CHEF JOHN'S MINI CHRISTMAS HAMS
These cute, individually sized hams are firm, moist, and perfectly salty. Serve them over the holidays or for your next dinner party.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pork Pork Chop Recipes Baked
Time P2DT50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Combine 1 1/2 cups boiling water, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt, black pepper, allspice, cloves, and bay leaf together in a large container; stir until the sugar and salt are dissolved. (See Cook's Note to substitute table salt.)
- Place celery, onion, and garlic in a blender. Add 2 cups cold water and puree until smooth. Pour celery mixture into kosher salt mixture and stir to combine. Add 1 quart of water, or more as needed, to make a total of 2 quarts of brine. Place pork chops in brine, cover, and refrigerate for 2 days.
- Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper together in a small bowl and set glaze aside.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Remove pork chops from brine and pat dry; discard used brine. Cut shallow slits along the sides of each pork chop, about 1/4 inch deep. Cut a crisscross pattern in the top of each pork chop, creating small 1-inch triangles.
- Heat oil in a large, oven-proof skillet over high heat. Cook chops in the hot oil until browned, about 2 minutes on each side. Brush the crisscrossed top of each pork chop with about 1 tablespoon of glaze. Insert 3 whole cloves in the top of each pork chop.
- Transfer skillet to the preheated oven and roast pork chops until golden brown and slightly pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Remove pork chops to a plate and discard cloves.
- Using a small butane hand torch, brown the tops of the pork chops by making short passes over the tops with the flame not quite touching.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 790.3 calories, Carbohydrate 61.9 g, Cholesterol 213.1 mg, Fat 21.8 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 82.7 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 13233.9 mg, Sugar 54.9 g
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Azeem GOLD
a@yahoo.comThe mini hams were a bit dry, but the glaze was delicious. I think I would cook them for a shorter amount of time next time.
Tamika Thomas
tthomas@yahoo.comThese mini hams were a bit too salty for my taste, but they were still good. I think I would use less salt next time.
Nhaa Dee
deenhaa62@hotmail.comI followed the recipe exactly and the mini hams turned out perfectly! They were moist and flavorful, and the glaze was perfect. I will definitely be making these again.
Zenaida Flores
f_zenaida@gmail.comThese mini hams were the perfect size for our family of four. They were also very easy to make and they turned out great. I will definitely be making these again.
Dark Hunter
d-hunter17@yahoo.comThe mini hams were a bit dry, but the glaze was delicious. I think I would cook them in a covered dish next time.
Mayet Abush
mayet-abush@hotmail.co.ukThese mini hams were a bit too sweet for my taste, but they were still good. I think I would use less brown sugar next time.
ahm3d hero
hero-a@hotmail.comI'm not a big fan of ham, but these mini hams were actually really good! The glaze was amazing and the meat was so tender. I will definitely be making these again.
YULLY JOY FLORES
y10@yahoo.comThese mini hams were the perfect addition to our Christmas dinner. They were easy to make and they turned out so delicious. I will definitely be making these again next year.
Mirembe Moureen
m.m@yahoo.comI made these mini hams for my holiday party and they were a huge hit! Everyone loved them. They were so easy to make and they turned out perfectly.
Lily Rosie
l84@gmail.comThese mini hams were delicious! The glaze was perfect and the meat was so tender. I will definitely be making these again.
TC tirtha Roy
royt28@yahoo.comThe mini hams were a bit dry, but the glaze was delicious. I think I would cook them for a shorter amount of time next time.
Xxsunset Jules
x57@yahoo.comThese mini hams were a bit too salty for my taste, but they were still good. I think I would use less salt next time.
Ispas Marian
marian-ispas76@hotmail.comI followed the recipe exactly and the mini hams turned out great! They were moist and flavorful, and the glaze was perfect. I will definitely be making these again.
toastlovestea
toastlovestea@yahoo.comThese mini hams were the perfect size for our small family gathering. They were also very easy to make and they turned out beautifully. I will definitely be making these again.
Jinsarali Shar
sharj39@hotmail.comI made these mini hams for my family and they loved them! The glaze was especially delicious. I will definitely be making these again.
Tawiah Bempong
bempongt12@hotmail.frThese mini hams were a hit at our Christmas dinner! They were so easy to make and they turned out perfectly moist and flavorful. I will definitely be making these again next year.