The Limerick Ham

Limerick Ham - bhofack2
Limerick Ham - bhofack2

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!