The humble ham has been a festive staple around Irish dinner tables for generations – and for good reason, says SuperValu ambassador Gareth Mullins. It’s hugely versatile and works beautifully, whether sitting alongside good-quality turkey as the main focus of your Christmas dinner or later that evening – or the following day – in the traditional Christmas sandwich.
However, for this festive season, ham has been elevated to new heights by SuperValu’s partnership with Oliver Carty & Family of Roscommon, resulting in two exceptional products – the brand new (and pre-cooked) SuperValu Signature Tastes Cooked and Glazed Hampshire Ham with Muscovado and Orange Blossom Honey (available from November 26th) and the SuperValu Signature Tastes Cooked & Glazed Hampshire Silverside Ham with Bramley Apple, Acacia Honey & Dijon Mustard Glaze.
“The Hampshire ham for this year is really special,” says Mullins, “Carty’s are real craftspeople and we worked together to create a ham that’s more traditional in how it’s cured – making it less salty than you’ll find elsewhere. We’ve made a real crowd pleaser.”
By using only the very best – the Hampshire is an award-winning pork breed – this partnership showcases SuperValu’s ongoing commitment to working with Irish farmers and ensuring that nothing but the highest quality produce makes it to your table. Best of all, SuperValu is catering for all levels of cooking confidence this year, by presenting its pre-cooked option.
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“The SuperValu Signature Tastes Cooked and Glazed Hampshire Ham with Muscovado and Orange Blossom Honey comes with the glaze already on it – all you need to do is pop it into the oven and roast it up,” explains Mullins. His top tip for the perfect Christmas ham is to do this on Christmas Eve, which not only makes Christmas Day itself more relaxed, but it also fills the house with the most amazing aroma.
Then slice it up and keep it in the fridge.
“When it’s time to serve on Christmas Day, put it on a tray with some tin foil, drizzle with apple juice or cider and put it back in the oven to heat it up,” suggests Mullins.
Known for the famous “Carty Cure”, Oliver Carty & Family was founded in 1970 by Oliver Carty and has remained a family business ever since. In 2003, following a number of moves, the Carty family bought a five-acre site and built a purpose-built facility for their operation – employing 150 local people. While geographically the new premises are little more than a stone’s throw from where it all began, the Cartys have come a long way from Oliver’s small oven which could hold only 10 hams at a time.
Speaking about the partnership, Ted Carty says: “Carty’s was formed by my father in the mid-50s and my daughters and son now work alongside me. What makes the SuperValu Signature Tastes Hampshire Ham unique is that it comes from farms in Cavan and Laois. It’s Bord Bia quality assured, and the breed makes it special, so customers know that they’re getting the best. What I love most is that our ham becomes part of family traditions. Ham at Christmas is a real Irish thing. For me it’s all about taste and that’s what makes this product so special.”
Taste is also the focus for Mullins wh,o this year will serve his turkey and ham with traditional sides such as Brussels sprouts, carrots and parsnips, and garlic potatoes from the SuperValu Signature Tastes range, finished with the new SuperValu Signature Tastes Turkey Gravy, created to pair perfectly with the Hampshire ham.
Enjoy!
Don’t forget to stock up the SuperValu Signature Tastes Superquinn Irish Pork Sausage Meat Stuffing (available from November 27th) which is new this year and something I’m so happy with. We worked with Carty’s using the iconic Superquinn sausage meat and went back and forth until we got the right recipe. It’s the ultimate Christmas stuffing
— Gareth's top tip
Leftover heaven: Grilled Hampshire ham with rosti potato, stuffing and fried egg
Ingredients
- 500g peeled and grated raw potato
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Butter or oil for frying
- 8 slices Signature Tastes Hampshire ham, grilled until crispy
- 8 slices Signature Tastes stuffing, grilled
- 1 jar Signature Tastes tomato country relish
- 8 SuperValu eggs for frying
- 100ml SuperValu crème fraîche
To make the rosti:
- Grate the potatoes using a coarse grater.
- Wring the grated potato in a clean tea towel to remove excess moisture. Discard the starchy water.
- Place the dried potato into a bowl and season with salt.
- Heat a little oil and butter in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
- Add the seasoned potato to the pan and flatten into a cake shape using a spatula.
- Fry for five minutes until golden and crispy, then flip and cook the other side.
To fry the eggs:
- Heat a little olive oil in a pan.
- Fry the eggs sunny side up and season with salt and pepper.
To plate:
- Place the crispy rosti on each plate.
- Top with a slice of grilled Signature Tastes Hampshire ham and Signature Tastes stuffing.
- Add a fried egg on top.
- Spoon over a little Signature Tastes tomato country relish.
- Finish with a dollop of crème fraîche and serve immediately.
