Ham is a type of pork that has been cured and/or smoked. There are many different types of ham, including fresh ham, which is simply a raw pork leg, and cured ham, which has been treated with a mixture of salt, sugar, and other flavorings and then cooked or smoked. Some common types of cured ham include:
- Country ham: This type of ham is made from a hog’s hind leg and is cured using a dry rub of salt, sugar, and other seasonings. It is typically aged for several months before it is sliced and eaten.
- City ham: City ham is a term that is used to describe hams that have been brine-cured (soaked in a saltwater solution) and then cooked or smoked.
- Westphalian ham: This type of ham is made from the hind leg of a pig that has been fed a diet of acorns. It is cured using a mixture of salt, sugar, and other seasonings and then cold smoked over oak wood.
- Prosciutto: Prosciutto is an Italian cured ham that is made from the hind leg of a pig. It is salted and seasoned, then aged for several months before it is sliced and eaten.
Here is a simple recipe for preparing ham:
Ingredients:
- 1 ham
- 1 cup of water
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Place the ham in a roasting pan and add the water to the pan.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, honey, and mustard. Spread the mixture over the top of the ham.
- Cover the roasting pan with foil and bake the ham for about 20 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham registers 145°F (63°C).
- Remove the foil from the roasting pan and continue cooking the ham for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the glaze is caramelized.
- Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.