European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By Marlene Sorosky the Baltimore Sun a the beginning of Spring signals  y the Advent of easter for jews the period includes the eight Day Celebration of passover for. Muslims Spring comes this year during the holy month of Ramadan. A. A the Holiday that Marks the resurrection of Jesus arid the rebirth of nature. Easter is also the gastronomic event of the year for Many americans. It is bounteous with the tender Young offerings of the season. And if Lamb in t the dinner dish of Choice family observances in the. A a United states frequently Center around a magnificent a Rosy glazed Ham. ,. Yvo  tradition of serving Ham at the feasting fable can be traced Back to pre refrigeration Days in America the colonists accidentally discovered that the meat could be preserved with Salt or Quot cured a a process the chinese a had used for More than 2,000 years. Pioneering Ham fans found that the Ideal amount of curing time for the tasty meat was six to seven months just in time for easter a y dinner Quot y. A Quot a. A a. A fortunately for Ham lovers new methods have been developed that can turn pork into Ham More quickly and conveniently resulting in the brine cured hams in. A a american supermarkets. Since the Advent of refrigeration pork is not cured solely for preservation but for the a resulting taste that has  for generations. Today in keeping with the health conscious Riess of 90s America Ham is processed. With less fat and Salt. Athe pork producers Council says that extra lean Ham. 1 contains Only 4 percent fat and a 3-ounce serving is Only a 100 calories. A for the Centrepiece of my easter dinner have chosen a a traditional Boneless fully cooked canned Ham and. Prepared it with a twist. A Tunnel is Cut though the Center a and stuffed with a flavorful Corn bread and Pecan stuffing. Y a the top is blanketed with More stuffing and then. A baked until Golden and crusty. A \. By. Quot an added Bonus to this unusual preparation is the y ,. Dishes you can make with the Ham you be scooped out. Although my family usually asks for it in ome lets it s also. Great in stir Fries and salads and chopped up in biscuit. Batter. A a a a y a a \ a by a a. This Superb stuffed Spring entree plays the dual role of y. A meat and starch and needs Only be accompanied by tender Crisp asparagus. Although asparagus is tasty. Unadorned am especially partial to it napped with a Light cheese Aiice As in my asparagus a Gratin. It can be precooked assembled in the casserole and then. Refrigerated overnight to be reheated before serving. For dessert i offer you the richest chocolate inst easter egg you have Ever tasted. The Batter is baked in a foil lined bowl and then turned out to resemble an egg or y More accurately a Ball. After it s baked the chocolate a consistency lies somewhere Between a Rich fudge and a velvety mousse it is easiest to serve this luscious a whipped Cream Laden finale with a spoon since it is too. Rich to Cut into perfect slices. Ivy y a by a to these wonderful tastes add a bouquet of fresh. Flowers a few Birds chirping a splash of yellow Sunshine. A and you have the Promise of a glorious Day. Y y y y. Pecan stuffed Honey glazed Ham 6 to 8-Pound Boneless Ham fully cooked 2 Large onions chopped a Pound butter or Margarine y 11/2 cups packaged Corn bread stuffing mix a cup chopped Parsley 2v2 cups chopped pecans 1 Tablespoon prepared Mustard 3 eggs lightly beaten 3/4 cup Honey. Y. A a y y y y y by 3 Tablespoons Frozen Orange juice concentrate. A thawed a a a a 6  y. A a. Cut All skin and fat from Ham,.make a cavity in the. Ham. By cutting a 2-Inch-diameter cylindrical Tunnel through the y length of the Ham. Remove Ham irom Cylinder leaving a a Inch opening from front to  Center scraps of j. Ham for another use. \. A to make stuffing a Riel butter  in Large. ,. Skillet. Saute onion until soft. Remove to bowl and add a i Corn bread stuffing mix Parsley pecans Mustard and. Y % eggs toss lightly. Stuff cavity of Ham with % of the y j stuffing packing it in lightly. Score top of Ham in Diamond a pattern a cutting about to Inch deep heat oven to 325 f. Y place Ham on rack in roasting pan. Bake for 1 a hours while Ham bakes make Glaze by mixing Honey  ,. It Orange juice in Small bowl. After 1 /2 hours pour Glaze. A \ Over Ham bake 2 minutes. Remove Ham from oven and. Spread the remaining stuffing evenly Over the top. Baste with pan juices return to oven and bake 2 to 3 More minutes or until top is Golden and crusty. ,. Serves 12 to 1.6. 1. Asparagus a Gratin / 21/i to 3 pounds fresh asparagus 1/2 onion thickly sliced 4 Tablespoons butter or Margarine 4 Tablespoons All purpose flour 1/2 Teaspoon Salt or to taste dash White Pepper dash Nutmeg 11/3 cups Chicken Broth y 2-3 cups half and half 1 cup shredded Sharp Cheddar. Wash asparagus break off Tough ends and Peel lower. A half with a vegetable Peeler. Place  a time in a Large. Skillet with 1 to 2 inches of boiling water by y Cook covered Over moderate heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Or until Crisp tender when bitten into. Drain and run under. A ice cold Waler to Stop the cooking. Repeat with other halt. Drain Well and arrange in shallow casserole. A / a. To make the cheese sauce melt butter in medium a. Saucepan saute onion until soft about 10 rninutes., a. Discard the onion. Stir flour Salt Pepper and Nutmeg into. Butter. Cook and stir Over Low heat until smooth and. A. Bubbly stir in Chicken Broth and Cream. Increase heat to. A a moderate and Cook stirring until sauce comes to a full boil and thickens. Stir in cheese. Cool slightly and pour a \. Over the Center of asparagus,.leaving tips and ends. A exposed. A ,. ,. The casserole May be refrigerated covered overnight. A bring to room temperature before baking. Before serving. Heat oven to 400 f. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly  is a heated through. -.  a a  r serves eight. Y y y a chocolate easter egg plan to make this dessert several Days before serving since the chocolate needs to set up in the refrigerator for at least 2 Days. 12 ounces semisweet chocolate 3 Tablespoons instant Coffee granules 3/4 cup water 1 i cups sugar 3/4 Pound <3 Sticks unsalted butter at room temperature 6 eggs at room temperature 2 cups 1 pint whipping Cream candied violets Small Flowers or coloured decorations for garnishing optional line a 10-cup Metal bowl with several layers of Freezer foil. A a heat oven to 350 f. In a medium Saucepan cock. Chocolate Coffee and water Over Low heat stirring constantly until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Cut butter into Small a. Pieces and stir into hot mixture. Remove from heat and / stir until butter is . A y. Whisk in eggs one at a time. Pour into foil lined  for 1 hour or until the top has formed a thick crust. Remove from oven and Cool. Mixture will  crack a a. As it cools. Y a. Cover top with foil and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 Days or As  a week or the dessert May be Frozen a defrost in the refrigerator overnight. A y y. Several hours before serving remove chocolate from bowl with the foil. Tear off the foil. Place dessert on a a a serving tray rounded Side up. Whip Cream until stiff. A spread whipped Cream Over chocolate to cover. Completely or fit a pastry bag with a by Inch Star tip and a. Pipe rosettes All Over the chocolate to cover. Garnish we Flowers or decorations if desired,.refrigerate until serving. A a. Serves 10 to 12. Coated with an Orange Honey Glaze. The Ham is then Page 14 a the stars and Stripe Fri Dave