When it comes to Christmas I'm a bit of a traditionalist. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some baked gammon. I like mine glazed and this tangy marmalade glazed gammon is my current favourite. I've been making it for several years now and my guests love it too.
This year our Christmas dinner will consist of Turkey and all the trimmings including Cranberry Sauce. In addition, marmalade glazed gammon, and Christmas Pudding with Brandy Butter or custard. My sister-in-law and her family, as well as a couple of other friends will join us. I am also looking forward to having both my sons with us now that one has returned from a couple of years traveling. I find that a 1.5kg gammon joint is ideal. It's not too small that it becomes dry on baking, and not too large so that you have too much left over. I think it's an ideal size for an average family. Even though there will be about 10 of us for Christmas dinner, there will be plenty of turkey so we will not want too much.
Marmalade Glazed Gammon – A meal for any time of the year
Unlike turkey, which I tend to eat only at Christmas, marmalade glazed gammon is something that I will eat at any time of the year. It's delicious served warm from the oven with mashed potatoes and a green vegetable. It is also fabulous served cold with coleslaw (try my winter coleslaw it's delish) or baked beans and jacket potato. And of course it is divine in a sarnie made with good bread and a dollop of chutney or cranberry sauce.
Perfect Cooked Glazed Gammon
Over the years I have played around with how I cook my gammon and have settled on this way as my preferred method. Some recipes bake the gammon from beginning to end in the oven which, while ok for small joints, I find has a tendency to produce a rather dry joint. So I part cook my gammon by boiling it with a few aromatics. I make my own cider and so I usually boil the gammon in cider rather than water for added flavour (it also makes a nice stock for a risotto,so doesn't go to waste). You can use just water, or apple juice and water if you prefer.
Studding with Cloves
After the initial cooking I remove the skin, leaving a layer of fat. The fat is then scored in a diamond pattern and studded with cloves. I love the additional flavour the cloves give and they have the added advantage that they help stop the shreds of marmalade in the glaze from falling off.
The marmalade glaze
The glaze is very simple to make and is just a mixture of marmalade, a little honey, and some wholegrain mustard. This is then brushed over the gammon which is baked until golden, basting with any glaze that slips of the joint couple of times during cooking. Simple – Delicious!
Step by step
Marmalade Glazed Gammon
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg gammon joint
- 750 ml cider
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 cloves
- 6 black peppercorns
- 5 allspice berries optional
for the glaze
- handful of cloves
- 3 tablespoon marmalade
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard
Instructions
- Place the gammon in a large saucepan and cover with water, allow to soak for a few hours then drain. If time is short you can cover the gammon with water and bring to the boil, then drain.
- Once you have drained the gammon add the cider to the pan and add enough water to just cover the joint.
- Add the bayleaves, cloves, peppercorns and allspice berries (if using) to the pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
- Remove the gammon from the pan and allow to cool for about 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200℃/190℃ fan/gas mark 6. Line a roasting tin with a sheet of foil.
- Remove the rind from the gammon leaving as much fat in place as you can. Score the fat with a diamond pattern and insert cloves into the centre of each diamond. Place in the roasting tin.
- Mix together the marmalade, honey and mustard and brush the mixture over the top and sides of the gammon. Roast for 15 minutes.
- Carefully brush again with any of the glaze that has run down into the tin and scoop up any orange rind that may have slipped off, so that it sits on top of the joint. Return to the oven and roast for another for 15-20 minutes, Roast for another 5–10 minutes, until golden. Take care not to let it burn.
Notes
Nutrition
Cleaning up
The glaze can burn on the bottom of the tin. It will usually come off easily enough if you soak the tin for a few hours. But why not make it easier on yourself and line the tin with foil, which can be discarded. It certainly makes washing up easier and I am all for easy!
What will you be eating on Christmas day? Do let me know and tag me on Twitter (@jacdotbee), Instragram (@recipesmadeeasyblog), Facebook (@recipesmadeeasy), or hashtag #recipesmadeeasy if you post pictures of your festive cooking on any of the above. I would love to see what everyone is making.
Siobhan says
Made this ham several times over holidays - enjoyed by all - and EASY!!!!! - thank you Jacqui! Plus - an idea for next Xmas - might you do a Christmasmadeeasy for people like me ? I.e. a Christmas Day cook's countdown - when to prepare what and when to cook what ... would be your friend forever x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Glad you liked it Siobhan. The Christmas plan is something I would like to share, if I get my act together next year I will do. Now you have asked it's my duty to do my best to do it for you but feel free to remind me nearer the time:)