When many of us think of Christmas dinner, we imagine a juicily succulent ham at the center of a sweeping spread of sides and sweets. And while there are plenty of other dishes to choose from (like turkey, buttery leg of lamb or a sprawling julbord of cheeses and cured fish), the humble ham is a festive mainstay in many households.
Unfortunately, most hams you’ll find in supermarkets are pretty underwhelming. And if you’re not careful, you could end up spending more than you should on a holiday feast that leaves your family feeling disappointed and stuffed full of carbs.
The good news is that there are some excellent hams on the market. To help Aussie shoppers get the best bang for their buck this Christmas, consumer group CHOICE blind-taste-tested eight supermarket-brand hams from Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA, and ranked them on appearance, succulence, saltiness, aroma and flavour. The best-rated ham was also one of the cheapest, while the worst-rated was among the most expensive per kilogram.
To get the most out of your ham, cook it until its internal temperature reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit. When you’re ready to serve it, let the meat rest for about 10 to 15 minutes so its juices redistribute and the slices stay juicy. To make your ham extra special, brush on some glaze before serving it. Our testers tried a few different options, including orange and cranberry, Earl Grey tea-infused and dry spice marinade.
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