I am thinking of ordering a fancy ham

[OKNancy]

I'm having a big family dinner ( 18 Democrats!) and I am considering ordering a Smithfield ham. I usually just go to the local grocery and buy the nicest one they have. I've had success with these, but it's a special occasion and I thought I might splurge.

Has anyone done this? Any advise? Cooked, not cooked?

[bearfan454]

1. I've done it.

I put it in water for about a half hour first because of all the salt.

[OKNancy]

2. These are dry cured hams

no wet cured.. I'm pretty sure they aren't salty....at least I hope not at the price.

[OKNancy]

3. Well bless my soul

Here is all about country hams...it does say something about the salt.

http://www.samcooks.com/flavor/CountryHam.htm

[fortyfeetunder]

10. A little Smithfield ham goes a long way

I grew up in VA and those hams were a feature at holiday meals. I don't always buy the Smithfield variety, there are some local butchers in my parents home town that are just as nice, and cheaper too!

When I buy a Smithfield-type ham is get the butcher to slice half of it into steaks. Now that is good breakfast eating. Ham-eggs grits with red-eye gravy (made from the drippings).

The bones make an excellent pea soup seasoning, or used in seasoning collard greens or string beans.

[SW FL Dem]

4. I buy the spiral sliced ham at Costco

It's just as good as any Honeybaked or other premium ham I've ever had and it comes from a blue store! It's precooked, all you do is heat it up and enjoy.

[OKNancy]

5. Well, I would have to fly a long way

for a Costco...lol There are no stores in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
I've about decided to go to the local meat market. After reading all about the country ham, it seems to be not exactly what I want.
I may get a smoked ham instead. I guess I have some time.

[yellowdogintexas]

6. be sure they give you the bone!!!!! you can make

delicious red beans and rice with it, or use it to season your black eyed peas for New Years Day.

If it is a big bone, have the butcher saw it in half, and you can freeze it and have two lovely big batches of beans of one kind or another.


Nothing like a ham bone to season your beans!!!

[Eurobabe]

7. The king of hams is a HoneyBaked Ham

If you want a good pre-cooked ready to serve ham -- go here, they are absolutely the best, but they have gotten very expensive. They do mail orders and have stores throughout the USA. It's worth it though, you won't have any left overs!

Oopps forgot the link! http://www.honeybaked.com/

[The empressof all]

9. I thought OJ owned a chunk of Honeybaked

Don't know if that was a rumor or not.

[Katarina]

8. Just cooked one

I bought a smithfield ham and fixed it last night. I had made some homemade apple butter and decided to use that as a glaze instead of the brown sugar/pineapple/studded cloves that I normally do. Best ham I have ever made! It was delicious. I've never tried a honeybaked ham. Always wanted to but the price scares me off. LOL!

[cally]

11. My one experience with a Smithfield ham

I was 22 and hosting Easter Brunch. It was the first time I cooked a family Holiday meal. I bought a Smithfield ham. I probably didn't cook it right, but it was too salty. It was barely edible. Everyone took a small piece to be polite and I used the rest in casseroles and soup. I would buy locally. If you do buy one, then get some advice on how to cook them.

[babylonsister]

12. Hams from Omaha Steaks.

I received one as a gift last X-mas and was it ever delicious. I'm not a big ham eater, but that sold me. Honey-baked, pre-cooked, with a big honkin' bone in it I used to make a month's worth of pea soup. It was so good I ordered one online this year for my dad.

[OKNancy]

13. I decided to go to the local

meat market and got a smoked ham from them.

[NMDemDist2]

14. good for you Nancy, support your local folks first :) n/t

[bleedingheart]

15. The local grocery store probably has a nice spiral cut ham

and some even come with this really nice brown sugar stuff to baste it with...that is what I do...and it normally is well received.