Friday, January 10, 2020

Sheila Connolly's Ham and Cheese Pie #giveaway

Ham and Cheese Pie from Sheila



Another oldie but goodie from my mother’s 1960’s stash of recipes! Not that I remember her making it—most of the meals I remember at home were strictly meat-starch-veg. Her version of this recipe was made with Bisquick. I found myself reverse-engineering the stuff, which is ridiculously simple (flour, baking powder, salt and shortening). It's not a lot of work so that leaves you time to read Fatal Roots, #8 in the County Cork mystery series in bookstores now! And be sure to leave a comment below to be entered in the giveaway of one copy of FATAL ROOTS...


Ham and Cheese Pie

Ingredients:



2 cups cooked ham, diced
1 cup cheese (my mother’s version called for Swiss cheese, but any semi-hard cheese that you can shred will be fine—just taste it for saltiness before you add any additional salt), shredded
1/2 cup green onions (scallions) or yellow onion, chopped
4 eggs
2 cups whole milk
1 cup Bisquick (or make your own--see below)
salt and pepper

Note: if you don’t have any Bisquick handy, you can make your own by mixing:

1 cup flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 Tblsp. shortening, olive oil or melted butter


Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 10-inch pie plate.



Sprinkle the diced ham over the bottom, then the cheese over the ham.



Beat together the remaining ingredients (yes, including the scallions or onion) until smooth. Pour the mixture over the ingredients in the pie plate.





Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. (Note: this time may vary widely depending on the type of pie pan you are using. In a metal pan the pie will cook more quickly than in a glass or pottery pan.) You can test for doneness by inserting a knife into the center of the pie to see if it comes out clean and/or wiggling it to see if the center is set.



Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.



My verdict for this vintage recipe? I was happily surprised: it tasted really good. The flavors of the slightly smoky ham, the sharp cheddar that I used, and the onions blended well. I also wondered if it would collapse into a gooey mess when I tried to cut it, but the pieces held their shape well. And it’s easy to make (once you finish chopping and shredding), plus you can swap out ingredients. Feel free to experiment!


Praise for Fatal Roots:
"Likely to appeal to readers who love Irish settings, Irish folklore, and Irish chatter."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Series fans will enjoy spending time in the company of old friends."
—Publishers Weekly

"The perfect cozy mystery with its small setting full of colorful characters, multiple points of intrigue, and a strong, sassy heroine."
—Foreword Reviews

"Intriguing and whimsical with just the right amount of menace, Fatal Roots is a cozy mystery that’s full of surprises."
—Foreword Reviews

"Satisfying...For fans of the series, but this should also work with those [who] enjoy gentle reads."
—Booklist

LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE ENTERED IN THE DRAWING FOR THE NEW BOOK!

45 comments:

  1. Thanks for the recipe! Would love to win this book. Got a notice from the library that my copy is ready for me to pick up. Can't wait!

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  2. A great cover on Fatal Roots. Thanks for the recipe.

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  3. My mom cooked everything from scratch so wouldn't have made this. But it sounds like one of the Bisquik "impossible" pies I loved to make when my children were small. It seemed amazing how it made its own crust. Every once in awhile I find an old recipe and try one and like you are pleased with it. Thanks for the giveaway. Love the series. sallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. A perfect winter recipe. Thanks for this lovely feature and giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. I’m so glad to hear from you. We have missed you on Facebook and I was getting worried. I would love to win this book. It and the Victorian village book late on my list to buy once I’ve recovered from Christmas. suefoster109 at gmail dot com

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  6. Would love to win this book! Absolutely love this series and every trip back to Ireland with each book!
    a.connolley@gmail.com

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  7. This does sound tasty.
    I have my library copy of the new book next to me, waiting its turn in the TBR pile.
    It's the next one up and I eagerly look forward to it.

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  8. I'm going to try this next time I have leftover ham. This sounds great. Love this series too. Visiting Ireland is on my bucket list but for now it's fun to visit through your books.
    kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  9. Hey Sheila, we both know how much I love your books.. I'd love to win a copy of this book to add to my Sheila Connolly collection (13 and growing).

    NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com

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  10. I've been thinking about starting a brunch group that meets once a month on a Sunday, either at my house every time or switching it up to other people's houses, and this would be a perfect recipe for it!
    kimheniadis at gmail dot com

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  11. I love your books thanks for the chance jcook22@yahoo.com

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  12. Um, that sounds yummy! nasselin2004(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  13. Great recipe! Can't wait to try it. Hoping someday to visit Ireland. It seems to be such a special place.
    Margaret: scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. Sounds like a great recipe! And I would like to win the book - I love this series!

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  15. I really like reading about Ireland and "Fatal Roots" sounds like an amazing book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. I love visiting Ireland when I read the books in this series.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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  17. I like ham and cheese pie, too. I remember my mother always having Bisquick on hand. I make it from scratch. I love the cover of your latest book. bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

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  18. I’m sure I have that recipe in an old Bisquick cookbook! Can’t wait to read the latest County Clare mystery!
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  19. This is my favorite series, I love the development of the characters.

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  20. The recipe looks delicious! COUNT ME IN!! lindalou64(@)live(dot)com

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  21. I wish that i had this recipe the other day we made a huge ham. When we were done my husband made a few sandwiches and then we had eggs with it. Then we were burned out on ham but I could of froze it and made this instead we gave to our son to eat . Thank you for posting peggy clayton would love to read and review on a few sites ptclayton2@aol.com

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  22. The recipe sounds good. Thanks for the chance. im2early4u(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Love the recipe - I want to try it with gluten free bisquick. Thanks for a chance to win your latest book. I really like this series!! ljbonkoski@yahoo.com

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  24. Recipe sounds like one I'd like. I know I'd like the book because I like her writing. rgp1950@yahoo.com

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  25. Oh but this recipe sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing. I love going through some of my moms old recipes from great great grandmas of hers. This sounds like a fantastic book. quilting lady 2 at comcast dot net

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  26. Nice recipe and it looks easy too. Thanks so much for sharing! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. Love quick and easy recipes - thank you!

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  28. The recipe sounds delicious. I enjoy your books.

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  29. Perfect timing, I happen to have some leftover ham.
    Where have you been? Noticed your absence on Facebook.
    kateeileenshannon (@) gmail (.) com

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  30. This is a great sounding recipe. Thanks for the giveaway! lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net

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  31. Interesting recipe! Would love to read Sheila's book! Thanks for the chance! almaj80(at)suddenlink(dot)net

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  32. I used to make recipes with bisquick One was impossible pie I think. Thank you for the recipe. I can't wait to read the book.

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  33. We do not eat ham, but I bet a plant based sub would still work. My mom used to make variations of this. Thanks!
    browninggloria(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  34. Looks good! Thanks for the chance!

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  35. Love the recipe and giveaway. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  36. This sounds delicious. I would love to win your book, I like anything pertaining to Ireland or Scotland.

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  37. That looks like a great recipe to try someday soon! Thanks! And thanks for the chance to win your latest book!
    ElaineE246 at msn dot com

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  38. The recipe sounds great and so does the book. Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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  39. I can't wait to read this book in the series. I printed the recipe and added it to my "try it" file of recipes, it looks like one my guys would like. Renee

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  40. That looks like such any easy -- and good -- recipe! And I'd love to read that book!!!!
    digicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net

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  41. This recipe is similar to one of my standby recipes. Mine includes kernel corn as well. When I don't have any ham, I have been known to substitute about half a can of baked beans in tomatoe sauce, rinsed and drained. It works quite well. I really enjoy the County Cork mysteries, having fond memories of Cork from a trip in 2005. Thanks for the chance to win this new book.
    gnluciow (at) gmail (dot) com

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  42. Ah, the ham & Swiss impossible pie. I love these recipes & have never had one fail (knocking on wood). Would love to win the book. schmokercarol(at)gmail(dot)com

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  43. Sounds like an easy and good recipe. tWarner419@aol.com

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  44. Congratulations on the new release! Thanks for this opportunity & the recipe.
    Dm_richards(at)yahoo(dot)com

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