Leftover Ham & Potato Croquettes Microwave Miracle

Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe #1

Thanksgiving leftovers? Yeah, me too. But honestly not as much as I had hoped, but I guess that's what happen as the kiddos get bigger.

We get a Honey Baked Ham for Thanksgiving from my dad every year, (Thanks Dad!) so my leftovers recipes will be including a lot of ham. First up are your leftover ham and mashed potatoes.

Get out your blender! We're blending ham.

Okay...come back. I tried finely chopping, but it was taking toooo long and since this is Fast Family Feasts, I wanted to speed it up. So go get your blender or food processor. 

This came out good with some trial and error. The first batch I didn't cover, and they came out too dry. So I would suggest covering for the first part of the cooking process.

Leftover Ham & Potato Croquettes Microwave Miracle

On Allrecipes.com

Ready in: 26 min; 16 min Active

Ingredients

1 cup Cooked Ham 1/2 Yellow Onion 2 Eggs 1 tbl Dijon Mustard 1/2 tsp Dill 1/2 tsp Salt 1/2 tsp Pepper 1 1/2 cups Mashed Potatoes - cold 1/4 cup Corn Flakes - crushed        Substitute: Panko Bread Crumbs
Side: Leftover Green Beans Any other Thanksgiving Leftovers
Supplies: 3 qt Dish & Lid Blender Cutting Board Silicone Spatula (to scrape blender) Mixing Spoon Plastic Wrap or Plate

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Instructions

Prep - 15 Min

Step 1

Coarsely chunk up Onion. Place in blender.

Step 2
Coarsely chop Ham. Add to blender.

Step 3
Add Eggs, Dijon Mustard, Dill, Salt and Pepper to blender.

Step 4
Blend on Low until mixed.

You may need to stop the blender and scrape down the sides to help it out. 

Some chucks are okay. :)

Step 5
Place Mashed Potatoes, Corn Flakes, and Ham in Dish. Combine thoroughly.

Step 6
Spray Lid with Olive Oil

Make 5 croquettes using a 1/4 c measuring cup. Place in Lid and flatten slightly to make patties.

Cook - 10 Min

Note: Recipe tested in a 900 Watt Microwave.

Step 7
Cover dish with Plastic Wrap and Microwave on High for 7 Minutes.

Step 8
Warning: HOT steam 
Carefully remove plastic wrap.

Flip.

Step 9
Microwave on High for 2 Minutes. Add additional minute if still sticky.

Serve in Lid. Garnish with more Dijon Mustard
- or-
Remove croquettes and repeat with second batch.

Enjoy!

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Fast Family Feast Test:  Passed! 

Ready in: 26 minutes!

My Score: 8

Husband Score: 9

Kids' Score: 7

Mashed Potato Microwave Miracle

Thanksgiving Side #2

Okay this is now my preferred way to make Mashed Potatoes! Super SUPER easy, 1 dish to clean, extra yummy, and best of all save much needed stove space during Thanksgiving Dinner prep!

Hope your family enjoys this as much as ours did! No one will ever know that this was made in the microwave.

Mashed Potato Microwave Miracle

Ready in: 22 min; 10 min Active

Ingredients

5 Potatoes - peeled & cubed 1/2 cup Water 1/2 cup Half & Half 4 Tbl Butter 1 tsp Salt 1/4 tsp Pepper - use white if you have it 2 Tbl Mayonaise
Supplies: 3qt Dish & Lid Potato Peeler Cutting Board Chopping Knife Measuring cup (optional) Measuring Spoons (optional) Potato Masher

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Instructions

Prep: 10 Min

Peel, wash & cube Potatoes (about 1" cubes).

It may take you less time to prep, but I'm a slow potato peeler.

Add 1/2 cup Water.

Cook - 12 Min

Note: Recipe tested in a 900 Watt Microwave.

Place in Dish and put Lid on. Cook in Microwave on High for 12 min. 

With Lid still on, drain the potatoes.


Carefully remove Lid away from your face as steam will escape.

Add remaining ingredients and mash it up.

Serve in Dish.

Enjoy!

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Fast Family Feast Test:  Passed! 

Ready in: 22 minutes!

My Score: 10

Husband Score: 10

Kids' Score: 10

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Microwave Miracle Meme's Meatball Stew

A family tradition!

This is a recipe that my husband's Meme (grandma) used to make and is a favorite in the family. My husband's cousin, Hope, over at A Busy Mom's Slow Cooker Adventures made this recipe in her slow cooker. Thank you Hope for actually having the measurements! I've modified it to use Frozen Meatballs and Frozen Greenbeans.

This came out fantastic, filling, soul filling! The kids loved it, I loved it, my husband liked it, but said he remembers more green beans in it...noted. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best!

Microwave Miracle Meme's Meatball Stew
(Recipe adapted from Slow Cooker Adventures)

Ready in: 40 min; 
10 Working/30 Min Relaxing

Ingredients

1 lb Frozen Meatballs
1 (15oz) can Tomato Soup
15 baby Carrots - chopped
3 potatoes - chopped
1 bag Frozen Green Beans
1 large Onion - chopped
1/2 tsp Pepper
2 tsp Salt 2 tsp Onion Powder 2 tsp Garlic Powder Water

Instructions

Prep - 10 Min

Place Frozen Meatballs, Green Beans, Tomato Soup, and Spices in Dish. Chop Potatoes, Carrots & Onion and place in Dish and add Water to cover.


Mix.

Cook - 30 Min

Note: Recipe tested in a 900 Watt Microwave.

Put Lid on and Microwave on High for 30 Minutes.

Serve with Salad.

Enjoy!

Fast Family Feast Test:  Passed! 

Ready in 40 minutes!

My Score: 9

Husband Score: 7 (higher if I had added more green beans)

Kids' Score: 8

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Microwave Miracle Dish Italian Sausage & Potatoes

This dish was awesome. I cooked it a little long (36 Min), so they weren't "plump" per say, but I'm always a bit scared of cooking pork; period. When I do them on the grill, they usually end up as jerky. I never can seem to tell if it is still pink, if the juices are clear, etc... So after this dish  I made sure to get my cooking thermometer to check so I don't over cook things, and so I can give you the best time estimates I can!

Let me know how 32 Minutes works for you!

Microwave Miracle Dish Italian Sausage, Potatoes, and Green Beans

Ready in: 42 min     Est. Cost:  $13.10 

Ingredients

Ingredient	Price
2 lbs Frozen Mild Italian Sausage Links	$8.00
1 onion	0.45
7 Med Potatoes	2.00
Salt & Pepper	~0.05
1 tsp Olive Oil	~0.10
Side: Steam-able Bag Frozen Green Beans	$2.50
Total Estimated Cost	$13.10

Instructions

The Prep - 3 Min

Coarsely chop Potatoes and Onion, place in Dish. Use lid to chop on. (No washing a cutting board + 1)

Sprinkle potatoes with Salt and Pepper to taste, drizzle Olive Oil, and mix.

Place Frozen Sausage on top, and put the Lid on.
I will also be trying this raw and post the timing.

Cooking - 39 Min

Microwave on High for 15 minutes. Remove Miracle Dish, use potholders. 

Rearrange the sausage for even browning. Finish Microwaving on High for 17 minutes.

Carefully check internal temperature of at least 165 F.  If not up to temp yet, replace lid and microwave in 2 minute increments until done.

Cook Steam-able Frozen Bag of Green Beans in the microwave for recommended time. 5-8 minutes.


Serve Green Beans in Lid. 

(No washing serving dish  +1)

Enjoy!

General Cooking Guidelines

1 lb Frozen Pork Sausage = 15 to 17 minutes

Fast Family Feast Test:  Passed! Ready in 42 minutes.


Note: Recipe tested in a 900 watt microwave