Frequently Asked Questions
What is Coca-Cola Glazed Ham?
It is a tender and flavorful ham dish inspired by Nigella Lawson, featuring a unique sweetness from Coca-Cola and a rich glaze made of treacle and mustard.
Who is the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the famous method found in Nigella Lawson's 'Nigella Bites'.
What type of ham should I use?
The recipe calls for a 2 kg whole mild-cure ham.
How much Coca-Cola is needed for the recipe?
You will need one 2-liter bottle of Coca-Cola to fully submerge the ham.
How should the onion be prepared?
The onion should be peeled and halved before being added to the pot with the ham.
How long should the ham simmer?
The ham should simmer for approximately 2 1/2 hours, or roughly 1 hour per kilogram.
What temperature is required for the oven baking step?
Preheat your oven to 240°C (475°F) for the final glazing and baking stage.
When should I start preheating the oven?
Start preheating the oven during the last 10 minutes of the ham's simmering time.
Do I leave the skin on the ham when glazing?
No, you should carefully remove the skin while leaving a thin layer of fat intact before applying the glaze.
How do I score the fat on the ham?
Use a sharp knife to cut large diamond shapes into the layer of fat, being careful not to cut into the meat.
How are cloves used in this recipe?
Insert one whole clove into the center of each diamond shape cut into the fat.
What ingredients make up the glaze?
The glaze consists of black treacle (or molasses), mustard powder, and brown sugar.
How much black treacle or molasses is used?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of black treacle or molasses.
How much mustard powder do I need?
You will need 2 teaspoons of mustard powder for the glaze.
How much brown sugar is used for the topping?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to be sprinkled over the sticky fat.
What kind of baking sheet is recommended?
It is recommended to use a foil-lined baking sheet to catch the glaze and prevent sticking.
How long does the ham bake in the oven?
The ham should bake for about 10 minutes until the fat is crispy and bubbly.
Should the ham rest after cooking?
Yes, allow the ham to rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven before slicing.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What makes this ham stay moist?
The slow simmering process in the Coca-Cola liquid ensures the ham remains moist and juicy.
Is this recipe suitable for holidays?
Yes, it is considered a perfect centerpiece dish for festive gatherings and holiday meals.
What are the primary flavor notes of this dish?
The ham is characterized by unique sweetness from the cola, rich notes from black treacle, and a hint of spice from the mustard.
Do I need to add water to the pot?
No, the recipe uses only Coca-Cola as the cooking liquid to infuse the ham with flavor.
Can I use molasses if I don't have black treacle?
Yes, molasses is a suitable substitute for black treacle in this recipe.
What should the heat be set to during simmering?
After the initial boil, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot to simmer.
Is the ham boiled or baked?
It is a two-step process: it is first simmered (boiled) in the soda and then baked at a high temperature to glaze.
How do you achieve a crispy crust on the ham?
The crispy crust is achieved by baking the treacle, mustard, and sugar coated fat at 240°C for 10 minutes.
Is there any preparation for the ham itself before cooking?
The recipe specifies using a mild-cure ham whole without any specific pre-soaking required.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 6 main ingredients: mild-cure ham, onion, Coca-Cola, black treacle/molasses, mustard powder, and brown sugar.
What are some tags associated with this recipe?
Relevant tags include holiday recipe, sweet glaze, festive dish, baked ham, and Nigella Lawson.