“Eat poor on New Year’s and eat fat for the rest of the year.”
Eating ham on New Year’s Day is said to bring you good luck in the coming year. Now, this old Southern saying may or may not be true, but you should definitely whip up this delicious ham and bean recipe anyway – seriously, what is the downside?
It’s a light and refreshing meal that will still fill you up. Plus, all of that juicy ham is sure to bring you plenty of good fortune in 2017.
The flavors of the ham and asparagus are savory, with just a bit of sweetness from the peppers. Simply cook the pasta, use some leftover ham and Randall’s Great Northern Beans, slice up the veggies and make a simple dressing and you’re done! This recipe is a perfect dish to serve for your family and guests if you plan on hosting or attending a New Year’s Eve party or just some to chow down on if you’re lounging around on New Year’s Day.
Since you can eat the pasta salad warm or cold, it can be served year-round, making this a recipe you will use again and again.
May this ham and bean pasta salad bring you much luck in the New Year!
Ingredients
- Leftover ham bone
- 16 oz Gemelli pasta
- One bunch of asparagus
- 2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 2 cups Randall Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp + 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
- Remove the ham left on the bone with a sharp knife and set aside
- On a large baking sheet, toss the bell pepper slices and asparagus with two tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and roast for 10-15 minutes, stirring once halfway through
- Boil the pasta in a large pot with salted water until cooked, about 10 minutes. Drain and add to a large bowl along with the ham and beans
- Make the dressing by whisking half a cup of olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, parsley and lemon juice together
- When vegetables have cooled to the touch, chop into smaller pieces and add to the bowl with the pasta, ham and beans. Pour the dressing on top and stir together. Serve warm or refrigerate and serve cold
New Year’s resolutions are as big of a tradition as enjoying ham on the big day. Whether they actually stick or not, just about everyone takes the renewing of the year to take a look at themselves and make a dedication for change.
What’s your New Year’s resolution going to be this year?
Are you going to start hitting the gym? Do more traveling? If your resolution is to start cooking more and eating better, you can always find new and exciting recipes here at Randall Beans. Ranging in difficulty from novice to experienced chef, appetizers and snacks to main courses, you can always find something good to make. Be sure to also check out our free cookbook collections, showcasing some of our favorite recipes of all varieties. With the help of Randall Beans, becoming a better cook and eating right will be resolutions you can follow through on.
This recipe is a perfect, filling salad to prepare with ham, cornbread and beans.
