Corn Bread Shortcake with Ham and Fresh Peach Salsa

This dish features the down-home flavors of corn bread, smoked ham, and peaches. The dressy presentation lends itself to a memorable summer dinner. You can also try this versatile salsa with grilled pork tenderloin or duck breast

Yield 9 servings

Ingredients

• Salsa:
• 3 cups diced peeled peaches
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 3 tablespoons minced shallots
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 
  Shortcake:
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 ounces)
• 1 1/4 cups cornmeal
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups low-fat buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 large egg
• Cooking spray
• 
  Remaining ingredients:
• 9 (1 1/2-ounce) slices 33%-less-sodium smoked ham
• Cilantro sprigs (optional)

Preparation

To prepare salsa, combine the first 9 ingredients in a bowl, and toss gently. Cover and chill for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 425°.

To prepare shortcake, lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (through salt), stirring well with a whisk. Make a well in center of mixture. Combine buttermilk, oil, and egg in a bowl; add to flour mixture. Stir just until moist. Spoon batter into an 8-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes on a wire rack. Turn shortcake out onto a cutting board or work surface; cut into 9 equal pieces.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add ham to pan, and sauté 1 minute on each side or until lightly browned. Remove from heat; keep warm.

Cut shortcake pieces in half horizontally. Place 1 bottom half on each of 9 plates; top each serving with 1 tablespoon salsa, 1 ham slice, and top half of shortcake. Top each serving with 2 tablespoons salsa. Garnish with cilantro sprigs, if desired.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 264 (27% from fat)

Fat: 7.8g (sat 1.8g,mono 3.8g,poly 1.6g)

Protein: 12g

Carbohydrate: 37.3g

Fiber: 2.7g

Cholesterol: 51mg

Iron: 1.4mg

Sodium: 679mg

Calcium: 98mg

Cynthia Nicholson, Cooking Light, JUNE 2006