Glazed Gammon Food

HONEY-GLAZED GAMMON

Steps:

• Place the gammon joint into a large lidded saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil over a high heat. Drain the water from the saucepan, add fresh cold water, the onions, carrots, celery, bay and peppercorns and bring to the boil once more. Reduce the heat, cover with a lid and simmer the gammon and vegetables gently for 20 minutes per 500g/1lb 2oz. (If your pan is not quite large enough to cover the joint completely, turn the gammon over halfway through the cooking time.)
• Remove the gammon from the water and set aside to cool for 15 minutes. (The cooking liquid can be strained and reserved for making soup for another time.)
• Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6 and line a large roasting tin with kitchen foil.
• Use a small knife to remove the rind from the gammon joint, leaving as much of the fat intact as possible. Score the fat in a diamond pattern, and push a clove into the centre of each 'X'.
• Place the gammon into the foil-lined roasting tray, ensuring that the sides of the foil come halfway up the joint to contain any roasting juices.
• For the glaze, mix the honey and mustard together and brush half of it evenly over the gammon, including one side of the joint. Roast in the centre of the oven for 10 minutes, then take the joint out and brush the top and remaining side with the rest of the glaze. Return the gammon to the oven for a further 10- 15 minutes, rotating the tin so that the opposite side of the gammon faces the back of the oven.
• The gammon is ready when the fat on top is glossy and golden brown. Cover loosely with foil if the top begins to look too brown. Remove the gammon from the oven and set aside to rest for 15 minutes before carving.
• Pour any juices that have collected in the kitchen foil into a small pan, and warm through gently.
• Carve the gammon, serve on a large platter and spoon over the warmed juices .

PERFECT GLAZED HAM

Steps:

• Dry a bone-in, fully cooked half ham (do not use a country ham) and bring to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Trim the ham skin, leaving the fat intact. Score the fat in a crosshatch pattern, making the cuts about 3/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart. Put the ham flat-side down on a rack in a roasting pan; add 1 cup water. Bake on the lowest oven rack, 40 minutes, adding more water if the pan gets dry. Meanwhile, make the glaze: Whisk 1 cup jam or marmalade with 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 cup dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce. Brush the ham with half of the glaze; cover loosely with foil and bake 45 more minutes. Brush with the remaining glaze and bake, uncovered, until the glaze is browned, 40 to 50 more minutes. Let rest 15 minutes before carving.
• Don't toss your ham bone! Add it to simmering soups, beans or braised greens for extra flavor.
• Give your ham a great crunch: Sprinkle one of the below mixes onto the glaze before the last 40 to 50 minutes of cooking.
• Spring Herb Mix 1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), 3 tablespoons each chopped parsley and chives, and the grated zest of 1 lemon.
• Cornmeal-Thyme Crush 1 cup cornbread stuffing mix; toss with 2 tablespoons chopped thyme, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander and 1/2 cup cornmeal.
• Spicy Sourdough Grind 3 cups cubed sourdough bread in a food processor; toss with 1 tablespoon chili powder and 1 bunch chopped scallions.

GLAZED GAMMON

Steps:

• Put the gammon in a large, deep saucepan. Add the tied herbs, onion, carrots, celery, peppercorns and cloves. Pour over enough cold water to cover the meat, then bring to the boil, cover with a lid, and lower to a gentle simmer for 1 hr 15 mins. Turn off the heat and leave the ham to sit in the liquid for 30 mins.
• Remove from the liquid (this makes a delicious soup stock) and leave to cool until cold enough to handle. Peel off the thick layer of skin on the gammon to reveal a layer of fat. Discard the skin and score the fat in a criss-cross pattern with a sharp knife.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the ham in a roasting tray lined with foil. Mix together the mustard, honey and sugar in a bowl, then generously brush half over the ham. Roast for 15 mins, then brush with the remaining glaze. Return to the oven for a further 20-30 mins or until sticky and brown. Leave to cool for 15 mins before carving into thick slices.

PINEAPPLE & CHILLI GLAZED GAMMON

Steps:

• Put the gammon in a large pan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and skim any foam from the surface, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 2 hrs. Leave to cool in the liquid in the pan for 30 mins.
• Meanwhile, make the glaze. Tip all the ingredients into a pan and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and bubble for 10-12 mins, or until just syrupy. Drain the gammon (you can reserve the liquid for stock). The gammon and glaze can be prepared and chilled up to one day ahead.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Sit the gammon on a board and, using a sharp knife, cut away the skin, making sure you leave a good layer of fat. Score lines all over the fat. Transfer to a roasting tin and roast for 10 mins, then pour over some glaze. Continue to roast, basting with more glaze every 5-10 mins, until the gammon is sticky, about 40 mins. Don't worry if the ends get a little dark, as this adds flavour.
• Remove from the oven and rest for 15 mins. Carve and serve.