Deviled Ham Spread

Wednesday 15 April 2020


One thing we used to really love mom to put in our lunches when I was growing up were deviled ham sandwiches.  Deviled Ham was a type of meat paste that came in a can, but it was different from other canned meat pastes in that it came wrapped in white paper with a fancy red devil printed on the outsides. 


We loved it.  It was a bit spicy and salty and we just thought of these sandwiches as being very tasty.  I am not sure if there is anything here in the UK that is the equivalent of it.  If there is I have not found it. 



I usually make my own and today I used some of the leftover ham from our Easter dinner to do just that.  It is a very simple thing to make if you have a food processor.  I am not sure you could get the ham fine enough otherwise although you could certainly try. 


I think you might could with a really sharp knife, but it would take some time, chopping and re-chopping it to get the right consistency.  If you have a food processor, I would definitely use that.


Even so you need to chop the ham up into a smaller pieces anyways.  I cut my ham into thin slices with a sharp knife and then slivered the slices before popping it into the food processor.  I used my small processor.  It worked really well.


A small amount of softened butter adds to the richness of this spread. Making it even creamier.  Don't use cold butter.  It won't amalgamate as well. You need it to be softened.  This gets blitzed with ham just until both are well mixed together and you cannot tell where one starts and the other ends.


Once that has happened it is only a matter of scraping it into a bowl and then adding a few more ingredients to add to the pleasure of this tasty spread.


Mayonnaise and mustard.  I use real mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.  The Dijon provides lots of flavour and heat and the mayo adds to the creaminess.


Sweet pickle relish.  Now that is not something which is readily available here in the UK. 


The closest thing I have found to it is this. 

  

This is what I normally use however. I buy it from an American supply shop and it lasts for quite a while in the refrigerator.  We enjoy it on hotdogs and burgers, etc. 



If you can't get that then I suggest you get some sweet pickles (Mrs Elwood makes good ones) and chop them really fine. Or just leave them out entirely.  Its your choice.


It goes without saying that you will not need any salt in this spread, the ham is salty enough, but you will need a few other things.  I like to use plenty of ground black pepper, and then I add a touch of ground allspice for authenticity, and some cayenne pepper for heat.



There is not enough of any of them to be truly discernable, just enough to give you a hint of flavour and to be honest it wouldn't taste truly authentic without them.


While I am very happy to enjoy my Deviled Ham on crackers or crisp breads, Todd enjoys his in a sandwhich.  This goes very well in a sandwich. Nothing else needed, just lightly buttered white bread and then a nice layer of Deviled Ham.  Scrumdiddlyumptious!

Deviled Ham Spread

Deviled Ham Spread

Yield: 16
Author:
This is rich, tangy, a touch sweet with a bit of heat. In short, delicious.  Ready to spread on crackers or crisp breads or to fill a sandwich.   This is perfect.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 pound of roast ham, thinly sliced and then cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 4 TBS unsalted butter, softened
  • 5 TBS real mayonnaise
  • 3 TBS Dijon mustard
  • 2 TBS sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice

Instructions:

How to cook Deviled Ham Spread

  1. Put your ham into the bowl of a food processor and blitz several pulses until coarsely chopped. Drop in the butter and blitz  again, pulsing until the ham is finely chopped and the butter has been thoroughly mixed in.
  2. Scoop the ham into a bowl. Stir in the remaining ingredients, combining all well together.  Cover and chill for at least half an hour before serving.
  3. This will keep up to three days, covered and refrigerated.

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This makes about 2 cups of deviled ham. I don't recommend freezing it, but you can quite successfully cut the recipe in half. I have done so myself without any problems.  It will keep a few days in the refrigerator however.  I have never had to throw any of it away as it always gets used up quickly.  Very moreish.


17 comments

  1. That looks so good, Marie. Now I wish we had had ham for Easter dinner so I could make it with the leftovers. No reason we can't have ham anither time, lol. Hugs and love, Elaine

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    Replies
    1. You can certainly make this anytime Elaine! You can even use deli-ham! Love and hugs to you and Larry! xoxo

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  2. I'm saving this one for when we finally get a ham. Last week they were so expensive and I'm hoping the price will come down. This looks so good and I've always loved what I called ham salad sandwiches, but yes, it's the same! Yum!

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    1. Seriously tasty Jeanie! You can also use sliced deli-ham if that is all you can get. I hope that one day you are able to try this! xoxo

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  3. You know, I have always seen those tins with the devils on them, but have never ever tasted it. You have me curious now...I may have to try it LOL. (But, oh my...your bread crisps look like they would make anything taste good!!). ~Robin~

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    1. Those bread crisps are so simple Robin. I just cut a stale French stick into 1/4 inch slices. Place them on a baking sheet. Sprayed the tops with some cooking spray, flipped them over and sprayed again and then baked them in a hot oven until they were golden brown. Easy Peasy! xoxo

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  4. We have been making something similar for lunches using bologna and a small dill pickle. I'll have to try adding butter. It is delicious!

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    Replies
    1. I wish we could get bologna over here Raine. Its funny what you miss when you can't get it! Sounds tasty! xoxo

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  5. Marie, when I am craving bologna (or, actually Grilled Bologna and Cheese sandwiches), I get mortadella from the deli or Packages thinly sliced. It tastes the same, and is lovely!

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  6. I put in a pinch of turmeric. It's one of the ingredients on the label.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am sure it added much to the colour. I wouldn't be adding much however as it has a somewhat strong and bitter taste which is why it is used a lot in curries, etc. I hope you enjoyed this!

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  7. I stuff mushroom caps with Underwood and grill them- divine!

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  8. Made this with some sliced ham from the co-op here in UK. Also LIDL often have sweet pickle relish quite cheap in their MCKennedy USA foodstuffs range. Just had the devilled ham as a dip on some toasted pittas. It was delicious and will be a keeper for sure. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. I am so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback for us. It is much appreciated! xo

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  9. I love this, I kick it up a notch by adding cream cheese..

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