Gammon v Ham

[mayennaise]

Pre packed in your local supermarket - gammon joint versus bacon joint.

Two questions: 1. what is the difference and 2. do you soak before cooking/roasting


TIA

[bednobs]

ham is cooked

[boxtops]

2 Yes

[gingejbee]

gammon is pricier because it's supposedly "better" than bacon. And, no need to soak, as they're not that salty these days.

[hc4361]

Bacon joints come from the cheaper cuts of pork from the front and middle.
Gammon joints come from the hind quarter and is leaner.
No need to soak.

[Im a BusyBee]

I buy whichever looks the leanest. i never soak it. Although you may have read my answers praising my slow cooker as i cook all my meat in there, this is one thing that cooks better when boiled in a large saucepan (I actually use my 30 year old pressure cooker, not under pressure but i find the lid locks on and cooks it extremely well). I bring it to the boil (with cold water) then tip the water away and start with either fresh water or diet coke, yes you did read correctly!, cook for amount of time appropriate for size of joint then leave it to cool completely without removing the lid - unless we want to eat it hot of course. After much experimenting my family always passes best comments when i cook in this way.

[mayennaise]

Thank you all - will try the Diet coke method - tried this with chicken and it was delicious.

[sherrardk]

I've done ham/gammon joints in a slow cooker - the liquid is made from brown sugar, butter and grain mustard (if I remember correctly).