Full question
Hello, Hello! I am cooking the Ham in Coca Cola on Christmas day - I'm in Australia so it's all BBQ and salads but this is a must. I managed to track down a butcher who is curing a piece of gammon for me but I've been implored that I make a gravy to go with it. Can I use the cola liquor from the boiling, as you might with a full roast, or will that be too sweet? If you have any tips please let me know.
Our answer
Nigella's Ham In Coca Cola (from NIGELLA BITES) is a very popular way to cook gammon (a cured, but uncooked ham). If you are making a gravy then unfortunately we think that the cooking liquid would not be suitable as it is very sweet and will also have become slightly too salty with the cure from the gammon. You could add a splash of the liquid to a regular gravy but go carefully, adding a very little at a time and tasting after each addition. We would prefer to use the cooking liquid to make something like a black bean soup as the beans can absorb and offset the sweet and salty liquid.
Nigella's Allspice Gravy would be a nice accompaniment if you do want a gravy. If you don't have turkey giblets then use 4-6 chicken wings for the stock instead and the gravy can be made ahead (see the tips below the recipe). And cranberry sauce is also very good with ham as well as turkey. You could try Nigella's Redder Than Red Cranberry Sauce. Finally, try a dollop of Chilli Jam alongside the hot ham, as well as for cold leftovers.
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