Tips for Cooking a Roast Ham

We absolutely adore Roast Ham at Ross & Ross, even going so far as to creating a specific Glaze for it. So here's a few tips and tricks for how we make ours:

Tips for choosing the best piece of ham:

  • When choosing your ham, we recommend visiting your local butcher. They'll be able to point you in the direction of the best piece for roasting and advise you on how to prepare it.
  • A true ham includes the bone, but if you have fewer mouths to feed, a rolled piece of gammon is ideal. Smoked or unsmoked is a matter of personal preference!
  • Make sure that you keep the rind on and ask your butcher whether he recommends pre-soaking your ham, as it depends on the saltiness of the cure.

Tips for cooking the ham:

  • Place your ham in a large pan and cover completely with cold water.
  • Boil for 20 minutes per 500g, remembering to skim the white froth every now and again.
  • Alternatively, you may wish to cook your ham in a slow cooker. The method is the same, and the average ham will take around eight hours on low to cook through - check your instruction manual for my details, as temperatures vary.
  • You can infuse your ham with flavours as it cooks. Feel free to add orange peel, cinnamon, black peppercorns, star anise or your favourite aromatics to the boiling water.

The special final touch - Roast Ham Glaze:

Transform your ham into a glorious centrepiece with the help of our delicious Roast Ham Glaze. The sweetness of pineapple and red peppers are perfectly matched with the zing of habanero chillies to take your roast ham to the next level.

How to use the Roast Ham Glaze:

  • When ham is prepared, fire up your oven to 200 degrees Celsius and generously glaze your ham.
  • Pop it into the oven for 30 minutes, basting every ten minutes with the juices.

Not sure what to serve with your ham? You could break tradition and serve it up American-style with creamy mac and cheese and some greens, or whip up a traditional Parsley sauce. We love it sliced thickly in sandwiches with our favourite chutneys. 

For a fabulous chutney recipe, we suggest you try our Wonderful Winter Chutney Recipe or our own Onion & Ale Chutney and Smoked Apple Chutney.