Swedish Christmas Ham (Julskinka)
- 12 lbs fresh ham (not cooked or cured or smoked- just raw pig leg)
- Cure
- 1 cup salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon saltpeter
- Brine
- 6 quarts water
- 3 cups salt
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons saltpeter
- To Cook
- 2 bay leaves
- 10 peppercorns
- 10 allspice berries
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon mustard powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
- Combine 1 cup salt, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/2 tablespoon of saltpeter. Massage this mixture all over the ham, coating the entire surface well.
- Place the ham in a food-safe container large enough to hold it, cover, and place in a very cool place for 3 days turning occasionally. (In the old days, a wooden or stone container would be used; I use a large bucket lined with an extra large zip top bag.).
- On the third day, bring the water to a boil, add the salt, sugar and saltpeter. Once the salt has dissolved, remove from the heat and cool.
- Pour the brine over the ham- it should be completely covered.
- ***If you don't have enough to cover, make more brine, using 1/2 cup salt and 1 tablespoon sugar for each quart of water. The amount you need will vary depending on the size of the ham and the size of the container you use.
- Cover the container, put it in a cool place, and leave for 10 days.
- After it has sat for 10 days, remove from the brine, and wipe well.
- Place fat side up in a pot of boiling water, covering the ham completely.
- Bring the water back to a boil, add the bay leaves, peppercorns and allspice berries, and cover.
- Simmer for 3 hours, or until tender.
- Remove from the cooking pot and take off the skin. Using a cloth, wipe off all of the loose fat. Place back in the water, and let cool.
- Preheat the oven to 350u0b0F.
- Combine the egg white, mustard powder and sugar.
- Remove the ham from the water, pat dry, and coat with the egg white mixture.
- Sprinkle with the bread crumbs, patting them to ensure they stick to the egg coating.
- Place in the oven, and let bake until the bread crumbs are golden brown.
- Let cool completely, and slice to serve.
ham, salt, sugar, saltpeter, brine, water, salt, sugar, saltpeter, bay leaves, peppercorns, berries, egg, mustard powder, sugar, fresh breadcrumbs
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/swedish-christmas-ham-julskinka-469673 (may not work)