Team Alton's Contestant Emily Ellyn's "Hats Off to Ham" makeover of "bland" dish Ham Steak with Pineapple and Maraschino Cherries and String Beans for the Star Challenge "Fashion Week: Taking a Risk" in Episode 4, as seen on Food Network's Star, Season 8.
Recipe courtesy of Emily Ellyn

Hat's Off to Ham

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  • Level: Intermediate
  • Total: 40 min
  • Prep: 20 min
  • Inactive: 5 min
  • Cook: 15 min
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Ham Salad: 

Spicy Pickle Cherry Salad:

Directions

Special equipment:
1 1/2-to-2-inch wide by 2-inch deep ring mold and 4-inch wooden skewers
  1. For the ham salad: Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. 
  2. Grill the pineapple slices so there are hatch marks on each side. Transfer the pineapple to a parchment-lined baking sheet and place in the fridge to cool. 
  3. In a food processor, pulse the ham until coarsely chopped and transfer to a medium bowl. Chop the green olives in the food processor until coarsely chopped. Transfer the olives to the ham and add the mayo, freeze-dried pineapple, ginger and lemon zest. Taste and season with salt and pepper. 
  4. For the spicy pickle cherry salad: In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions. Saute until slightly translucent. Add the vinegar, salt, cayenne, pepper flakes and garlic and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and add the green beans, minced maraschino cherries and a pinch of black pepper. Let steep for 5 minutes, and then let cool. 
  5. Fill a deep skillet 1/4-inch deep with oil and heat over medium heat to 350 degrees F. Fry the ham slices until they become slightly browned and starts to curl up at the edges, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. 
  6. Assemble the skewers with pieces of ham, dried pineapple rings and 3 whole cherries. 
  7. Cut the grilled pineapple ring using the ring mold. Place the pineapple in the bottom of the mold and top with ham salad to fill halfway. Layer the spicy pickle cherry salad on the ham salad. Remove the mold and top with a skewer.