 6 oz. Tuscan kale, stems removed, leaves torn into 2-inch pieces 
  • 3/4 c. cooked black eyed peas
  • 1 cooked ham steak, about 1 lb. 

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a small bowl, whisk maple syrup, brown sugar, vinegar, and mustard. 
  2. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add kale and cook, tossing until wilted, about 4 minutes. Add black eyed peas and cook, tossing, until heated through, 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a plate and return skillet to medium-high.
  3. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Add ham steak and cook until golden, about 4 minutes per side. 
  4. Pour maple syrup mixture into pan and cook, turning ham a few times until fully coated in glaze. Return kale mixture to pan and toss to coat with any glaze remaining in skillet.