Mama Vi's Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Ham Delight
Experience a burst of tropical flavors with Mama Vi's Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Ham Delight. This delightful dish features tender chunks of cooked ham sautéed with fresh bell peppers and onions, complemented by juicy pineapple chunks in a sweet and tangy sauce. Finished with a choice of crunchy slivered almonds or cashews, this recipe is perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner. Serve it over fluffy rice for a complete meal that brings the taste of Hawaii to your kitchen. Share the love and warmth of Mama Vi’s cooking with friends and family today!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
cooked ham
3 cups (diced)
large onion
1 (diced)
medium green bell pepper
1 (rough cut)
pineapple chunks
1 cup (in unsweetened natural juice)
dry mustard
2 teaspoons (none)
brown sugar
1/2 cup (none)
white sugar
1 cup (none)
vinegar
1/3 cup (or to taste)
retained pineapple juice
1 cup (from canned pineapple)
soy sauce
1 tablespoon (none)
Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon (none)
cornstarch
3 tablespoons (dissolved in water)
margarine
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
almonds or cashews
1 cup (slivered and browned in butter or roasted)
Instructions
1
Start by roasting the slivered almonds in a skillet with butter until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside if choosing almonds as a topping.
2
If using pineapple in light syrup, reduce the amount of white sugar by half to balance the sweetness.
3
Pre-measure all the ingredients for the sweet and sour sauce: pineapple juice, white sugar, vinegar, brown sugar, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. Mix these together in a large bowl and set aside.
4
Begin cooking your rice on a back burner as it typically takes about 30 minutes to prepare.
5
In a large skillet, melt margarine over medium heat. Add cooked ham, diced onion, and cut bell pepper. Sauté the mixture for 3-5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly while retaining some crunch.
6
Incorporate the pineapple chunks into the skillet, mixing them thoroughly with the ham and vegetables until heated through.
7
Once the mixture is hot, let it sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes.
8
Pour the pre-mixed sweet and sour sauce over the sautéed ingredients in the skillet. Stir gently to combine everything well.
9
Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Cover the skillet, allowing it to heat until it reaches a simmer, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking.
10
While the mixture is heating, dissolve cornstarch in approximately 1/2 cup of very cold water, stirring until smooth.
11
Once boiling, slowly stir in the dissolved cornstarch using a spatula to incorporate it evenly into the sauce. This will thicken the sauce beautifully.
12
After the sauce has thickened, reduce the heat to a simmer. Keep stirring gently until the sauce is uniformly thickened.
13
Cover the skillet and allow it to simmer on low heat until you're ready to serve, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
14
Fluff the cooked rice just before serving.
15
Serve the Hawaiian ham delight hot over the fluffy rice. Garnish each plate with toasted almond slivers or roasted cashews as desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary meat used in Mama Vi's Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Ham Delight?
The primary meat used in this recipe is 3 cups of diced cooked ham.
What vegetables are required for this dish?
This dish requires one large diced onion and one medium green bell pepper, rough cut.
How is the sweet and sour sauce flavored?
The sauce is flavored with pineapple juice, white sugar, brown sugar, vinegar, dry mustard, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
How do you thicken the sauce?
The sauce is thickened by stirring in 3 tablespoons of cornstarch dissolved in 1/2 cup of very cold water once the mixture is boiling.
What should I serve with this ham delight?
It is recommended to serve the Hawaiian ham delight hot over fluffy rice.
What can I use as a garnish?
You can garnish the dish with toasted slivered almonds or roasted cashews.
How do I prepare the almonds if using them for topping?
Roast the slivered almonds in a skillet with butter until they are golden brown before setting them aside.
How much pineapple is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of pineapple chunks, preferably in unsweetened natural juice.
What adjustment should I make if using pineapple in light syrup?
If using pineapple in light syrup, reduce the amount of white sugar by half to balance the sweetness.
How long should the vegetables and ham be sautéed?
Sauté the ham, onion, and bell pepper for 3-5 minutes until the vegetables soften slightly while retaining some crunch.
What is the purpose of the pineapple juice?
One cup of retained pineapple juice from the canned pineapple is used as the base for the sweet and sour sauce.
How much soy sauce is included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.
Is there any brown sugar in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe requires 1/2 cup of brown sugar.
How much white sugar is needed for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of white sugar, though this may be adjusted if the pineapple is packed in syrup.
What type of mustard is used in Mama Vi's recipe?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of dry mustard.
How much Worcestershire sauce should I add?
Add 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to the sweet and sour sauce mixture.
What fat is used to sauté the main ingredients?
Use 2 tablespoons of margarine to sauté the ham, onions, and bell peppers.
How much vinegar is required for the tanginess?
The recipe suggests 1/3 cup of vinegar, or more depending on your taste preference.
When should I start cooking the rice?
You should start cooking the rice early, as it typically takes about 30 minutes to prepare.
How should the cornstarch be incorporated into the sauce?
Slowly stir the dissolved cornstarch into the boiling mixture using a spatula to ensure it thickens evenly.
How long do you simmer the dish after the sauce has thickened?
Cover the skillet and simmer on low heat until you are ready to serve, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
What is the recommended size for the bell pepper?
One medium green bell pepper is recommended for this recipe.
What is the recommended preparation for the onion?
The large onion should be diced.
How many nuts are used for the garnish?
The recipe suggests 1 cup of slivered almonds or roasted cashews.
Can I use fresh pineapple juice?
Yes, while the recipe specifies 1 cup of retained juice from canned pineapple, fresh juice can be substituted.
Should the skillet be covered during the simmering process?
Yes, cover the skillet while heating to a simmer and again after the sauce has thickened.
What heat level is used for sautéing?
The ham and vegetables should be sautéed over medium heat.
How do you ensure the sauce doesn't stick to the pan?
Stir the mixture occasionally while it is simmering and thickening to prevent it from sticking to the skillet.
When is the pineapple added to the pan?
Incorporate the pineapple chunks into the skillet after the ham and vegetables have been sautéed for 3 to 5 minutes.
What is the overall flavor profile of this dish?
The dish offers a burst of tropical flavors that are both sweet and tangy.