Ham Isn't Ham without Pineapple Sauce

So did you know that the only decent way to eat Ham is with Pineapple sauce. If you didn't or have never had Pineapple sauce, then you have never experienced good ham! At least I would argue that you haven't! So the next time you make a ham, serve it with this sauce and see how much more people will eat. Or maybe, don't and just make some for yourself and serve it cold the next day with the leftover ham, it might be even better the next day!


Pineapple Sauce

1 can Pineapple chunks in heavy syrup
1/2 cup sugar
2 scant Tablespoons corn starch * (original recipe calls for flour, but I have to make it GF)

Drain pineapple syrup into saucepan. Heat over medium heat. Mix sugar and corn starch together in separate bowl, making sure to mix thoroughly. Slowly whisk into syrup and heat until thickened. Chop pineapple chunks into smaller pieces, add back to sauce. Heat through. Serve

(I have no idea where this recipe came form, it has been in my family as long as I can remember.)

Aloha Shores Park

I took the little man to the park on Saturday. We think it is kind of fun to try out new parks and see what they have to offer. So here is a run down of the park

Location: Buffalo and Cheyenne (It is right on Buffalo, but is somewhat hidden. It is right next to the Library)

Amenities:

• Playground equipment with 4 slides, all pieces hooked together. Easy to get on and off by using the gradual stairs
• Playground equipment is covered
  
• Tennis courts x 2
• Fenced in Roller Hockey Rink (no goals)
• Sand/Gravel Volleyball pit - the ends are overgrown with weeds and the net leaves much to be desired in terms of height but it is there
• Covered group picnic area (3 tables)
• 5 other picnic tables scattered around the park
• BBQ pit stands next to each table
• Bathroom with water fountain
• Horseshoe pits x 2
• Medium size flat grassy area (although the grass was pretty much all dead, but looks like it is the type that will come back in the summer)
• Good size trees that will help provide shade during the summer
  

Downfalls:

• Limited Parking, no lot for the playground itself
• No benches close to the playground equipment for parents to sit and watch their children
  
• Sand/Gravel under play equipment
  

I don't know if we will go back to this park, the sand/gravel under the playground is a big turnoff. Not just for me but for the little man, he hates getting sand in his shoes. We probably had to dump out is shoes 4 times during the hour we were there.

Strawberry Bread

So I have been on a quick bread kick lately. It started with Pumpkin Chocolate Chip which led to Banana Bread, and now I made a Strawberry Quick Bread for the first time. It is easy to make and the batter was great, but the end product left a little to be desired in my book. I think it needs a hint of lemon or something to freshen it up, I will probably try to use the Strawberry Cake recipe we made a few weeks ago, to try and change it up a little bit. But it is definitely something to make again, just with a few adjustments. I made two loafs- one regular and one Gluten Free! :)


Strawberry Quick Bread
Original Recipe from My Baking Addiction

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour (I subbed in Jules GF Flour Blend for Gluten free version)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 cup buttermilk (I didn't have any so I subbed in Greek Yogurt)
1 1/2 cups strawberries, rinse, dried and chopped

Directions
1. Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. With electric mixer cream butter, sugar and cream cheese until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla.
3. In separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Blend flour mixture with butter mixture just until blended. Add yigurt and only stir until just combined; do not over mix.
4. Carefully fold in strawberries. Dough mixture will be thick.
5. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes.