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Cozy Zero-Waste Easter Ham Bone 3-Dinner Feast

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A comforting and resourceful three-night dinner plan using a leftover Easter ham bone to create broth, soup, and casserole meals that are easy, flavorful, and zero-waste.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ham bone with some leftover meat
  • 12 cups cold water
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 2 carrots, roughly chopped
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • Fresh thyme sprigs
  • Parsley stems
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional)
  • 1 cup dried navy or cannellini beans, soaked overnight
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Pinch of smoked paprika
  • 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
  • 3 cups cooked white or brown rice (preferably jasmine)
  • 1.5 cups leftover ham meat, picked off the bone
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 cup cream or milk
  • Black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Make the Ham Bone Broth: Place the ham bone in a large stockpot or Dutch oven. Add 12 cups cold water, quartered onion, chopped carrots, celery stalks, smashed garlic cloves, bay leaves, black peppercorns, thyme, and parsley. Add apple cider vinegar if using. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer uncovered for 2 to 3 hours, skimming off foam or fat occasionally.
  2. Strain and Save Broth: Remove the ham bone and vegetables with tongs and a slotted spoon. Set aside the bone to pick off remaining meat later. Strain broth through a fine mesh sieve into another pot or bowl. Season with salt to taste. Serve as a simple soup or use as a base for next meals.
  3. Prepare Ham & Bean Soup: Drain and rinse soaked beans. In a soup pot, combine 6 cups of reserved ham broth with beans, diced potatoes, diced carrots, minced garlic, and smoked paprika. Simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours until beans and vegetables are tender. Add chopped kale or spinach during the last 10 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Assemble Ham & Rice Casserole: Pick remaining meat off the ham bone (about 1.5 cups). In a mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, ham meat, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, cream or milk, and black pepper. Stir until combined. Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

Notes

Simmer the broth gently to avoid cloudiness and bitterness. Soak beans overnight for best results or quick-soak if short on time. Use day-old rice for casserole to prevent mushiness. Multi-task during simmering to save time. For dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut milk and cheese with dairy-free alternatives. For vegetarian/vegan, omit ham bone and use smoked paprika and vegetable scraps.

Nutrition

Keywords: ham bone, zero waste, leftover ham, broth, soup, casserole, easy dinner, cozy meals, three dinners, budget-friendly

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/cozy-zero-waste-easter-ham-bone-3-dinner-feast-easy-recipes/