3LB HAM RECIPES

Steps:

• Put the gammon, onion and 100ml/3½fl oz water in the slow cooker, cover with the lid and cook on low for 6–8 hours, or until the pork is thoroughly cooked. The longer the gammon is cooked, the more like pulled ham it will become.
• Remove the lid, lift the pork out of the slow cooker and onto a board, and leave it to stand for 10 minutes, or until cool enough to handle.
• Preheat the oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7. Very carefully, snip off the string and slide a knife, in a horizontal sawing motion, between the ham rind and fat, then lift off the rind, leaving a thin layer of fat on the meat. (You may need to do this in strips.)
• Lightly score the ham fat with a knife in a crisscross pattern. Line a small roasting tin with a piece of foil, large enough to come up the sides of the tin. Place the ham on top, fat-side up. If the ham is thinner one end than the other, prop the short end up with a wodge of crumpled kitchen foil, so the fat is more horizontal – this will help it brown more evenly.
• Mix the mustard, honey and sugar in a small bowl and spread it all over the ham fat. Bring the foil in towards the ham to create a bowl to catch any sticky juices. Bake the ham for 12–15 minutes, or until the fat is nicely browned.
• Serve in slices, warm or cold.

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a deep, heavy-based, flameproof, lidded casserole over a high heat. Add the beef, in batches if necessary, and fry for 4-5 minutes, or until browned all over. Remove the meat from the casserole using a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Heat the remaining oil in the pan, add the onions and garlic and fry, stirring well, for 4-5 minutes, or until softened, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the casserole using a wooden spoon. Stir in the beef stock.
• In a large bowl, whisk the flour with a little of the wine until smooth, then gradually pour in the remaining wine, whisking until combined to a smooth batter with the consistency of double cream.
• Return the browned beef to the casserole, then pour over the wine and flour mixture. Bring to the boil, stirring until thickened, then add the Worcestershire sauce and sugar and season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover the casserole with the lid, reduce the heat until the mixture is simmering, and simmer very gently for 2 hours, stirring from time to time (alternatively, cook the casserole in a low oven).
• After 2 hours, add the mushrooms, return the mixture to the boil, then cover again, reduce the heat until the mixture is simmering, and simmer for a further ½ hour, or until the meat is tender.
• Mix the mustard, horseradish and double cream (if using) in a bowl until well combined. Just before serving, stir it into the beef casserole. Serve with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables.