Description
Cider-braised gammon dances with rich flavors, creating a stunning centerpiece for family gatherings. Honey’s sweet embrace and tender meat promise a memorable meal that will delight you at first bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) gammon joint
Braising Liquid:
- 500 milliliters (2 cups) apple cider
- 2 onions
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
Glaze Ingredients:
- 100 milliliters (3.4 fluid ounces) honey
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Cleanse the gammon thoroughly, dabbing it dry with kitchen towels to create an ideal seasoning surface.
- Nestle the gammon in a robust cooking vessel, surrounding it with roughly chopped aromatics like onions, crushed garlic, fragrant bay leaves, a cinnamon stick, and peppercorns.
- Cascade apple cider over the meat, ensuring the liquid reaches midway up the gammon, establishing a rich braising foundation.
- Seal the pot with a snug lid and gently simmer at 160°C for 2 hours, allowing the meat to tenderize and absorb the complex flavor profile.
- Craft the glaze by vigorously blending honey, dijon mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and ground cloves in a compact saucepan.
- Extract the gammon from its aromatic bath and transfer to a parchment-lined roasting tray with careful precision.
- Lavishly coat the entire gammon surface with the prepared glaze, ensuring comprehensive and uniform coverage.
- Crank the oven temperature to 200°C and return the glazed meat, allowing 15-20 minutes for caramelization and development of a glistening exterior.
- Once emerged from the oven, allow the gammon a 15-minute rest period, permitting internal juices to redistribute and enhance overall succulence.
- Carve into elegant slices and present warm, drizzling any residual glaze for an additional flavor dimension.
Notes
- Select a high-quality, unsmoked gammon joint for the most tender and flavorful result.
- Avoid over-salting the meat, as gammon is naturally salty; consider soaking in water for an hour before cooking to reduce saltiness.
- Create a gluten-free version by using certified gluten-free mustard and checking all ingredient labels carefully.
- Swap apple cider with apple juice for a non-alcoholic alternative that maintains the rich, fruity undertones of the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg