Boiling Ham Fat: The Ultimate Guide To Head Cheese

Boiling ham is a great way to prepare a tasty meal with minimal effort. The process is simple: place the ham in a pot, cover with water, and simmer. This method is suitable for special occasions and feeding a crowd, as it is easy to execute and always works. The ham will be fall-off-the-bone tender and juicy, with the added benefit of creating flavourful leftovers and broth for soup.

The key to success is ensuring the ham is fully submerged and cooking it for long enough. A general rule of thumb is to boil for 15-20 minutes per pound of meat, or until the ham easily separates from the bone. For a bone-in ham, this will take around two hours.

Now, let's talk about ham fat and head cheese. Ham fat can be used to add flavour to dishes, and boiling is a great way to render it. Head cheese, meanwhile, is a type of meat jelly that can be made by boiling ham hocks or other fatty cuts of meat. The meat is then shredded and mixed with the broth, which will set as it cools. So, if you're looking to make head cheese, you'll need to boil your ham fat until the meat is tender and can be easily pulled from the bone. This will likely take a couple of hours, depending on the size of your cut.

How to boil a ham

Boiling ham is a great way to prepare a delicious meal for a crowd, and it's easy to do! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to boil a ham:

Choose the Right Ham:

Select a bone-in smoked whole ham. Avoid spiral, deli, lunchmeat, or boneless hams. A picnic ham or country ham will also work. Ensure the ham is fully cooked before boiling.

Prepare the Ham:

Using a sharp knife, poke 10-15 holes in the ham, poking all the way to the bone. Do not remove the skin or fat, as this adds flavour during cooking.

Gather Your Equipment and Ingredients:

You will need a pot large enough to completely submerge the ham in water with some room for boiling. A 16-quart stock pot is a good size. You can also add spices, vegetables, or other flavourings to the water if desired, but it is not necessary as the ham is already flavourful.

Boil the Ham:

Place the ham in the pot and cover it with cold water, ensuring the ham is fully submerged. Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a boil over medium heat. This should take about an hour. Once the water is boiling, continue boiling for half an hour, then flip the ham so the small end is down and boil for another half hour. In total, you should boil the ham for about an hour and bring it to a boil for an hour, resulting in two hours of total cooking time.

Cool the Ham:

After boiling, remove the pot from the heat and let the ham cool in the water. To speed up the cooling process, place the pot in a sink, add cold water, and surround it with ice cubes. Once the ham and water are completely cooled, you can store the ham in the refrigerator until ready to serve. It is best to let the ham sit in the cold water for at least overnight or up to 24 hours.

Serve the Ham:

When ready to serve, remove the ham from the water and place it on a cutting board. Boiled ham is typically served cold, but if you prefer it warm, you can leave it in the water. Remove the skin and fat from the ham, then slice it to your desired thickness and place it on a serving tray. Enjoy!

Store Leftovers:

If you have any leftover ham, you can store it in the refrigerator. Place the ham back in the cold ham water and keep it there for up to three days. After that, remove the ham from the water, slice or shred the meat, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to six days.

How to prepare the ham for boiling

Preparing a ham for boiling is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare your ham for boiling:

Choosing the Right Ham:

• Opt for a bone-in ham, such as a picnic ham, country ham, or any dry-cured bone-in cuts.
• Avoid using boneless hams as they tend to be leaner and may not yield the same tender results.
• Look for fully cooked, bone-in smoked whole hams. These are readily available at most grocery stores.

Preparing the Ham:

• Ensure you have a large pot or stockpot that is big enough to fit the ham comfortably. The ham should not touch the sides of the pot.
• Place the unwrapped ham in the pot with the large piece facing the bottom.
• Do not remove the skin or fat from the ham before boiling. These add flavour to the water and the ham during cooking.
• Using a sharp knife, poke holes in the ham all the way to the bone. Aim for about 10-15 holes.
• Cover the ham with cold water, leaving enough room for the boiling process.

Boiling the Ham:

• Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and bring the water to a boil. This may take about an hour.
• Once the water reaches a boil, continue boiling for half an hour.
• Flip the ham so that the small end is down and the large end is up. Boil for another half hour.
• In total, you should boil the ham for about an hour.
• Remove the pot from the heat and let the ham cool in the water.
• To quickly cool the ham, place the pot in a sink, add cold water around it, and surround it with ice cubes.
• Once the ham is completely cooled, you can store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Serving the Ham:

• Remove the ham from the water and place it on a cutting board.
• Use a carving knife to remove the skin and fat from the ham.
• Leave the meat on the bone for easier slicing.
• Carefully slice the ham to your desired thickness and place it on a serving tray.
• Boiled ham is best served cold, but if you prefer it warm, you can leave it in the water until serving.

How long to boil the ham

Boiling ham is a great way to heat it up before serving. This method keeps the moisture in the ham, ensuring it is tender and juicy. It is also a healthy cooking method as no fat is added during the process.

There are a few things to consider when boiling ham. Firstly, it is recommended to use a bone-in ham as this will keep the meat tender. Secondly, boiling a fully cooked ham will remove some of the salt, but the ham will still have a great flavour. If your ham is very salty, you can reduce the salt content by bringing the water to a boil and then discarding it before refilling the pot with fresh water or stock.

Now, for the all-important question: how long should you boil the ham? A good rule of thumb is to boil the ham for 15 minutes per pound at a low temperature or simmer. This should take around 20 to 25 minutes per pound after the water starts simmering. For a 7-pound ham, this will take around 2 hours of total cooking time (1 hour to bring the water to a boil and 1 hour of boiling time). You can also check if the ham is done by using a meat thermometer – the internal temperature should be 135°F or 155°F. Another indication that the ham is done is when the meat starts to separate from the bone and shows little resistance when stuck with a knife.

Once the ham is done, remove it from the heat and let it cool in the cooking liquid for several hours. This will help keep the ham moist and juicy. Then, remove the ham from the liquid, trim the fat, and it's ready to serve!

How to make the ham fat into head cheese

Making head cheese out of ham fat is a great way to use up leftovers and create a delicious dish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the ham fat into head cheese:

Ingredients:

• Ham fat and skin
• Spices (such as bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon sticks)
• Water or broth
• Vegetables (optional)
• Fruit juices (optional)

Step 1: Prepare the Ham Fat

Start by collecting the ham fat and skin leftovers from your previous ham meal. You can also purchase ham fat from a butcher or grocery store if you don't have enough.

Step 2: Boil the Ham Fat

Place the ham fat and skin in a large pot and cover it with water or broth. You can also add spices, vegetables, and fruit juices to the pot for extra flavor. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.

Step 3: Cook Until Tender

Let the ham fat simmer until it becomes tender and melts easily in your mouth. This usually takes around 15-20 minutes per pound of ham fat. You can also check the doneness by inserting a knife into the fat; if it shows little resistance, it's ready.

Step 4: Cool and Remove Fat

Once the ham fat is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it cool down in the cooking liquid. This will help retain moisture and flavor. Then, take the fat out of the liquid and trim it to your desired thickness, leaving about a 1/4-inch layer of fat.

Step 5: Glaze and Bake (Optional)

If you want to add a glaze to your head cheese, score the fat and apply your favorite glaze. Preheat your oven to 375° F to 400° F and bake the glazed head cheese for about 15 minutes or until the glaze is nicely browned.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Finally, let the head cheese cool slightly before slicing and serving. You can serve it warm or cold, depending on your preference. Enjoy the delicious, flavorful head cheese as a snack or use it in sandwiches, salads, or other recipes.

What to serve with boiled ham

When it comes to serving boiled ham, there are numerous side dishes that can complement the meal. Here are some ideas to make your boiled ham dinner a success:

Vegetables and Salads

Boiled ham goes well with a variety of vegetables, including scalloped potatoes, beans, cabbage, greens, and root vegetables such as carrots, onions, and rutabagas. If you're looking for something more refreshing, consider serving it with a salad, such as a layered salad or a broccoli salad. You can also serve grilled Caesar salad or a unique twist on the classic, such as a grilled Caesar salad.

Breads and Sandwiches

Hard rolls or bread are excellent accompaniments to boiled ham, especially if you're planning on making sandwiches. You can also serve soft dinner rolls or warm buttermilk biscuits to complete the meal.

Sauces and Condiments

To enhance the flavour of the boiled ham, consider serving it with a variety of sauces and condiments. Parsley sauce, honey mustard, or applesauce are all excellent choices. You can also offer condiments such as mustard or mayonnaise, with a twist of wasabi paste or tarragon mustard.

Soups

If you want to start your meal with a soup, consider a light and refreshing option such as celeriac soup. This will complement the heartiness of the boiled ham without overwhelming the palate.

Desserts

While not a side dish, don't forget to consider a delicious dessert to round off your meal. Baked shallots stuffed with ham and cheese, such as Tunworth, Camembert, or Taleggio, make for a savoury end to the meal. Alternatively, a sweet option such as pears cooked in honey and served alongside the ham can be a delightful conclusion.

Frequently asked questions