*Previously posted on May 20, 2009. I mentioned Mock Ham Loaf over on FB today and caused quite a stir. Who knew that Ham Loaf was a PA Dutch food? I had no idea. I’ve been eating it all these years and just took it for granted, I guess. Anyway, here you go:
My mom is from a large family (11 children). One of her sisters is an excellent cook. She just has a way of making everything taste extra good ( I think the secret ingredient is sugar!). Her Ham Loaf recipe is the best around. I shared it in a church cookbook and I've been asked to share the recipe with many people.
Judy's Ham Loaf
Loaf:
1 1/2 lbs. ground ham 1 c. milk
1 lb. ground pork 1 c. corn flakes
2 eggs
Sauce:
1/2 c. vinegar 1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. water 1/2 tsp. mustard
As delicious as Ham Loaf is, it's expensive to make. It's not always easy to find ground ham and ground pork; and, when you do, it's pricey. So, Ham Loaf, around here, is for special occasions.
I have another aunt who shared the following recipe in our family cookbook. I read it and thought "hot dogs?! you've got to be kidding me!" So, I never tried it. Then, at our family Christmas get-together, I tried some of this (not knowing exactly what it was). Yum! Ashley and I made it last night for supper and we all really enjoyed it. Seriously! Made with hot dogs and definitely good enough to serve to guests. So, I thought I'd share the recipe for this much cheaper version of the loaf ...
Sharon's Mock Ham Loaf
Loaf:
1 lb. ground beef 1 egg. beaten
1/2 lb. ground hot dogs 1 tsp. salt
1 c. ground cracker crumbs pepper, to taste
Glaze:
3/4 c. brown sugar 1/2 c. water
1/2 tsp. dry mustard 1 T. vinegar
Mix 1/2 glaze mixture with meat loaf. Baste with remaining glaze. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.
My notes: 1/2 lb. of hot dogs is approximately 5-6 dogs. We don't have a meat grinder, so we used (of all things) a pastry blender to mash up our dogs. A grinder would definitely be better, and it would make the chunks of hot dog less visible (but wouldn't do anything to make it taste better!)
