COOKING HAM - I know there have been a few threads, but pls, just some advice

[ChristmasDisco]

Do you buy supermarket or butcher, and if you buy from butcher and you want something off the bone, what do you ask for? Also, I usually use quite a sweet baste for roasting (honey, marmalade and OJ) and DH really likes this but was thinking of something different but obviously don't have the time to do a trial run, so I see quite a few people have been using coke. What does this taste like?

How many hams does Nigella do?

blossomsmine......I use the same amount of liquid irrespective of size of joint but I may tone down some of the spices, iyswim (ie with the Aromatic Ham above, I cooked a 1.2 kg joint so used same amount of wine but reduced star anise to 1, and the aromatics were reduced to slightly below 1tbspn so as to not overpower the natural ham flavour).

Hassled.....if you wrap your ham in a foil "tent", it will keep in the fridge for a week (this is Saint Nigella's advice!). I cooked mine this evening. I usually panic and cook it last thing christmas eve - worrying about it spoiling - but tbh, we are still eating it a week later anyway and we have never had any ill effects .

Tinker - too bloody many for me to be able to make my mind up which to cook

right will someone tell me which is the best ham?

Mine, mine, mine. Actually, am having Ham Doubt now, they all sound gorgeous

I have to say, have never done the ham in coke thing......but would love to try it. However, if time is of the essence, I would recommend the aromatic christmas ham over the fully festive. Both are delicious but the aromatic is much more straightforward and less time consuming.

thanks

I did the ham in coke for a party on Saturday. Everyone raved... There were no leftovers for the children, who were v cross because they love it, so I am doing it again on Christmas Eve.
Do it, Twinset.

Ooh the decisions.

I know.... the decisions..... time is running out, still not decided, still haven't bought ham from butchers. Aargh. Bloody mumsnet moldie threads!

mrs js, what book is that in?

be careful, ye ladies of the ham... coke is nice but the stock is awful and you will feel bad at the waste. maybe with red wine though you'd still work some lentil soup out of it? (probably green rather than red, though, puy or somesuch)

The Festive Ham is in Feast and the Aromatic Ham is in Nigella Christmas.

Ok think we should try the ham in coke that lots are raving about but don't like the sound of treacle glaze. Will use mustard one instead methinks. Thanks so much.

I'll be sticking to my tried and tested version - it doesn't usually last too long

Boil the ham in a large pan - just water with pepper corns, large chunks of carrot, onion and celery - for about 1½ hours. Remove and cool.

Remove rind, score the fat and push in cloves at the points of the diamonds. mix together dark brown sugar, orange juice and honey (no measurements!!) then pour over the ham and put back in the oven for about 30-40 mins until the glaze has scorched a bit. Yum

i'll be doinig yours too. [soup]

Not sure if it's already been mentioned but ham in cherry coke is lovely too. Also Nigella mentions that you have to use the full sugar ones not diet ones.

Mmmm Aitch you're right, the stock makes fantastic soup.

Can you cook a ham in the slow cooker? What do you add to it? water? herbs?

I read (in another thread) that ham is absolutely delicious cooked in a slow-cooker with only a little bit of water added then slow-cooked about 4-5 hours. I've never done it this way though.

i have my stock, my god it's fabulous. and my ham is in the fridge all cloved and mustarded... cannot WAIT.

happy christmas ladies.