If someone you know decided that country ham gift boxes were the perfect option to celebrate your birthday or a holiday and you’ve never cooked one before, you might be wondering how to turn that into a great meal. The good news is there are infinite ways to cook your country ham, so even if they sent you several pieces of country ham, you won’t run out of options. Here are a few to get you started:
- Boiled country ham- This method can be utilized with just about any cut of country ham. It doesn’t get any simpler than popping your country ham into a pot with a cover that is large enough to hold the ham, covering it with water, and heating it to simmer. You don’t want to boil it, though (despite the name). Just a nice simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes per pound will do it. You can add whatever flavors you like, but our favorites are either a cup of molasses or a combination of 1 cup each of vinegar and brown sugar. We’ve heard of folks using apple juice or even cola, too.
- Baked country ham- If you like the idea of a succulent country ham, consider baking it with a delicious glaze. You can also retrieve your boiled country ham from the water, add a glaze, and bake it for a few minutes. You can use just about anything you want to glaze your ham. Some popular choices include honey mixed with orange juice, pineapple and brown sugar, and cranberry jelly with brown sugar. Some people add a bunch of water to the pot when baking their country ham to have plenty of juices for making redeye gravy, but that’s up to you. You can also bake country ham slices but wrap them up in foil to retain those delicious juices.
- Fried country ham slices- If you have some nice, thick slices, you can fry them up either quickly in a hot, heavy skillet or treat them to a slow fry on low heat. The latter is done with the lid on so that some liquid is expelled that makes a great redeye gravy. Just pull out the ham and keep it warm while adding a bit of water to the juices and stirring until it takes on a reddish color. Oh, yum! Pour that gravy over the country ham, a few handmade biscuits (or store bought if you prefer), and some mashed potatoes, and you have a meal fit for royalty!
- Grilled country ham slices- The country ham can come out a bit saltier this way, but give it a try and see what you think. Just be careful because if you leave them on the grill too long, they’ll get a bit chewy.
Didn’t get a country ham gift box? No problem! Find Hobe’s Country Ham at your local retailer and grab some options that give you ample opportunities to try new ways to cook country ham and make a delicious meal.