Spiral Ham

I really want to do one of these for New Years Day! The only problem is we do most shopping on line and I can't seem to find one. Is it called something different here? If for some reason it's not available can some one suggest what other type of hams are out there. I've never done any other type of ham so don't know where to start.

I find that hams (ones that you would cook rather than pre sliced deli meats) are most referred to as Gammon or gammon joints. You could try searching for that. Though I haven't seen anything like a spiral ham here in the UK.

Since being in the UK I've only done a Roast Pork Shoulder, which has always turned out lovely.

I did my version of Nigella's American ham recipe for Christmas and it came out pretty good:

http://www.channel4.com/food/recipes/chefs/nigella-lawson/ham-in-coca-cola-recipe_p_1.html

Up north we don't boil our hams in Coke, but I am glad I found that recipe.  I reduced the amount of coke and added water and brown sugar, didn't use cloves (couldn't find them), and used crushed mustard seeds instead of prepared mustard/mustard powder, and it came out great.  I did do her suggestion to bring to a boil in water first rather than soak it in water.

If I make it again, I will definitely get the bone in type joint I think.

ETA: All my inlaws and husband loved it.  I had a rather large joint and it was served for my husband's Christmas lunch (a few slices with bread because he was saving it for Boxing day) and for starters on Boxing day. It's all gone now.  Of course, I didn't tell them I boiled the thing in Coke.  They didn't need to know. 

I do this too recipe too; however, I'd mind her cooking times.  If you are doing a large joint, something over 5KG, an hour per kilo is over-kill.  You only need 30-35 mins per kilo for large joints.

Not sure if this is of any  help to you at all but costco sells spiral hams

Third vote for the ham in coca-cola a la Nigella.  I did it and it turned out great.  I forgot the treacle (molasses) though, so I made up a bit of honey mustard and pressed demerrara sugar into that.  It was the nicest ham I've done and oh so easy!

Thanks for all the replies. I've been doing a bit of goggling and it doesn't appear that Spiral Ham (Gammon) exist unless you go to Costco (which doesn't help me but thanks). I am going to stop into the local butcher tomorrow and see what they have and see if they could spiral slice a Gammon Joint for me. The Cola Ham really sounds nice I just might try it this time. Just one question about the Demerara sugar. I already have dark brown and regular brown sugar so would one of these work in substitution for the Demerara?

I think they'd work fine.  That part is only a 10 minute blast in a really hot oven to sort of caramelize the outer layer.  It isn't really crucial, but makes the ham look dead impressive.

One thought, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to try cooking this way after it had been spiral cut.  it simmers for hours.  I think sliced meat would get destroyed in that cooking process.

I agree with the vote on Nigellas Coca Cola ham, great recipe!!!

DW made the Nigella aromatic ham from her Christmas book, it didn't call for coke though!

It was very nice. So ham for the rest of the week it is!

I've done the coke ham many times, and it's always great!

No earthly idea what a spiral ham is, though...

I've done the coke ham many times, and it's always great!

No earthly idea what a spiral ham is, though...

Spiral ham is a precooked ham that's been pre-sliced in a spiral cut to make it easier for serving.  ie) Honey Baked Ham...  So, basically Spiral Ham is just referring to the way the ham's cut after it's been cooked.   

Spiral ham is a precooked ham that's been pre-sliced in a spiral cut to make it easier for serving.  ie) Honey Baked Ham...  So, basically Spiral Ham is just referring to the way the ham's cut after it's been cooked.   

oh!!! you've no idea what my mind was conjuring up! 

For those of you that have done the Nigella cola ham I have another question. Did you save the liquid to make a gravy out of it? In her recipe it said DO NOT THROW AWAY THE COOKING LIQUID because it's a great stock for soups or gravy. Just wondering what you though of a gravy made out of mostly coca cola Was it nice and what else did you add to it other then flour?

I've made a couple things out of the stock.  By the time it's done it bears no resemblance to coke because of all the ham juices and the carbonation being gone, and you have stewed up an onion in it too if you follow the recipe. 

I made a lovely gravy for Christmas dinner that was super-easy.  I ended up using a little flour with it and didn't need to add any seasoning or stock cubes.  Seriously, it was good.
The other night DH used another cup of it from the freezer for a sauce he makes with lamb cutlets, and it was very nice again.  I definitely recommend saving the juice.