When we first got married, my wife and I made a deal to try to eat a balanced diet. We started out by learning about the food labels on all our favorite foods, and we learned that some foods have a lot of added sugar, and that sugar is bad for us. We learned that some ingredients are high in calories but not in nutrients, like high fructose corn syrup. And we learned that many foods have more calories than we thought, and that we should count everything when making a meal. We decided that we would try never to make a meal with less than five ingredients.
Ham is a type of meat that makes an appearance on Thanksgiving tables around the world. It’s called ham because of the word “ham” (or “hamm”) which was a term used to refer to bacon in Old English. But while the term “ham” has been around since the tenth century, the word “bacon” is not quite as old.
When I was a child, my father grew and cured his own ham. I remember him bringing it home in a large cooler container, and this was something that we never ran out of. There was always some ham in the house. It was very important to us.. Read more about ham recipes easy and let us know what you think.
A Quick Look
Ham is pork that has been cured, usually from the pig’s rear leg. Salting, smoking, and brining are all ways of curing. The hue of ham ranges from pink to reddish, with white fat streaks that vary in quantity and distribution according on the type. It has a delicate, velvety texture and a strong salty, meaty, somewhat smokey flavor. Although ham is abundant in protein, zinc, and selenium, it is also high in salt. Westfalian ham in Germany, York ham in the United Kingdom, Smithfield ham in the United States, Prosciutto in Italy, Anfu ham in China, and other regional specialities are all popular. The most contentious component of ham is sodium nitrate, which may be converted to nitrosamines during manufacturing, storage, or cooking, and nitrosamines have been associated to an increased risk of cancer. As a result, ham should be reserved for exceptional occasions, maybe wrapped around a fresh slice of melon.
Overview
Ham is pork that has been cured, usually from the pig’s rear leg. It may also be prepared with boar or bear meat, but this is less frequent.
Ham has been around since the Roman era, but it was formerly exclusively given to nobility or on extremely rare occasions. It would not have been discovered floating in a bowl of split pea soup by a commoner.
Ham is now eaten all throughout the globe, and it is now accessible to non-royalty! Westfalian ham is made in Germany, York ham is made in the United Kingdom, Smithfield ham is made in the United States, Prosciutto is made in Italy, Anfu ham is made in China, and so on.
Making ham the traditional way would take weeks. The ham would be brined for many weeks before being slow cooked for several hours with genuine smoke.
It just takes a few days with modern techniques. Instead of steeping the ham in a brine solution, manufacturers inject it with water, salt, sugar, spices, sodium phosphate, sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrate to speed up the brining process. The sodium phosphate improves the retention of the brine solution and tenderizes the meat; the sodium nitrate helps maintain the pink hue of the ham while also inhibiting bacterial development; and the sodium erythorbate stabilizes the color.
The most contentious component of ham is sodium nitrate, which may be converted to nitrosamines during manufacturing, storage, or cooking, and nitrosamines have been associated to an increased risk of cancer. As a result, ham is best enjoyed as a rare treat.
Identification
Ham is available in a variety of forms, including ready-to-eat, fresh, and cured.
Ready-to-serve Steamed, boiled, or smoked ham has been soaked in (or, more frequently in contemporary food manufacturing, injected with) brine before being cooked completely. Depending on the ham type and desired taste, the ham may be smoked or seasoned further to make the final product even more soft and delicious.
Fresh ham has been pre-cooked for just long enough to kill any dangerous germs. It must, however, be cooked longer before being consumed.
Cured ham is sprinkled liberally with salt before being dried. It’s ready to consume right away.
Ham is available as a complete bone-in leg, a half bone-in leg, or sliced in a variety of ways. The hue ranges from pink to reddish, with white fat streaks that vary in quantity and location according on the type. It has a delicate, velvety texture and a strong salty, meaty, somewhat smokey flavor.
Specialty types of ham may be recognized by their labels. The word “ham,” as well as any geographically unique designations, is tightly regulated in many countries. In the United States, for example, ham may only refer to meat from the pig’s hind leg, and Smithfield ham must originate from a certain area of Virginia or North Carolina, and must be cured in a specified way.
To put it another way, ham may be finicky.
Nutritional Information
A 3.5 ounce (100g) portion of ham has 133 calories, 17 grams of protein, 6 grams of fat (2 grams of saturated fat), and 1 gram of carbs. (Of course, these figures may vary depending on the kind and fat level of the ham you choose.)
Zinc and selenium are abundant in ham.
Ham, like other processed meats, is rich in salt, with a single serving providing half of your daily allowance. It also contains a lot of cholesterol.
The majority of current curing techniques include the addition of nitrites to the salt. Nitrites inhibit the development of germs, enhance taste, and give ham its attractive pink or reddish hue. However, nitrites may be harmful in high doses, and eating processed meat regularly has been related to cancer. As a result, it’s generally advisable to restrict your ham intake (and other processed meats).
Selection
Ham is accessible all year. For the freshest goods, look for firm, finely grained pink flesh and check the best-before dates on the labels.
Check the labels or contact your butcher if you’re searching for a particular kind of ham.
Storage
Cured hams may be stored for a few months in a cool, dry location. However, the majority of individuals store ham in the refrigerator. Fresh or ready-to-serve ham must be kept chilled.
Sliced ham will last a bit longer than a full or half leg. Refrigerate sliced ham in its original packaging for up to a week.
Preparation
In most instances, ham doesn’t need to be cooked; just slice it and serve. The lone exception is fresh ham, which requires further cooking before consumption. (Instructions are provided below.)
All types of ham, however, may be roasted, fried, or grilled if desired. This may improve the texture and taste of the finished product by caramelizing and crisping it. Ham may also be used as a flavoring ingredient in other recipes, similar to how bacon is used. It’s possible that this is one of the safest ways to eat ham.
Ham goes nicely with a variety of tastes. Fruits like apples, melons, pineapple, and cranberries go well with it. BBQ sauce, soy sauce, mustard, horseradish; maple syrup, brown sugar, honey; and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, asparagus, lentils, and many more.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit for a 5 pound ham. Using foil, line a baking pan. Insert cloves (or garlic cloves) into the scored areas of the meat. Melt 2/3 cup butter, 2 cups honey, and 14 cup maple syrup on the stovetop. This glaze should be applied to the meat. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, basting once or twice throughout the cooking time. Turn on the broiler for the final five minutes of cooking to caramelize the glaze. Allow 5 to 10 minutes for the meat to rest before serving.
Making a dijon mustard and honey paste is another alternative. Paint your ham with this paste and cook as directed, basting every 20 minutes with additional paste.
Miso Soup With Ham (Recipe)
Have you ever tried miso soup with ham? You’re missing out if you haven’t already. The marinated ham in this dish gives the miso soup an additional kick of flavor. It’s an absolute must-try!
Ingredients
White miso paste is used as a marinade. 3 tablespoons of fish sauce 10 tblsp soy sauce sesame oil, 2 tbsp 1/2 garlic, minced and pasted, 2 splashes orange juice 1 sriracha sauce clove (optional — add if you like a little heat) to savour season with freshly ground pepper to taste Legs of ham 2 oz. Soup made with olive oil 1 tbsp minced onion 1 garlic clove, minced or sliced 4 white miso paste cloves 8 tablespoons 1 tablespoon of soy sauce sauce de poisson a few of dashes stock made from vegetables or chicken thyme, 4 to 6 cups a single spring Optional garnishes: red chilies a handful of sesame seeds a sprinkling of onions, sliced a scattering of softly cooked eggs (1 per soup bowl) 4
Directions
Time to Prepare: 30 minutes Time to cook: 300 minutes Soup yield: 4 bowls
For the marinade, combine the following ingredients.
To make a loose paste, combine all of the marinade ingredients. If necessary, add as much orange juice as you want to loosen the mixture.
For the ham, prepare as follows:
It’s best if the ham comes from a piglet’s fresh leg. This may be tough to come by, but this recipe can be adapted to other pig products, such as leaner roasts. It is your choice whether or not to retain the skin on a ham leg purchased from a butcher. If you want the skin removed, have the butcher do it for you. Alternatively, you may cook the ham with the skin on and easily remove it afterward.
Place the ham leg in a bag with the marinade. Inside the bag, massage the ham. Refrigerate the ham for at least one night.
1 hour before cooking, take the ham out of the fridge. Roast the ham leg for 3 to 4 hours at 250 degrees Fahrenheit, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. When the ham is done, increase the heat to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and roast for approximately 20 minutes, or until the outside is crispy and a beautiful deep brown.
To make the soup, use the following ingredients.
Prepare the soup while the ham is roasting.
Place a medium soup pot on a medium-high flame. Heat the oil until it is completely melted. Adjust the heat as required after adding the onions (you may need to lower the heat slightly if onions appear to be searing). Cook until the onions are transparent and a little brown. Combine the miso and onion in a mixing bowl. For a few minutes, caramelize the miso. In a separate bowl, combine the thyme and the stock. Mix the miso and liquid together with a whisk. Add the garlic, soy sauce, and fish sauce after that. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a low heat. Cook for 30 minutes to an hour, with the lid slightly ajar.
To put it together:
Take four soup dishes from the cabinet. Fill each dish halfway with broth, then top with sliced ham, your favorite toppings, and a soft cooked egg.
Serve right away.
Enjoy!
Book of Free Recipes
Every month, the Encyclopedia of Food grows as we include new delicacies and stunning food photography. Simply click this link to keep up with the latest news. Following that, we’ll give you a complimentary copy of our recipe book. We’ll also notify you when we introduce new and tasty items to the site.
For a free copy of the Encyclopedia of Food recipe book, go here.
Foods That Are Related
It can be quite easy to get overwhelmed when you are trying to lose weight, especially if you have tried dozens of diets before. We at the “listentomind” have made it our mission to help our readers with all their weight loss questions, and today, we would like to provide you with the following helpful information. Learn about the ideal weight loss and gain programs that can help you reach your goals, and keep you there.. Read more about baked ham recipes for dinner and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cook a precooked ham?
The best way to cook a precooked ham is to use the oven. Place the ham in a baking dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour or until fully cooked.
How do you make a good ham?
You need to cook it at a low temperature for a long time.
What is the best liquid to cook ham in?
The best liquid to cook ham in is water.
