Jolly Festive’s Christmas Ham

behind the scenes

Introducing the Jolly Festive Family’s Christmas Ham Recipe

The second famous of all the Christmas meats. Delicious warm from the oven. Great for leftovers. The perfect accompaniment for Christmas cheese and pickles.

Yes, that’s right, the Jolly Festive Christmas Ham has arrived.

Whether you enjoy it on Christmas Eve (as was tradition in our family), as part of afternoon tea on Christmas Day, with leftovers on Boxing Day (as was tradition in my brother-in-law’s family), or as a way to avoid any more cooking on those days between Christmas & New Year, there is no denying that ham is a common occurrence on plates around the country during the festive season.

And so, we decided that we couldn’t keep our family recipe locked up any longer. I remember our Mum making this Christmas ham recipe in even my earliest Christmas memories as a child.

It would appear at Christmas Eve dinner alongside an array of other delicious goodies, but it was always this ham that everyone would come back to for second or thirds.

And on the off chance that it wasn’t completely devoured that night (pretty rare!) then I remember helping my Mum make ham sandwiches for everyone on Christmas Day afternoon –it’s worth slipping into a food coma for, trust me!

And while in recent years Christmas celebrations have moved from my parents’ home to Hannah’s, this Christmas Ham recipe remains a constant. Because after all that’s what traditions are…comforting, familiar and always there.

But What About The Ham?!

But now on to the ham itself! Whether it’s bubbling away on the hob, or caramelizing in the oven, it will fill your home with the aroma of Christmas.

Cooking it in cider followed by the short oven time, means you are left with a…get ready for it…moist ham with a gorgeously golden brown exterior. The mustard gives a subtle heat, while the sugar balances the sweetness perfectly. And don’t be scared by the cloves. They do not overpower the ham but instead create a whisper of Christmas flavour in every bite.

 So whenever it is that ham makes an appearance at your table over the festive season, give this Jolly Festive Christmas Ham recipe a try –we’re sure you won’t be disappointed.