Imagine a dish that combines the rich, creamy goodness of Asiago cheese, the bold kick of cracked black pepper, and perfectly cooked ham – a culinary masterpiece that transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience. This Asiago Cheese Cracked Black Pepper Rice Ham is not just a recipe; it's a flavor explosion that will have your family and friends begging for seconds, and possibly stealing leftovers in the middle of the night!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup shredded Asiago cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup cracked black pepper
- 1 fully cooked ham (about 4 lbs)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center of the oven.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, shredded Asiago cheese, heavy cream, and cracked black pepper. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Season the rice mixture with salt to taste, stirring gently to incorporate the seasoning.
- Place the fully cooked ham in a large roasting pan, positioning it fat side up to help retain moisture during cooking.
- Spread the prepared Asiago and black pepper rice mixture evenly around the ham in the roasting pan, creating a flavorful bed for the meat.
- Cover the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil to prevent the ham and rice from drying out during reheating.
- Place the covered roasting pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45-60 minutes, or until the ham is heated through and the rice is steaming hot.
- Remove the foil during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to allow the top of the rice to develop a light golden crust and the ham to slightly caramelize.
- Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the temperature to stabilize.
- Slice the ham and serve with the Asiago and black pepper rice, garnishing with additional cracked black pepper if desired.
Tips
- Rice Perfection: Use day-old rice or freshly cooked rice that has been slightly cooled to prevent the mixture from becoming mushy.
- Cheese Selection: Choose a high-quality Asiago cheese for maximum flavor – freshly grated works best!
- Pepper Power: Freshly cracked black pepper makes a huge difference. Use a pepper mill to grind it just before mixing for the most intense flavor.
- Ham Handling: If your ham is very salty, reduce or omit additional salt in the rice mixture.
- Moisture Magic: The heavy cream helps keep the rice creamy and prevents it from drying out during baking.
- Foil Technique: Keep the foil tight during initial baking to trap moisture, but remove it towards the end for a slight crispy top.
- Resting is Key: Always let the dish rest for 10 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld and make serving easier.Pro Tip: For an extra touch of elegance, garnish with some fresh chopped parsley or chives before serving to add a pop of color and fresh flavor!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 85mg
