Post Holiday Ham Stock Recipes

HOW TO MAKE HAM STOCK

Steps:

• Combine the ham bone or hock, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, parsley, peppercorns and bay leaf in a 6- to 8-quart pot. Cover with 3 quarts of cold water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Skim off any foamy bubbles from the surface. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for 3 hours. (You just want to see a few bubbles rise to the surface here and there.)
• Strain the stock through a fine-mesh strainer, then store in jars. The stock can be refrigerated for up to one week or stored in the freezer for up to three months.

POST-HOLIDAY HAM STOCK

Steps:

• Gently simmer ham bone with carrot, celery, onion, parsley, bay leaves, peppercorns, and water in a large pot for 2 hours. Let cool and strain, discarding the solids.

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.

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.

INSTANT POT™ HOLIDAY HAM

Steps:

• Spray 6-quart Instant Pot™ with cooking spray. Add broth to insert; place rack in bottom of insert. Make 12 thin cuts in ham, leaving bottom 1/2 inch uncut. Place ham, cut side up, on rack in insert.
• Secure lid; set pressure valve to SEALING. Select MANUAL; cook on high pressure 15 minutes. Select CANCEL. Set pressure valve to VENTING position to release pressure manually. Internal temperature in bottom center of ham (uncut portion) should be at least 140°F using instant-read thermometer. If ham is not done, select MANUAL, and cook on high pressure 3 minutes longer. Select CANCEL. Set pressure valve to VENTING position to release pressure manually.
• When cool enough to handle, carefully transfer ham to cutting board. Cut slices away from the ham.
• In small bowl, stir together melted butter, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and red pepper. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the cooking liquid. Serve ham with the butter sauce.