Celebrate this Spring with an Easy Ham Meal

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Preparing a delicious and memorable ham dinner for Easter and other spring celebrations couldn't be easier thanks to the ham hotline – even for someone who can't tell a spatula from a slotted spoon.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120306/MN63771)

Staffed by experts to assure every meal turns out perfect, the Kentucky Legend Ham Hotline at 1-866-343-5058 is open from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday-Friday, from March 15-April 30.

"We want ham to be the most stress-free dinner anyone can prepare," says Janet Sweeney, marketing director for Kentucky Legend Ham.  "From selecting the right size ham for your gathering to easy preparation tips and even recipes for the leftovers, the hotline can help every step of the way."

One reason even novice chefs can prepare a great ham dinner is because most hams are ready to eat and only require gentle heating in the oven.   A boneless ham requires less than 10 minutes of preparation and is exceptionally easy to slice and serve.   A ham dinner also has added benefits – tasty leftovers that can be enjoyed in everything from budget conscious casseroles to tacos, soups and sandwiches.  For recipes, visit www.specialtyfoodsgroup.com.  Here are some ham cooking tips and fun facts:

• Allow 1/4 to 1/3 pound of boneless ham per serving;  1/3 to 1/2 pound for bone-in hams.
• Most hams are pre-cooked (read the label) and require only gentle reheating at 325 degrees F to an internal temperature of 140 degrees F.
• Ham is America's favorite choice for sandwiches, followed by peanut butter and jelly.  Ham is America's favorite pork product.

Kentucky Legend Hams have been made for more than 100 years in Owensboro, Kentucky, where producing great hams is done the traditional way – by hand, from a recipe handed down through generations.   They are produced by Specialty Foods Group, Inc., a leading U.S. producer and marketer of a wide variety of premium branded and private-label processed meat products.

Turn those leftovers into a delicious second meal with a ham and bean pot pie:

Ham and Bean Pot Pie 
2 c. diced Kentucky Legend Ham
1 (16 oz.) pkg. frozen peas & carrots
1 can great northern beans, drained
2 (10 3/4 oz.) cans cream of potato soup
1/2 c. milk
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 refrigerated (9") piecrusts

Combine the first 8 ingredients. Spoon into the thawed piecrust that has been placed in a 9-inch pie pan. Cover with top crust. Slit top crust. Brush with egg. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour, or golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes.

SOURCE Specialty Foods Group