I mention oven and broiler meals from time to time. The idea is that you have an entire the goes into the oven at the same time and temp, and usually bakes the same amount of time. Obviously, you need to prep things ahead of time. It’s great when you’re having guests and want to serve something down-homey, and want to hang out with them rather than in the kitchen. In my case, I’ll leisurely prep this ahead of time on Marica Cooks Wednesday, and then go run errands, pick up Mr. Big Food, and pop it in the oven when we get home.

OVEN MEAL OF HAM, POTATOES, CORN, AND DATE RAPTURES

Serves 6

Preheat oven to 350˚. Prepare all dishes and bake 30 minutes.

PINEAPPLE STUFFED HAM

3 Tbsp butter, melted
¼ C onion, minced
3 Tbsp celery, chopped
1 ½ C bread cubes, toasted and buttered
1 Tbsp bell pepper, chopped fine
1/8 tsp salt
Dash pepper
1/8 tsp poultry seasoning
¾ C crushed pineapple, drained
1 ¼ lb slice of fully cooked ham

Melt butter in a large skillet and sauté onion until tender. Add remaining ingredients and stir to blend, heating well. Place ham slice in shallow baking dish and spread stuffing evenly over top. Bake uncovered.

REBAKED POTATOES

1 clove garlic, minced
¾ tsp salt
4 ½ Tbsp butter, softened
3 Tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese
¾ tsp paprika
¼ tsp pepper
6 medium, unpeeled baked potatoes, cold

Mash minced garlic with salt. Blend mixture with butter, cheese, paprika, and pepper. Slash potatoes at ½ inch intervals nearly to bottom and spread garlic mixture between slices. Place in shallow baking dish and bake uncovered.

SCALLOPED CORN

3 C cream style corn
¾ C milk
¾ C bread cubes, toasted and buttered
¼ C onion, chopped fine
¼ C bell pepper, chopped fine
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
4 tsp butter

Combine all ingredients except butter in a 1 ½ quart casserole. Dot with butter. Bake uncovered.

DATE RAPTURES

1 C flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
¼ C shortening, softened
½ C sugar
1 egg
1/3 C buttermilk
1 Tbsp grated orange rind
1 C dates, chopped

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add remaining ingredients except dates, beating thoroughly until smooth. Blend in dates and spoon into 6 greased muffin tins. Bake and serve as dessert with Sweetened Orange Juice.

Sweetened Orange Juice

¾ C strained orange juice
¼ C sugar

Mix together and pour over Date Raptures split in half.