The Easiest Slow Cooker Christmas Ham
The easiest slow cooker Christmas ham, lightly spiced and served with a refreshing red cabbage salad
The easiest slow cooker Christmas ham, lightly spiced and served with a refreshing red cabbage salad
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 leaves
- 5 whole cloves
- 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 10 black peppercorns
- for the salad:
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 3 spring onions
- 1 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard
- parsley to garnish
- 1/2 tsp all spice
- 2 small carrots
- 4 tbsp honey
- 2 star anise
- for the ham:
- 2 - 2.5kg gammon
- 1 or 2 white onions
- 1 cups apple juice
- 1 red cabbage
- 2 red apples
- seeds from 1/2 pomegranate
- 3 tbsp cider vinegar
- for the ham glaze:
- handful of whole cloves
- 1 tbsp sugar (i used coconut sugar but brown sugar would
- Carbohydrate 77.1040129265669 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 13.0447183443137 g
- Fiber 19.0881566178355 g
- Protein 7.95100822188883 g
- Saturated Fat 2.07371728636865 g
- Serving Size 1 1 -6 (601g)
- Sodium 207.311228803414 mg
- Sugar 58.0158563087314 g
- Trans Fat 1.19336358074078 g
- Calories 392 calories
Step-by-step
- Cut the onion in half and place both pieces on the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Sit the gammon on top of the onions, fat side up. This will prevent it sticking as it cooks.
- Pour in the apple juice and add the peppercorns, cloves, star anise and bay leaves.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours, depending on how crumbly you want your ham to be.
- Prepare the salad by chopping the red cabbage, apples and spring onions into small pieces.
- Add the grated carrot and pomegranate seeds and mix well.
- Make the dressing by mixing the cider vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper together in a lidded jar or bottle and shake well.
- Add the dressing to the salad just before serving.
- When the ham has cooked remove it from the slow cooker and rest it on a plate for a few minutes to allow the liquid to drain away.
- Preheat the oven to 220c and double line a baking tin with foil (don't skip this as the honey glaze will burn into your baking tray and it's a nightmare to get off!).
- Transfer the ham to the lined tray.
- Remove the skin with a sharp knife leaving a layer of fat on top.
- Score the fat and stud it with whole cloves.
- Make the glaze by mixing all the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Pour half the glaze onto the fatty part of the ham, spreading it around until the top is fully covered.
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, adding the remaining glaze half way through.
- Allow the ham to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
My Easiest Christmas Ham Ever: A Slow Cooker Delight
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food! This year, I decided to tackle a Christmas ham, but I wanted something easy and stress-free. Let me tell you, this slow cooker recipe was a game-changer. I'm a busy working mom, and honestly, anything that saves me time in the kitchen during the holidays is a winner. The result? A succulent, flavorful ham that was incredibly tender and moist. Forget spending hours in the kitchen fussing over a complicated recipe – this one is perfect for anyone who appreciates simplicity without sacrificing taste.
The best part? The incredible aroma that filled my kitchen as the ham gently simmered away. It created such a wonderfully festive atmosphere, and honestly, I think the scent alone was enough to get everyone in the Christmas spirit! The slow cooker did all the work, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully while I got on with other things – like wrapping presents or enjoying some much-needed quiet time. It really was the perfect low-effort, high-reward dish that took the stress out of holiday cooking.
The Secret is in the Simplicity: This recipe emphasizes letting quality ingredients speak for themselves. We're not talking about a complicated glaze with a million ingredients. Instead, we're going for a subtle sweetness and savory depth that complements the ham beautifully. The star of the show is definitely the ham itself, and this method does an amazing job of letting its natural flavor shine. The slow cooker method ensures a wonderfully tender result, and the quick oven bake gives it a gorgeous golden-brown finish. It’s Christmas perfection on a plate.
More Than Just Ham: But wait, there's more! This isn't just about the ham. I paired it with a vibrant red cabbage salad that provided the perfect counterpoint to the richness of the ham. The combination of crunchy cabbage, sweet apples, and a tangy dressing made for a refreshing and delicious side dish. It’s light, flavorful and complements the ham wonderfully. The recipe for this salad is equally simple – perfect for those wanting to minimize time spent in the kitchen, yet maximizing on the flavor.
A Recipe for Busy Lives: Whether you’re a busy professional, a mom juggling a million things, or simply someone who appreciates a stress-free holiday, this recipe is for you. This slow cooker ham is a lifesaver – freeing up your time to focus on the things that truly matter during the festive season. So, skip the complicated recipes this year and embrace the magic of slow cooking with this wonderfully simple, yet incredibly delicious, Christmas ham. The compliments will be pouring in!
Tips for Success:
- Don't Skip the Foil: Seriously, lining your baking tin with double layers of foil is key to prevent the glaze from sticking. Trust me on this one.
- Resting is Essential: Allow the ham to rest before carving to ensure the juices redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful slice.
- Customize Your Spices: Feel free to adjust the spices to your preference. A little extra allspice or a hint of nutmeg could add another dimension of flavor.
- Make it Ahead: The ham can be slow cooked a day or two in advance and refrigerated, then baked just before serving, saving you even more time on Christmas Day.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with your favorite holiday sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and stuffing.
- Leftover ham can be used to make sandwiches, salads, or quiches.
This Christmas ham is more than just a recipe; it's a tradition waiting to be created. Enjoy!
