I have an unsmoked English gammon joint which weighs around 2 kg . I have looked up in various cookery books the exact directions how to do this and so far I have got about 10 different ways! I would like to know if it weighs 2 kg say how many mins per kg or per 1lb do I simmer it for ? Then after the simmering I know I should leave it in the water till it goes cold then there are various things i can then do to it to put it in the oven with eiter honey and mustard or sugar an d mustard and then roast it for once again different times! Also there are different things to put in the water there are different liquids to cook it in whether it is cider, cocacola or water or even just apple juice! So in order to get this right I nead someone who does this regularly as they will know what works!! Please could any of you out there let me know how you cope with a gammon joint for the best flavour?

Nigella Lawson done a recipie where she cooked it in Coka Cola;


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Merv

Hi Rosey. I have cooked a gammon in Coca Cola following Nigella's recipe several times and it is very popular. Her recipe is for a 2 kg joint so it should be ideal for you.

I say it is very popular because that's the best way I can describe it as I don't eat meat myself. But those who have eaten this dish have requested it again so I reckon it is OK.

Don't worry too much about the soaking etc. Nigella doesn't seem to.

Good luck with your gammon, whatever you eventually decide to do with it.

I've tried the Nigella recipe (she's not the first to use coca cola with pork - I've seen an American chef do it as well) and it turned out really well. The substantial sugar content of the cola caramellises and makes a lovely sticky glaze, and the meat turns out really tender.

Im going to try this out tomorrow for my little girls 1st birthday party. Im going to boil the ham in coca cola tonight (although its not quite 2KG actually 2 smaller joints of about 1/2 KG from Tescos) then refridgerate, taking it out first thing in the morning allowing to come up to room temperature then whack it in the oven with the sugar and mustard powder to glaze it in the afternoon.
Im also going to do Nigella Southern Fried Chicken Pieces as I can poach them in milk the same way and then fry up tomorrow.

Fingers crossed Fellow Foodies

Carls x

Im also doing her Choc-Lime Cheescake. Quite an American afternoon - Just hope the weather is kind x

Hi, I regularly cook a gammon joint, it tastes so much better than the pre formed ham from the supermarket, I usually give it a rinse under the cold tap, then put in a large pan and just cover with cold water, bring it to the boil then turn down to a simmer and cook for around 30 mins per 500grams. As soon as time is up take out of the pan, stops it being too salty, and put on a plate to cool and drain. I always stab the skin a bit to let some of the fat out whilst cooling. keep checking tho, I've been caught out with too much juice coming out and running all over the work top! Once cool cover and keep in the fridge, enjoy.

It sounds as if whoever comes to your party are in for a treat Tits. Good luck. Do let us know how it goes and I have my fingers crossed for the weather. I was talking to someone in England (near London) on MSN this morning and the weather report was grim.

I have just looked at the date on your posts, 10th August. I only got notified of new messages on this thread this morning (15th August) so I now realise that the party was last Saturday.

Strange - but this website is full of anomalies apparently.

I would still be interested to hear how the gammon and chicken and cheesecake went down!