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Donal Skehan
Julmust and Mustard Skinka | DonalSkehan.com, Swedish Christmas Ham.
  • christmas

Julmust and Mustard Skinka

December 12

The Swedes have a special drink which is sold during the Christmas period which is a cross between a sweet root beer and coca cola.  It’s so popular in fact that the Coke’s sales drop by almost 50% over the christmas period.  I first came across this method when I was younger, glued to one of Nigella Lawson’s TV programs.  Boiling the ham in this liquid gives a sweet and almost spicy taste.  You can bake your ham with any topping you like and something like a maple glaze is delicious, but this mustard and breadcrumb topping is traditionally Swedish and is absolutely delicious.

  • serves Serves 10
  • time 240 mins

Method

  1. 1. Place the ham in a large pot and pour in the julmust along with the onion, peppercorns and bay leaf. If the liquid doesn't reach the top of the pot, top up with water.
  2. 2. Bring to the boil and then simmer steadily for 40 minutes per kg. After the cooking time, turn off the heat and allow to cool in the liquid.
  3. 3. In a small bowl whisk together the egg yolk, mustard and honey and set aside.
  4. 4. Preheat the oven to 220˚C/450˚F/Gas mark 8.
  5. 5. When cooked remove from the liquid before removing the skin, exposing the fat and scoring diagonally with a small sharp knife.
  6. 6. Spread the mustard mix over the top of the ham and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Push the cloves into each cross.
  7. 7. Place the ham in a roasting tray and bake for 20 minutes or until golden on top.
  8. 8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before slicing thinly to serve.

Ingredients

4.5kg of ham

2 litres of julmust or cola

1 large onion

1 tbsp of black peppercorns

A handful of cloves

Topping

1 egg yolk

3 tbsp of mustard

1 tbsp of honey

3 tbsp of fine breadcrumbs

You'll Need

Large Pot

Roasting tray

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