Diva’s Memories of Recipes Title: Baked Ham & Grandma's Ham Gravy with Mashed Potatoes
Inspiration:  My kids 'Grandma Pat' made ham gravy for the kids while they were growing up.  She has Alzheimer's and sadly her recipes are in her memories.... She didn't write anything down.   I am doing the gravy recipe from my memory, as she taught me years ago, so my children can make it and pass it down to their families.  It's just one of the many memories taken from my children and I want to make their taste buds remember the good times.  There is something about a smell or taste that transports us back to our childhood and makes us smile.
Ingredients: 1 4# Whole Smoked Cooked Ham 2 20 oz Slice Pineapple,    reserve juice 1 10 oz jar Maraschino Cherries, reserve liquid 1 12 oz can Ginger Ale Soda 1 stick salted butter 1 Cup brown sugar salt and pepper	10 Potatoes, boiled and mashed. (Reserve potato water for making gravy) Ham Gravy: 1 1/2 Cup drippings after ham is cooked 1/3 cup Flour or corn starch approx. 2/3 cup water/ or Potato water from you homemade mashed potatoes salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:  Collect the ingredients along w/toothpicks and 6-7 qt. Dutch Oven with lid.  Drain Pineapple and Cherries in a bowl and reserve liquids.  Line the bottom of the Dutch Oven with Pineapples. Remove wrapping from ham. Arrange and remaining pineapple and cherries on the top with toothpicks.  Pour on Ginger Ale, sprinkle with brown sugar, salt & pepper and lay a stick of butter on the top. Cover pot with lid or with foil and bake at 325 degrees for approximately 20 to 30 minutes per pound until heated through.  Remove lid and brush top with juices and bake additional 10 minutes. Arrange ham on a tray and reserve liquids from the bottom of the pan to make the gravy. Making the gravy:  I prefer to use corn starch for the ham gravy.  (If you do not cook the flour enough, it can taste raw so be patient.) I like to have close to 2 cups of liquid to start with.  Stir in corn starch and bring to a boil.  Continue stirring til thickened.  Add salt and pepper to taste and Enjoy! Variation: