Written by Leslie Boswell @ Common Ground Nebraska

After growing up on a hog farm, life on a grain farm seems pretty simple. Back then, everything we did had to wait until chores were done all 365 days a year including Christmas, birthday parties and sports events. Now our work is more seasonal and dependant on the weather.

My husband, Ken, and I farm about 1,200 acres of irrigated and dryland corn and soybeans near Shickley, Nebraska. This keeps us busy from early spring to late fall, but also gives us time to spend with our family and nine grandchildren. Through most of the year I am the support staff, helping in any way I can. At harvest time I run the combine.

When we are not busy on the farm, we like to travel and attend meetings and conferences relating to farm. We feel it is important to understand and support all aspects of our industry. We live on our land, drink water from our well, and we are good stewards of the land that supports us. We care about safety for us, our family and for the food we raise on our family farm.

This is one of my favorite pork recipes. Enjoy!

 

Ham Loaf Superb Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 ½ lb. ground ham
¼ c. finely chopped onion
4 eggs, beaten
1 ½ lb. ground pork, not sausage
2 T. prepared mustard, divided (I used spicy brown mustard – it’s up to you!)
1 ½ c. finely crushed soda crackers
¼ c. brown sugar
1 ½ c. milk
1 c. pineapple juice
pepper to taste

Note: to make the cupcakes, I halved this recipe, which yielded in 11 cupcakes.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ham, pork, eggs, crackers, milk, onion, 1 tablespoon mustard and pepper.

2. Mix well.

3. In a saucepan, bring the 1 tablespoon mustard, brown sugar and pineapple juice to a boil. Reduce slightly.

4. Coat each muffin cup, then fill just under the brim with the ham mixture.

5. Add a spoonful of the sauce over each muffin cup before baking.

6. Bake for 1 hour. Baste with remainder of juice mixture several times during baking.

These can also be made into individual serving size loaves or one large loaf! If you make a loaf, add pineapple rings on the top for a fun addition.