Rustic Corn Blini With Ham Salad Recipes

APPLE-AND-HAM SALAD

Steps:

• Thinly slice the apples. Toss with the lemon juice in a large bowl.
• Make the dressing: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 8 minutes. Whisk in the vinegar and mustard; remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Whisk in the sour cream and 1/4 cup water.
• Add the dressing to the bowl with the apples. Add the ham, watercress and endives. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat.

HAM CAKE

Steps:

• Coat two 8-inch and two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray. Prepare the cake mixes as the label directs. Divide the batter among the 4 pans and bake at 350˚ F as directed. Let cool, then remove the cakes from the pans.
• Stack the two 8-inch cakes on top of the two 9-inch cakes, spreading frosting between each layer. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Measure 3 inches in from one side of the top cake layer. Starting at this point, use a serrated knife to cut down through the cake as shown, ending 1 1/2 inches in from the same side on the bottom layer.
• Put the larger section of cake, cut-side down, on a platter. Separate the trimmed-off cake into two 2-layer pieces and stack them on top of one another at the narrow end of the layer cake.
• Cover the rounded part of the cake with a thin layer of frosting. Tint 1/2 cup frosting pink and spread on the flat side, making it as smooth as possible. Refrigerate the cake for about 30 minutes.
• Spread the remaining white frosting over the rounded part of the cake, making it as smooth as possible. Use a chopstick to make crosshatch marks in the frosting, about 1 1/2 inches apart.
• In a small bowl, combine 1/4 teaspoon pink food coloring, 1 drop yellow food coloring and 1 tablespoon vanilla. Use a small brush to paint the color in the crosshatch marks. Return the cake to the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Mix 6 drops yellow and 1 drop red food coloring. Separately, mix 1/4 teaspoon brown food coloring with 2 teaspoons vanilla. Brush both colors on the white frosting. To complete the look, mix the cocoa powder with 1 teaspoon warm water and flick the mixture onto the cake with a brush.
• Pat the pineapple rings dry with paper towels. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and brown with a kitchen torch or under the broiler. Attach to the cake with toothpicks. Press 4 mini chocolate chips into each ring and press a cherry into the center. Remove the toothpicks after slicing.

SWEET CORN BLINI

Steps:

• Put flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and sugar in a mixing bowl. Grind 1 cup corn kernels to a rough purée in a food processor, then add egg and yogurt, and pulse to mix. Add corn mixture to flour mixture and stir together until just mixed to make a thick batter. Stir in 4 tablespoons melted butter. Set aside for 5 minutes. Thin with a little milk if necessary. (Batter may be prepared several hours ahead.)
• Warm remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add remaining 1 cup corn kernels. Season with salt and pepper, then cook for 1 minute or so to heat through. Keep warm.
• Put greased griddle or cast-iron pan over medium heat. Using 1 tablespoon batter, make pancakes about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Cook for 1 minute, until bubbles appear on surface and pancakes are lightly browned. Flip and cook for 30 seconds more. (Be sure to keep heat moderate or else the pancakes will blacken.) Pancakes may be cooked in advance and reheated.
• To serve, place 3 hot pancakes on small plate. Top with spoonful of cooked corn and some of the butter from the pan. Drizzle with crème fraîche and sprinkle with chives.

HAM AND CORN SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium-sized bowl, make dressing by mixing together sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
• Add remaining ingredients and toss to blend. Cover and chill for at least one hour.
• Longer chill time is better so the flavors can blend.