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Classic Christmas Ham with Potatoes and Gravy | Danish holiday food
Dinner

Classic Christmas Ham with Potatoes and Gravy | Danish holiday food

Juicy Christmas ham glazed with honey and mustard, served with small potatoes and classic gravy – a traditional Danish holiday favourite that never fails.

TraditionalChristmasHolidayDinnerStandardDansk
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Rate:
1.0 (1)
110 min total
6 servings
Medium

Ingredients

servings
Units

  • Christmas ham

    • 3.3 lb smoked Christmas ham (raw, with rind)

  • Glaze

    • 3 tbsp honey
    • 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
    • 1 tbsp brown sugar
    • 10 stk whole cloves

  • Potatoes

    • 1.8 lb small potatoes
    • 1 tsp salt
    • ½ tsp pepper
    • 1 tbsp oil

  • Gravy

    • 0.9 oz butter
    • 2 tbsp flour
    • 1⅔ cup stock or cooking liquid from the ham
    • 1.7 fl oz cream (optional)
    • 1 tsp soy sauce

Instructions

  1. 1

    Boil the ham

    1. Place the ham in a pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Skim the surface and let it simmer for 45–60 minutes depending on size.
    2. Save 4 dl of the cooking liquid for the gravy.
    60 min
    100°C
  2. 2

    Prepare the glaze

    1. Stir honey, mustard and brown sugar together into a thick glaze.
    2. Taste and add a little extra mustard for more sharpness if desired.
    3 min
  3. 3

    Glaze the ham

    1. Remove the rind from the cooked ham but leave a thin layer of fat. Score the fat in a diamond pattern and insert cloves.
    2. Brush the glaze over the entire ham.
    5 min
  4. 4

    Roast the ham

    1. Place the ham in the oven at 220°C (200°C fan) for 15–20 minutes until golden and caramelised.
    2. Keep an eye on it – the glaze should bubble and turn dark golden, not burnt.
    20 min
    220°C
  5. 5

    Roast the potatoes

    1. Toss the small potatoes in a little oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 25–30 minutes at 200°C until golden and crisp.
    2. Shake the potatoes halfway through for even roasting.
    30 min
    200°C
  6. 6

    Make the gravy

    1. Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in the flour and add the ham cooking liquid a little at a time. Simmer until smooth.
    2. Season with cream, soy sauce, salt and pepper.
    10 min
    Medium heat
  7. 7

    Serving

    1. Slice the ham thinly and serve with the golden potatoes and warm gravy.
    2. Garnish with fresh thyme or orange slices for a festive touch.
    5 min
    High heat

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Details

Nutrition

Calories

520kcal

Protein

46g

Fat

22g

Carbs

28g

Serving Size

350g

Dietary

Allergens

DairyGluten

Restrictions

  • Contains Dairy
  • Contains Gluten

Serving

Suggestions

  • • Serve at once.

Drink Pairings

  • • Oven: Sparkling water with lemon

Side Pairings

  • • Boiled potatoes or toasted rye for the sauce

Dessert Pairings

  • • Fruit

Storage

Fresh

  • • Duration: 3 days
  • • Temperature: 4°C
  • • Method: Store in an airtight container in the fridge

Frozen

  • • Duration: 3 months
  • • Temperature: -18°C
  • • Method: Freeze sliced ham in bags

Reheating

  • • Oven: Warm ham slices in the oven for 10 min at 160°C covered with foil (160°C)
  • • Pan: Warm ham slices in butter or a little stock in a pan (Medium heat)

Tips

Preparation

  • • Boil the ham the day before – it tastes almost better the next day.
  • • Save the cooking liquid – it gives a deep, rounded gravy.

Cooking

  • • Use a meat thermometer for precision: 70°C in the centre is perfect.
  • • Brush the glaze on several times during roasting for extra caramelisation.

Serving

  • • Serve on a large platter with potatoes arranged around it.
  • • Leftovers are perfect for sandwiches with mustard and red cabbage.

Variations

Flavor

  • Add a little orange zest to the glaze for freshness.
  • Use Dijon mustard instead of wholegrain for more punch.

Presentation

  • Serve with caramelised potatoes and red cabbage for a classic Christmas plating.
  • Garnish with cloves and orange slices on the platter for a beautiful presentation.

Health

  • Standard

Method

  • Baked

Toppings

  • None

Author

M

Michael

Madentusiast med fokus på klassiske danske retter og julemad, der bringer familien sammen.

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Comments

Author

M

Michael

Madentusiast med fokus på klassiske danske retter og julemad, der bringer familien sammen.