How to Make the Perfect Holiday Ham

Making a perfect ham in Christmas or any other vacations may seem difficult. However, it is actually simple and easy if you follow the steps properly. Instead of buying ham from a shop, you can bake your own ham at home and it will even cost you less. You can serve cold or bake and serve hot according to your preferences. In addition to this, you can even add your personal touch and flavour in the ham.

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Utensils: saucepan, utility knife

Ingredients:
country-cured or city ham, not pre-sliced: 1
Water
Seasonings to taste such as onions, bay leaves, allspice etc.

In case you are serving cold:
Bread crumbs, dried herbs, mustard powder (optional)
A chaud-froid sauce of your choice (optional)

Instructions

  • 1

    Soak the ham

    First you need to soak the ham in water. The water should be cold and you need to leave the ham for almost half or a full day. This is to lower the saltiness in the both kinds of ham. Drain the water after the prescribed time.

  • 2

    Simmer the ham

    You need to place the ham in a saucepan filled with cold water. Then boil it under warm heat for half an hour. This step will further reduce the saltiness from ham. Remember to clear the surface with a spoon in the step.

  • 3

    Add seasonings

    Take out the water and pour in freshwater. Then add seasonings such as onions, apples, wine, cider, cloves or allspice. You can add or remove according to your likes.

  • 4

    Simmer gently

    After replacing water, you need to simmer the ham for almost 20 minutes. The time will vary for the size of ham you are using.

  • 5

    Drain and remove the skin

    Next you need to take out all the water and peel off the skin of ham. In case you are baking, you need to save the liquid.

  • 6

    Serving cold

    In case you are serving the ham cold, you need to peel off fat from the ham. Remember that you can leave around half inch of fat according to your preferences.

    Next you need to score and bread the ham. You can also add herbs and mustard powder when breading. Coat it with a chaud-froid sauce which is one of the best toppings for ham. In the end, slice it and serve. You can decorate the ham before serving by placing them on a bed of greens, apples, pineapples etc.

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