Limerick has a culinary speciality of its own: its smoked ham (Limerick Ham)! And not just any ham please, a smoked ham with juniper berries, cooked in cider, sugar and mustard. A delicacy, found in most Limerick Pubs !
What is Limerick Ham?
Roast ham with a smoky taste!
Unlike other parts of Ireland, the city of Limerick likes to smoke its ham using juniper berries: this gives the meat a completely different aroma and a slightly peppery flavour.
This flavour is counterbalanced by sweet aromas, brought by cider and sugar, and a touch of acidity brought by mustard.
Limerickers are used to eating it in slices, with potatoes or cabbage. The result is surprising and particularly tasty
Recipe of Limerick Ham
Ingredients
- 1kg of Limerick ham (smoked with juniper berries)
- 1 litre of Irish cider (e.g. Bulmers cider)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar or a little honey, your choice
- 1 teaspoon of mustard
- 20 cloves
Preparation
- Place your Limerick ham in a basin of cold water overnight
- The next day, place it in a saucepan with the same water and bring to a boil.
- Still in the pan, replace the water with the cider. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and leave the ham in marinade for an hour.
- Then take it out of the pan and place cloves in the flesh.
- In a bowl, mix the mustard and sugar (or honey).
- Then rub the ham with the preparation.
- Place the ham in a dish in the oven for 15 minutes at 180°C.
- All you have to do is taste it, with a few potatoes!
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Consume in moderation.
