After the holidays, I’m always looking for easy ways to use up leftover ham. This Ham Salad is one of those recipes that comes together in minutes and somehow tastes even better the next day. I have a version of this in my Volume 2 cookbook.
It’s simple, flexible, and doesn’t require exact measurements. Finely chopped ham, a little pickle relish for sweetness, and just enough mayonnaise to bring it all together. The Kinder’s Blend seasoning adds the perfect touch without needing a long list of spices.
What I love most about this recipe is how forgiving it is. Add a chopped boiled egg if you have one. Toss in a little onion or celery for crunch. Or keep it classic and simple—it’s delicious either way.
Serve it on bread with a slice of tomato, scoop it onto crackers, or eat it straight from the bowl while standing at the counter. It’s the kind of old-fashioned, practical recipe that makes leftovers feel like a brand-new meal.
If you’ve got holiday ham hanging around in the fridge, this one’s a keeper.
Some of the best recipes don’t come from a cookbook. They come from leftovers! Butter Bean Pie is one of those dishes. It’s made with leftover holiday ham, tender butter beans, and simple dumplings dropped right into the pot. Nothing fancy. Nothing complicated. Just good food that stretches what you already have. It's perfect for after the busyness of Christmas.
The ham slowly flavors the broth, the butter beans soak it all in, and the pie crust dumplings turn it into a true one-pot meal. It’s the kind of recipe that doesn’t need exact measurements—just a little time and a lot of heart.
- Mama Sue
- Dec 30, 2025
Click the picture for the recipe!
There’s just something comforting about starting a brand-new year with a pot simmering on the stove. For many families across the South (and beyond), New Year’s Day isn’t complete without collard greens and black-eyed peas (the picture above shows purple hull peas but you prepare them the same). It’s more than a meal—it’s a tradition filled with hope, history, and a little extra good luck.
Do you do this tradition? We sure do.
Collard greens are said to represent money and prosperity, thanks to their rich green color that resembles dollar bills. Black-eyed peas symbolize luck and abundance, and some folks even say the peas stand for coins. Add a little cornbread on the side (for gold), and you’ve got yourself a full plate of New Year’s wishes.
Are collard greens and black-eyed peas on your New Year’s menu? Or is this the year you start a new tradition of your own?
We have been so blessed this year, and we pray that your new year will be just as full of blessings.
And because we have so many ways to prepare these items, here are alternate videos.
