Full question
In ‘How To Eat’, Nigella’s recipe for the Ham in Coca Cola calls for breadcrumbs and muscovado sugar but the website recipe uses a different sugar and no breadcrumbs. Which is the ‘best’ to use? Was there a reason Nigella didn’t include breadcrumbs in this recipe? Thanks!
Our answer
Nigella's recipe for Ham In Coca Cola that appears on the website is from NIGELLA BITES and is an update from the recipe that originally appeared in HOW TO EAT. In both versions the ham is simmered in cola, it is only the glazing that is different.
The original version had a coating made from mustard, muscovado sugar and fresh breadcrumbs as the breadcrumbs helped to make a paste that meant that the sugar adhered to the ham and the coating formed a crust when baked. The updated version uses treacle brushed onto the ham and then mustard powder and demerara sugar are pressed onto the treacle. This version allows for a more decorative finish as the fat can be scored into diamonds and studded with cloves. It also makes the ham gluten free if Dijon mustard is used instead of English mustard powder. We would not consider either one of the versions to be "best" as they are both delicious. You can use whichever version you prefer or find easiest, or even leave the ham unglazed if you are short on time.
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