maybe it's the ham that feels naked?

how about a nice apple onion gratin?

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter, divided
2 pounds onions, sliced
2 tablespoons (packed) chopped fresh thyme
4 teaspoons fine sea salt, divided
2/3 cup water
2/3 cup dry white wine
4 teaspoons sugar

2 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold, yellow Finn, or German Butterball potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
2 pounds tart apples (such as Granny Smith, Pippin, or Pink Lady), peeled, halved, cored, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter 13x9x2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onions, thyme, and 2 teaspoons salt; sauté until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high; sauté until onions are tender and begin to color, about 8 minutes longer. Remove from heat. Add remaining 6 tablespoons butter, 2/3 cup water, wine, and sugar to skillet; stir and swirl skillet to combine. Bring to boil. Cool onion mixture to lukewarm.

Combine potatoes, apples, remaining 2 teaspoons salt, and onion mixture in large bowl; toss gently to blend. Transfer to prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Cover dish with parchment paper, then cover with foil, shiny side down. Bake gratin until potatoes are tender, about 55 minutes. Uncover and bake until top browns and juices bubble thickly, about 20 minutes longer. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Let stand uncovered at room temperature. Rewarm, loosely covered with foil, in 300°F oven for 20 minutes.) Let gratin stand 15 minutes before serving.

From Epicurious

Great idea - I think you need Hash Browns - I have an easy delicious Potato Bake topped w/ corn flakes if you would like the recipe.

Looks fine to me. The only thing missing is coffee.

DH requested potato casserole, but I thought that would be too much starch with the Jambalaya.... you think it would work?

The Apple Onion gratin sounds delish too!

I am putting a bunch of cheese, mustartds and chutney with the ham for little sandwiches on the biscuits since I am trying to keep it "card game" friendly too.....

Thanks for the suggestions!

Alexa

Oh yea - and home made hot pepper jelly for the ham sandwiches too!

Alexa

I think you need another bread for sandwiches too....and some cheese....always cheese! LOL!
I am thinking some good sour dough rye and emmenthaler or perhaps Jarlesberg.
Sounds like fun!
Linda C

If DH wants potatoes I say let him have something potato!!! It is his Birthday!!!

ALexa, thank you! I have a gang here for a lunch on Sunday with a ham also, and I forgot I have some hot pepper jelly, from LindaC. Perfect, and I may add bisquits also.

What about a potato salad?

This is the Potato recipe - it is delicious with ham. It is one of those recipes that seems to "go" with almost anything. I do not know it's origins - I got it from a friend many years ago. It is so easy.

OVEN POTATO BAKE
1 32 oz bag frozen hash browns (diced) like Ore-Idea but store brand is fine
Place potatoes in 9 x 13 casserole
Mix & pour over Potatoes:
1/2cup melted margarine ( I use butter)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
12 oz grated cheddar cheese
8 oz sour cream
1 tsp salt
1 onion diced
I also grind pepper over

sprinkle top w/ 2 cups crushed corn flakes
drizzle w/ 2nd 1/2 melted margarine

Bake for 45 mins at 350

You can also use 2 8 x 8 dishes.
This recipe freezes well. I freeze before it is baked in aluminum disposal pans.

That is the same potato casserole I usually make that DH just loves... except I use Durkee Fried Onions instead of the cornflakes. Yea, it's his Birthday.... I'll make that too. And I'll add another bread option too.

Thanks for all the recommendations!

Alexa

I think of bacon when I think of brunch. How about bacon wrapped something? I had some bacon wrapped dates over the holidays that were killer finger food.

How about Cheese Grits? I know it's kind of a "normal" thing, but it's always good.

Another dessert? Cookie or bar? Maybe chocolate or lemon.

OOOOOHHHHH! Bacon! OMG how could I forget Bacon!!!! Yes, I am adding "Bacon Knots" to the menu - they are oldest sons favorite treat and I rarel make them since they are soooo bad for you! (How to: Tie a piece of bacon in a loose knot, sprinkle with salt, pepper, cayenne and brown sugar ad bake at 400 for abot 20 min until crispy)

Grits - my Dh is Southern and said he moved north of the Mason Dixon line to escape Grits and Okra LOL! I like 'em, but I'm not sure how well they would go over with this Yankee crowd.

And another dessert is a perfect idea - definitely something chocolate, maybe chocolate and peanut butter? I am starting another thread to request specific recipes!

Thanks again for all the great ideas!

Alexa

Oops....sorry! I know it's a regional thing...

No Problemo at all!

I love grits... but it seems I am a mutant Yankee for that trait! Thanks for the suggestion tho!

Alexa

I think it all sounds great and I am sure you will have a great time!!

Happy BDay Mr G!!!!

Cheers!
Susie

Sounds fun! Leaning more towards breakfast....I would add a basket of assorted muffins. If it is earlier in the day some might want to start off with a muffin and the fruit salad and dig into the heartier stuff a little bit later (like in a hour - lol!)

I was thinking the same thing as Maggie. I love to start off with muffin, fruit and coffee and then graduate from there. I don't see anything else you could be missing except specific requests from dh. My mouth is watering just thinking of it all.

I think the menu looks great as-is.

I think it sounds great too once you mentioned the cheese- my favorite part of any meal!
but I also think you need some nuts- maybe smoked almonds, cashews, something.

What a great idea Alexa, sounds like a blast! Your menu looks wonderful! I might add pineapple stuffing. It's easy and can be made the night before. I have an excellent recipe if you are interested. It just bread cubes, crushed pineapple, eggs, milk and vanilla. It'a a wonderful accompeniment to ham. Also, Happy Birthday to your Hubbs! Take care and enjoy the party! Gina

Your menu sounds great Alexa:)
And the bacon knots sound really delicious! I'm going to add those to my file :)
We just hosted a small 3 day college guy weekend, they all just turned 60 this year.
I made the potato casserole and it got the most raves of all the food stuffs LOL! My recipe reads almost the same, although no cream of mushroom soup...either cream of celery or cream of chicken and green onions rather than regular. And I decided to add sausage that I'd pre-cooked. It was quite tasty with the sausage. Also 45 minutes wasn't enough time to really get those taters cooked thru and thru...I cook for at least an hour. Does your recipe suggest making 6+ small hollows with the back of a spoon 15 minutes prior to finish bake time and slip an egg in? Sometimes I do, sometimes not.
Enjoy your party, I'm sure the guys are sure to think you're the bomb!

Well how did the party go? Did you take any pictures?? We want to see the results!!!
Joann