The recipes rolled in for our PORKtober Real Pork recipe contest, proving there are so many delicious ways to serve pork as part of a balanced and nutritious diet. We’re sending PORK Month out the door with a bang this week and will be highlighting some of our favorites that were sent in by Farm Journal’s PORK readers around the country.
Ham Balls
Submitted by Char Brenneman, Iowa
Ingredients:
• 1 lb. ham loaf
• 1 lb. ground pork
• 1 egg
• 1 c graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 c. milk
• 1/2 c. ketchup
• 1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
• 1/4 c. vinegar
• 2/3 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. yellow mustard
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ham loaf, ground pork, egg, graham cracker crumbs and milk.
3. Use a 1/3 cup measuring cup (or a large cookie scoop) to make balls out of the meat mixture and place into prepared pan; set aside.
4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the ketchup, tomato sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and yellow mustard.
5. Pour the sauce over the ham balls and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the ham balls reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Submitted by Shan Lybarger, Illinois
Ingredients:
6 bell peppers
3 tbsp. olive oil
8 oz. ground pork
Salt/pepper
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 c. fresh mushrooms, chopped
1 can fire roasted tomatoes
Red pepper flakes, to taste
1 c. cooked rice
1-1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cut off tops of peppers, remove stems, and scoop out seeds/membrane. Place peppers in a baking dish so that they stay upright.
3. Heat 1 tbsp. of olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add ground pork and season with salt/pepper. Brown until meat is cooked through. Remove from pan and place to side.
4. Using same skillet, wipe clean, and add 2 tbsp. olive oil. Add onions, garlic, and mushrooms and cook until softened. Add canned tomatoes (drained). Season vegetables with salt/pepper/pepper flakes to taste. Add pork and cooked rice. Add 1 cup of shredded cheese.
5. Fill peppers with mixture to the top. Sprinkle remaining cheese on filled peppers. Add small amount of water to bottom of pan. Cover pan with foil bake for 30 minutes. Uncover pan and bake additional 15 minutes or until cheese has melted on top.
Stay tuned for more great recipes using Real Pork this week. Both Brenneman and Lybarger will receive #CelebrateRealPork gift packages from the National Pork Board.
More from Farm Journal’s PORK:
Ready to Please Your Crew? Try These 5 Pulled Pork Favorites
