Ham Broth Recipes

HAM BROTH

Steps:

• Add all ingredients plus 4 quarts of water to a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then let simmer 2 hours. Skim fat from the surface, and add more water as needed. The less water in the stock, the more concentrated the flavor.
• After 2 hours, strain bone and vegetables out of the stock. Use immediately or refrigerate or freeze stock.

NORTHUMBERLAND HAM BROTH

Steps:

• If the ham is salty leave it to soak overnight. You may also want to soak the split peas.
• Put the ham in a pan and cover with water. You will need about 3 litres
• Bring the ham to the boil and simmer for around three hours until tender.
• Remove the ham from the water, shred the meat and put back in the pan
• Peel the turnip and carrots and grate into the pan.
• Grate the leek and add to the pan with the lentils and split peas
• Bring the soup back to the boil and simmer until the vegetables are soft, around 30 minutes

HAM BROTH, SLOW COOKER

Steps:

• The day before you want to use this: in a 6-quart slow cooker combine water, ham hocks, carrots, celery, onion, thyme, bay leaves, and garlic. Cover and cook on high-heat setting for 4 to 6 hours.
• Remove the hocks.
• Remove meat from the pork hocks; coarsely chop (you should have about 2 cups) and set aside.
• Discard bones.
• Line a large sieve with a double thickness of 100-percent-cotton cheesecloth; strain broth through sieve.
• Discard solids.
• Cover and chill broth and meat until ready to use.
• If necessary, before using, spoon off and discard any solidified fat from the top of broth.
• If necessary, add enough water to broth to make 10 cups total liquid.

HAM STOCK

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a large dutch oven.
• Cover and simmer 30 to 40 minutes.
• Strain broth and discard residue.
• Cool and skim off fat.
• Cover and store in refrigerator or freeze for future use.

HAM SHANK BROTH

Steps:

• Soak the ham shank in cold water overnight, then drain. The next day, pour hot water from the kettle over the ham to scald it. Discard the water.
• Put the ham in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil, then simmer the ham for 2-3 hrs until very tender.
• When the meat is almost cooked, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and cook the onion over a medium heat for 6-8 mins, or until softened. Add the leeks, carrots, swede, celery, potatoes and dried herbs, if using. (If using fresh, don't add at this stage.) Pour in more cold water to just cover the veg. Season. Bring to the boil over a medium-high heat and cook for 15-20 mins until softened. Meanwhile, put the barley in another saucepan and cover with boiled water from the kettle. Boil for 8-10 mins over a medium heat until starting to soften. Drain. Set aside.
• When the ham is cooked, drain the liquid, saving one cupful. Trim the fat from the ham and slice the meat into large chunks. Add the meat to the pan of vegetables and pour in a little of the reserved stock, but not too much, as it will be salty. Top up with enough cold water to cover everything and bring to a simmer.
• Add the barley and lentils and cook for 20-25 mins until tender. Around 5 mins before the end of cooking, add the peas and the fresh herbs, if using. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Serve with steamed cabbage and crusty white bread, if you like.