Recipe(tried): Ham and Noodles en Kyathion

Hi Everyone!

I first tasted this delicious dish at the Leaf n' Ladle in Valparaiso, Florida, a hop and a skip away from Niceville up in the Florida Panhandle. I think I have told you of this very quaint cafe that is now sadly closed.

It was the kind of little cafe that you wanted to own; the specials, just 2 or three were chalk written on little slate boards given out to the patrons as they sat down to order. The tablecloths, depending on the day of the week, were either gingham red, brown, blue or yellow with matching napkins! The specials changed every day and they were wonderful...Lasagna, Fried Chicken Salad, Ham and Noodles en Kyathion, Swiss Chicken Enchiladas and other goodies. They had the BEST Salad Bar with the most decadent Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad and Crab Salad. Fresh bread was served in wicker baskets with muffins tucked in too!! Oh and the desserts! Creamy Eclair Cake, Fudgy Chocolate Mousse, Cheesecake topped with Strawberry Sauce, Bread Pudding with decadent Whiskey Sauce and so many others....pure bliss!!

I will never forget the day I tasted this special...I just had to have the recipe! Soon after I started to work there I got the recipe from one of the owners who so graciously shared it with me. That one and many others!!

I have enjoyed serving this dish to family and friends with the same result, sheer joy at the flavors!! It's a great dish to serve when you have leftover ham from the holidays.

Here is the recipe for you to try out on your family and friends too! For dessert, I am serving Carolina Spiced Apple Cake...I have tried to re-create a delicious cake that we always buy when we pass through Balsam, NC. They have a wonderful old apple orchard there with a bakery on the premises that sells apple bread, apple turn-overs and apple cake to die for!! This cake is awesome served with a cold glass of milk!!

Happy Cooking!! Gina

Ham and Noodles en Kyathion

6 servings

4 oz. green noodles
1/3 c. chopped onion
1/3 c. bell pepper, chopped
1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced
3/4 c. butter
3/4 c. sifted flour
1 t. salt
1/4 t. black pepper
1 quart milk
1 c. sharp Cheddar cheese
3 c. cooked ham, cubed into 1/2 inch cubes

Preheat oven to 375. Grease a 1 1/2 quart casserole. Cook noodles. Saute onion, peppers and mushrooms for 5 minutes. Add flour and seasonings and stir til well blended.

Add milk and cheese, simmer til it thickens. Remove from heat and blend well. Add noodles and ham and mix well. Pour into the casserole dish and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Carolina Spiced Apple Cake
This is a very thick and moist cake. Keep refrigerated after cooled.

2 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup orange juice
2 cups sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
4 teaspoons cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. allspice
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 cups Granny Smith apples,peeled, cored and finely chopped (about 4-6 apples)
1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 325. Butter and flour a 10-inch cake pan. Combine dry ingredients and set aside. Whip eggs until frothy, about 3-4 minutes then add oil and orange juice and mix thoroughly. Add dry ingredients and beat with whip at low speed until thoroughly combined. Fold in apples and walnuts and pour into prepared cake pan. Bake at 325 for 1 hour or until firm on top. Cover with aluminum foil if top gets too brown. Cool on rack 5 minutes, then invert onto rack and cool completely.