I've Come for the Ham Down Under!

Ham is a popular holiday staple in the "land down under," and of course, BBQ or "barbie" sauce is a regular part of many a gala celebration. Here I've created a base of Australian "damper bread," topped it with my Vegemite Ketchup (or barbie sauce), a hot slice of ham, and a cherry for good measure. Let's party! 🇦🇺 🎉 🇦🇺

This recipe is a Good Day DC (and now website) exclusive. You won't see it in my best-selling cookbook but there are dozens of other tempting appetizer recipes to choose from!

Ham Down Under on Rosemary Damper Bread

with Vegemite Ketchup

Makes 12 to 16 canapés

1 to 1 1/2 pound ham steak

For the Vegemite Ketchup, or "Barbie" Sauce (makes just shy of 2 cups)

1/2 cup tomato purée

1/2 cup orange juice

6 ounces tomato paste

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon Vegemite

1 tablespoon Worcestershire

1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon minced garlic

In medium pot over medium heat, combine all ingredients, whisk together thoroughly. Bring to a simmer, cover to prevent splattering, cook another 10 minutes, reducing heat to low as necessary. Cool in airtight container in fridge for a few hours. Reheat if desired to top the Rosemary Damper Bread for the Ham Down Under.

For the Rosemary Damper Bread:

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon fine salt

1/2 stick butter (4 tablespoons), cold, cut in small pieces

1/3 cup milk

1/3 cup water

Fresh rosemary leaves

Heat oven to 350°F.

In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt.

With fingers, thoroughly combine butter and flour till sandy.

Add milk and water, form dough. Knead in the rosemary leaves.

On parchment-lined baking sheet, make a "loaf" that's wide and flat and similar in shape to your ham steak.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes till golden around edges.

Cut bread into 1 to 2 inch 'rounds'. Cut ham into slightly smaller pieces that fit atop bread, sear ham in a pan with a bit of oil on the stove, or pop it in the microwave. Spread each bread base with Vegemite Ketchup, top with ham, spear with toothpick and maraschino cherry. That's the Ham Down Under!

🇦🇺 🎉 🇦🇺 🇦🇺 🎉 🇦🇺

Now let's all sing along! (Number one song in USA January 1983).

🇦🇺 🎉 🇦🇺 🇦🇺 🎉 🇦🇺