Making a classical French dish like red fruit ham (Jambon aux fruits rouges) at home is a delightful culinary project. This dish typically involves ham that is adorned with a rich, sweet glaze often made with red fruits. Here’s a simple recipe to guide you through the process.
Ingredients:
For the Ham:
1 fully cooked ham (about 57 pounds)
Whole cloves (optional, for studding)
For the Red Fruit Glaze:
1 cup red fruits (such as raspberries, strawberries, cherries, or a mix) fresh or frozen
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup red wine (or port)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 lemon
Fresh herbs for garnish (such as mint or thyme; optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Ham
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Score the Ham: If the ham has a thick layer of fat, use a sharp knife to score the fat in a diamond pattern. This helps the glaze penetrate the meat and adds flavor.
3. Stud with Cloves: If desired, stud the ham with whole cloves. Insert them into the intersections of the scored diamond pattern.
Step 2: Prepare the Glaze
1. Cook the Fruits: In a saucepan, combine the red fruits, sugar, red wine, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. If you want a bit of tang, you can add Dijon mustard.
2. Simmer: Cook over medium heat until the fruits break down and the mixture thickens, about 1015 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. Blend (Optional): If you prefer a smoother glaze, blend the mixture until smooth, then return it to the saucepan and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Step 3: Glaze and Bake the Ham
1. Glaze the Ham: Place the ham in a roasting pan. Brush a generous amount of the red fruit glaze over the surface of the ham.
2. Bake: Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Bake for about 15 minutes per pound, basting it with the glaze every 30 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow the glaze to caramelize.
3. Check Temperature: The internal temperature of the ham should reach 140°F (60°C) when it is ready to serve.
Step 4: Serve
1. Rest: Once the ham is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 1520 minutes before slicing.
2. Slice and Plate: Slice the ham into thick pieces and serve with the remaining red fruit glaze drizzled on top. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Tips:
You can adjust the sweetness of the glaze by adjusting the amount of sugar or red fruit used.
Serve the ham with roasted vegetables or a light salad for a complete meal.
This sweet and savory dish captures the essence of French cuisine and is sure to impress at any dinner or festive gathering. Enjoy your homemade red fruit ham!