I cannot overstate how good this is – and I speak as someone who has spent a lifetime experimenting with glazes for ham. If I have large numbers to cater for, it is a go-to in our house. Initially I'd serve it hot, and then use any leftovers the following day, either as part of breakfast with some poached eggs or for sandwiches.
Serves 8–10
- 2kg unsmoked gammon joint
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 celery sticks, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- 8 star anise
- 175g damson plum jam or conserve
- juice of 1 orange
- 100g light brown sugar
Rinse the gammon with fresh water and put in a pan of boiling water. Add the onion, celery, peppercorns and 2 of the star anise. Bring to a simmer over a low heat and cook for 1½ hours. Leave to cool in the liquid. Meanwhile, make the glaze. Put the damson jam or conserve in a small pan with the orange juice, sugar and the rest of the star anise.
Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved, then simmer for 3–4 minutes or until reduced to a thick glaze, stirring to ensure it doesn’t catch at the bottom. Leave to cool slightly. Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F/Gas Mark 7).
Remove the gammon from the pan and put into a baking tin. Using a sharp knife, cut off the rind, leaving the fat on top and score diagonally into a diamond pattern. Pour around 500ml of the cooking liquid, which will help to keep the joint moist. Smear the damson glaze all over the ham, reserving 2 tablespoons, making sure the star anise are sitting on top of the joint. Roast for 20–30 minutes until cooked through. Remove from the oven and drizzle over the remaining glaze. Leave to rest for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour, covered loosely with tin foil. Carve slices from the ham and arrange on plates to serve.
Turkey Roulade with Maple Glaze
There is no need for impressive carving skills with this easy-to serve turkey recipe with gravy. It is so easy to prepare and great if you want to get ahead. Then, all you have to do is put it in the oven before carving into neat, spiralled slices studded with cranberries and pistachios.
Serves 6–8
- 75g butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 100g fresh ciabatta breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp chopped fresh mixed herbs (sage, rosemary and thyme)
- 20g fresh flat-leaf parsley, leaves stripped off
- 1.75–2kg boneless turkey breast, skin on
- 50g dried cranberries or chopped apricots
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 200ml carton poultry gravy
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F/Gas Mark 6). Heat a sauté pan over a medium heat, melt half of the butter and gently sauté the onion for 8–10 minutes until softened but not coloured. Season well. Put the breadcrumbs and herbs into a food processor and blitz to fine crumbs, then add the sautéed onions and pulse to make a paste.
Put the turkey breast skin-side down on a chopping board, then butterfly it by cutting partway into the thickest side. Open the turkey breast out and cover with parchment paper, then use a rolling pin to gently bash it out to an even 2cm thickness. Remove the parchment and season, then spread over the breadcrumb paste, leaving a border around the edges. Scatter the cranberries or apricots on top, then press down so that they form part of the stuffing. Starting from one of the short sides, roll the turkey breast into a tight log shape, then tie at even intervals with kitchen string.
Melt the rest of the butter in a small pan with the maple syrup, and use this to glaze the joint, reserving any that is left over. This will keep in the fridge for 2 days, or it can be frozen and defrosted. Put the turkey roulade on a rack in a roasting tin and roast for 40 minutes, basting halfway through with the rest of the glaze, until the turkey is cooked through. A thermometer should read 70°C. Transfer the roulade to a platter, cover loosely with foil and leave to rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, put the roasting tin on the hob and stir in the gravy with a splash of boiling water, scraping the bottom of the tin to remove any sediment. Carve the turkey into slices and arrange on plates, then pour over some of the gravy to serve.
SERVE WITH … For Christmas made easy, serve with Smashed Roast Potatoes or Potato Gratin.