works for me wednesday: leftover easter ham

Today I thought I would share a couple of my favorite recipes to use up that leftover Easter ham after the mashed potatoes are gone and your family has had it's fill of cold ham sandwiches. Both recipes freeze well so if everyone is getting tired of ham you can make these up and pop them in the freezer and wait to have them on a day when you haven't had time to cook. These kinds of meals to use up leftovers works for me!

Ham and Vegetable Casserole

2 c. ham, cooked and diced
2 c. potatoes, cooked and diced
2 c. carrots, cooked and diced
2 c. peas, cooked
1 1/2 c. milk
4 T. flour
4 T. butter
4 oz cream cheese
salt and pepper

Combine ham and vegetables in a casserole. In a saucepan, make a white sauce by melting butter and stirring in the flour. Add milk and stir until thickened. Add softened cream cheese and mix thoroughly. Mix in with vegetables and ham and season to taste. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. This casserole can be topped with shredded cheddar cheese and Durkee onions if you'd like.

Cheesy Ham and Rice Soup

4 celery ribs, diced
1 large onion, diced
1/4 cup butter
4 carrots, shredded
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cups half and half cream
8 oz Velveeta, cubed
4 cups cooked wild rice
3 cups fully cooked ham, cubed
3 cups cooked brown rice
3 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules
8 cups water

In a saucepan, saute celery and onion in butter until tender. Add carrots; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes. In a large soup pot, combine the flour, salt and pepper. Gradually stir in the cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in cheese until melted. Stir in the wild rice, ham, brown rice, bouillon, celery mixture and water. Return to a boil. Serve with a big, crusty piece of bread!

For more Works For Me Wednesday ideas visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer!