Recipe: Cider-Braised Ham Steak with Sweet Potato and Apple

CIDER-BRAISED HAM STEAK
WITH SWEET POTATO AND APPLE

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon apple cider, divided
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon finely chopped, peeled fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
1 pound lean ham steak
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and cut into 12 wedges
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup diagonally sliced green part of green onions

In a large skillet, stir together 1 cup cider, mustard, ginger and cloves. Bring to a simmer. Add sweet potato. Cover tightly and simmer until partially tender, 15 minutes.

Add the ham steak to the skillet. Arrange the sweet potatoes so they cover the ham. Arrange apple wedges over the top. Cover; simmer until apples and sweet potatoes are tender and the ham is heated through, 10 to 15 minutes.

In a small bowl, stir together cornstarch and the remaining 1 tablespoon cider until well blended.

With a slotted spoon, transfer ham, sweet potatoes and apple to a platter; cover with foil to keep warm.

Stir a little of the hot pan liquid into the cornstarch mixture until smooth. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 1 minute.

TO SERVE:
Divide ham, sweet potatoes and apples among 4 plates. Spoon on the sauce. Garnish with green onions.

Yield: 4 servings
Source: Reader's Digest Vegetables for Vitality