70 APRIL/MAY 2020 TASTEOFHOME.COM
TEST KITCHEN INSIDER
Sarah (^) F
armer, TOH Culin
ary
Di
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ASK
SARAH
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN
BUYING A HAM THIS EASTER?
Ham comes in three styles:
fresh, country and city. Fresh
(uncured, uncooked) and country
hams (dry cured, uncooked) are
harder to find. City hams (cured
in saltwater and usually cooked)
are the easiest to find and prep.
Let’s take a look at the most
popular styles of city hams.
BONELESS
Flavor
On the milder side.
When choosing a boneless
ham, note the water content
on the label. If it reads “water
added,” the flavor will be
milder. Look for “ham with
natural juices”on the label for
a more robust ham flavor.
Carving Skill Level
Super simple! There’s no bone
to maneuver around, so carving
is as simple as slicing bread.
Affordability
Boneless hams tend to be
easier on the wallet than
purchasing bone-in.
How much to buy?
Plan for ½ pound of
boneless ham per person.
SPIRAL HAM
Generations of meat carvers have struggled to carve ham around the
bone. But in the 1940s, all that changed when Harry Hoenselaar
invented the spiral-slicing machine. It holds ham while an oscillating
blade makes thin cuts into the meat around the bone. Now, spiral
ham—precooked, precut city ham—is a heat-and-serve Easter classic.
BONE-IN
Flavor
Rich and hammy.
BONUS: Leftover ham bones
boost flavor in soups,
cooked greens and more!
Carving Skill Level
Depends on whether you
choose shank or butt cut.
Shank vs. Butt Cut
Shank cuts have one bone to carve
around—pretty simple—and the
meat is fairly lean. Butt cuts have
an angled bone, but carving isn’t
too tricky. This meat is more tender
and fattier, lending a richer flavor.
Affordability
A bit pricier than boneless.
How much to buy?
Plan for ¾ to 1 pound
per person.
Cherry-Almond
Ham Glaze
In a saucepan, combine one 12-oz. jar
cherry preserves, ¹ ₄ cup vinegar,
2 Tbsp. corn syrup and ¹ ₄ tsp. each
cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer
for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Stir in ¹ ₃ cup slivered almonds.
2 TBSP. 98 cal., 2g fat (0 sat. fat),
0 chol., 4mg sod., 22g carb.
(19g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g pro.
Makes 12 servings.
—Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, KY
HOW TO CHOOSE A CITY HAM
Whether you go boneless or bone-in, watch the label for “Ham,” “Ham
with natural juices,” “Ham, water added” or “Ham and water product.”
Hams with less water have a stronger flavor and more natural texture.
Turn lef tover
ham into two
more yummy
dinners later!
RECIPES P.28