Leftover Ham Compote Delight is a perfect way to transform your post-holiday ham into a sweet and savory delight. This simple yet flavorful dish brings together ham with apples and raisins for a comforting meal that's great for breakfast or brunch.
Ham adds a savory, meaty backbone to the compote, making it hearty and satisfying. Leftover ham works perfectly here, giving it a second life. Apples, with their natural sweetness, complement the ham beautifully, offering a fresh, fruity note. Raisins introduce a chewy texture and additional sweetness, while the brown sugar caramelizes everything together. Apple cider vinegar provides a tangy contrast, balancing the dish. Cinnamon adds warmth and depth, with black pepper and salt enhancing all the flavors. Lastly, butter brings it all together with a rich, smooth base.
This compote is versatile. Serve it warm over toast or biscuits for a hearty breakfast. It pairs wonderfully with pancakes or waffles, adding a delightful twist. Another great option is to spoon it over a bed of rice or couscous for a savory-sweet lunch or dinner.
Start by placing a medium saucepan over medium heat and toss in the butter. Let it melt until it starts to bubble gently. Once you’ve got that going, add your diced ham. Sauté for about 3 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the ham starts to look slightly crispy around the edges.
Next, stir in your diced apples and raisins. Let them mingle with the ham in the pan, cooking for another 2 minutes. This helps the apples start to soften and the raisins to plump up.
Now, it's time to add the rest of the gang: sprinkle in the brown sugar, pour in the apple cider vinegar, and add the cinnamon, black pepper, and salt. Stir everything well to ensure the flavors meld together.
Let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom. You want it to thicken and for the apples to become tender. Once it’s ready, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool slightly before serving. This cooling time helps the flavors to set.