Photo of Sloe gin-glazed ham by WW

Sloe gin-glazed ham

8
Points® value
Total Time
2 hr 20 min
Prep
15 min
Cook
2 hr 5 min
Serves
10
Difficulty
Moderate
A salty gammon joint is the perfect partner to sweet, sticky sloe gin – and no one will ever guess how easy it was to whip up!

Ingredients

Gammon/ham joint, raw

1200 g, unsmoked

Apple juice

500 ml, as purchased

Bay leaf, dry

5 leaf/leaves

Black pepper

2 teaspoon(s), 10 black peppercorns

Star Anise

2 individual

Cloves, Whole or Ground

30 individual

Honey

2 tablespoon(s), level, clear

Gin

30 ml, sloe gin

Muscovado Sugar

10 g, light

Orange

½ zest(s) of 1, finely grated

Freshly squeezed orange juice

2 serving(s), 1/2 of 1 orange

Jam

30 g, plum

Instructions

  1. Tie the gammon joint securely with kitchen string, then transfer to a large, deep pot. Pour over the apple juice and add the bay leaves, peppercorns, star anise and 10 of the cloves. Top up with just enough cold water to cover the joint, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes, skimming the surface every so often.
  2. Once cooked, leave the joint in the cooking liquid until cool enough to handle. Remove from the pan and put onto a board. Discard the cooking liquid. Using a small knife, cut away the string and the skin, taking care not to remove too much fat. Score a diamond pattern into the fat.
  3. Preheat the oven to 200°C, fan 180°C, gas mark 6 and line a baking tray with baking paper. Make the glaze: put all the ingredients in a pan and simmer over a low heat for 5 minutes, or until reduced by half. Brush the joint all over with half of the glaze, then stud the cuts with the remaining cloves. Transfer to the prepared baking tray and bake for 25 minutes, brushing with the remaining glaze halfway through, until the joint is sticky and caramelised.
  4. Set the ham aside to rest for at least 30 minutes before carving and serving.

Notes

This super-easy show-stopper is the perfect centrepiece for the buffet table. And because it’s so delicious, whether it’s served warm or cold, it’s great for feeding a crowd.