Christmas Ham Selection Guide: Finding Your Perfect Centerpiece

Let's talk about the star of the Christmas feast - the ham! Picking the right ham can be tricky, but we're here to help you choose one that everyone will love. We'll cover different types of hams, how to pick the right size, and tips for preparing and serving your holiday centrepiece.

Types of Christmas Hams at Pryde Butchery

At Pryde Butchery, we offer different hams to fit every family's needs. We have whole leg hams, half hams, and middle cuts. Each ham is carefully chosen and prepared to be the best quality for your holiday meal. Let's look at our top picks:

Free Range Whole Leg Ham

Our Free Range Whole Leg Ham is great for big family get-togethers. It costs $17.99/kg and weighs 10-12 kg. This ham is smoked the old-fashioned way, giving it that yummy traditional flavor. It has the bone in, which adds extra taste and looks nice on your table.

Free Range Half Leg Ham

If you're having a smaller party, try our Free Range Half Leg Ham. It's $18.99/kg and weighs 4-6.5 kg. It's perfect if you don't want too many leftovers but still want that classic ham taste.

Free Range Middle Cut Ham

Our Free Range Middle Cut Ham is just right if you want something in between. It's $19.99/kg and weighs 3 kg. This cut is known for being tender and having flavor all through the meat. It's great for smaller families who still want a tasty ham.

Picking the Right Size Ham

Not sure how big a ham to get? Here's a guide to help you choose:

- Whole ham (10-12 kg): Feeds about 20-24 people, good for big parties - Half ham (4-6.5 kg): Good for 8-13 people, perfect for medium-sized gatherings - Middle cut (3 kg): Perfect for 6-8 people, great for smaller families

It's better to have a little extra than not enough. Leftover ham makes great sandwiches and salads. Think about how much your guests usually eat, what other food you're serving, and if you want leftovers when deciding.

What Makes Our Hams Special?

At Pryde Butchery, we care about quality and tradition. Here's what makes our hams stand out:

• Free-range: Our pigs live in natural environments, which makes the meat taste better.
• Hand-selected: We carefully pick only the best hams for smoking.
• Traditionally smoked: We use old-fashioned smoking methods for real flavour.
• Processed in small batches: This means each ham gets lots of attention.
• Locally sourced: We support Australian farmers and help the environment.
• No added hormones or unnecessary antibiotics: We care about the health of our animals and customers.

Want to know more about our commitment to quality? Check out our story.

Preparing Your Christmas Ham

Now that you have your ham, let's get it ready for the big day:

1. Take the ham out of the fridge an hour before cooking so it cooks evenly.
2. If you're using a glaze, cut diamond shapes in the fat with a sharp knife. Don't cut into the meat.
3. Heat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
4. Put the ham in a baking dish, fat side up.
5. Cook for 30-35 minutes per kilogram. Use a meat thermometer - it should reach 70°C (160°F) inside.
6. If using a glaze, put it on during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
7. Baste your ham every 20-30 minutes to keep it juicy.
8. Let the ham rest for 20 minutes after cooking before you cut it.
9. You can decorate your ham with herbs or fruit slices to make it look pretty.

Glazing Your Ham: Adding Extra Yum!

A glaze can make your ham even tastier. Here are some easy glaze ideas:

To glaze your ham, brush it on during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Do this every 10 minutes for a shiny finish. You can add things like star anise, cloves, or rosemary to your glaze for extra flavor.

Want more glaze ideas? Check out our Christmas ham glaze recipes for step-by-step instructions!

Serving Your Ham

Your ham is cooked and looks great. Here's how to serve it:

• Use a sharp knife to cut thin slices.
• Cut a small piece off the bottom so the ham doesn't roll when you're slicing it.
• Arrange the slices on a big plate, overlapping them to look nice.
• Add some fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to make it look pretty.
• Put some fruits like figs or orange slices around the ham for color.
• Set out things like mustard or cranberry sauce for people to add to their ham.
• You can put out small rolls so people can make mini sandwiches if they want.
• Don't forget to put out a fork or tongs for serving the ham.

Storing Leftover Ham

If you have leftover ham, here's how to keep it fresh:

Try to eat your leftover ham within 5-7 days. If you have too much, you can freeze some for later. Frozen ham can last up to 2 months if you wrap it well.

Quick and Easy Ham

Need ham fast? Try our Free Range Sliced Ham. It's $36.99/kg and ready to eat. It's great for quick sandwiches, salads, or snacks. You don't need to cook it - just open and enjoy!

Our Free Range Sliced Ham is good for: - Last-minute holiday meals - Picnics - Quick lunches - Making easy snack platters

Wrapping Up

Choosing a Christmas ham doesn't have to be hard. With these tips and our quality hams at Pryde Butchery, you're all set for a yummy holiday meal. The best ham is one you share with family and friends!

Think about serving your ham with roasted veggies, creamy potatoes, or a fresh salad. Don't forget to plan some fun meals with your leftovers - ham quiche, ham soup, or tasty sandwiches are all great ideas.

Ready to order your Christmas ham? Visit our shop to see all our options. Order early to make sure you get the ham you want. Have questions? Get in touch - we're happy to help!

From all of us at Pryde Butchery, we hope you have a tasty and happy Christmas full of good food and fun times with your loved ones. May your holiday table be full, your ham be delicious, and your celebrations be merry and bright!