Christmas ham or Yule ham is a customary ham dish prepared for Christmas. It is believed that the custom was started by Germans commemorating Freyr (pr Ingwi), a deity in Germanic Paganism related to boars, harvest and fertility. The Catholic Church popularized it later upon a test of truthful conversion. Christmas ham is believed to have originated from England, Scandinavia. It was prepared by Saint Stephen to pay tribute to Yuletide festivities and 26th December is consecrated after him. In ancient Swedish art, Stephen is depicted looking after horses and fetching a boar's head to a Yuletide banquet.
Traditional Christmas Ham Recipes
Christmas ham can be made from ham available in the supermarket that is most often completely cooked and set to be served instantly. The Christmas ham may be heated for picking up extra glaze and flavour. Hams that have been partly cooked hams should be baked at a rate of 20 minutes per pound till an internal temperature of 160 degrees F is attained. Completely cooked hams take almost 10 minutes per pound to bake. Hams that are either boned or boneless can be used. Of late, a newer version of ham known as spiral sliced hams is in vogue. They are completely cooked hams sliced with the help of a unique device that results in perfectly cut thin slices. These are pre-glazed hams that have developed glaze on account of being baked previously. The remaining Christmas ham can be preserved in the refrigerator for almost 3 days.
Modern Christmas Ham Recipes and Variations
Ham Quiche is a Christmas ham recipe that is cheesy and rich in vegetables. It is prepared with strips of red bell pepper, egg mix, asparagus and fresh leek slices.
Marinated Baked Ham is a Christmas ham recipe commonly relished as a main dish. It derives all the taste out of the ham and is a high protein dish.
Creamy Ham And Noodle Dinner is a meat and vegetable Christmas ham dish accompanied with egg noodles. The Christmas ham is typically made in a saucepan with carrots and peas, with the base being milk.
Honey glazed ham is a spicy and flavourful ham steaks Christmas ham recipe. Cooked by broiling, the ham steaks are glistened or coated with a slightly heated mix of honey, spices and pan drippings.
Strawberry Glazed Ham is a Christmas Ham recipe where the Christmas ham is coated and flavoured with the strawberry glaze with a little amount of lemon. The strawberry glazed ham can be had along with a fruit and veggie salad on the side.
Customary Ways to Serve and Eat Christmas Ham
Christmas hams are mostly had with sides including salads, dressings, mashed potatoes and sauces. They also pair well with most wines.
Christmas Ham Trivia
Christmas Ham Soda, a ham-flavoured carbonated drink was a characteristic flavour of the Jones Soda Company in the 2007 Christmas event. It was incorporated in a Christmas bunch that had other Christmas-themed soda flavours, together with Christmas Tree Soda, Egg Nog Soda and Sugar Plum Soda.