You solely want a number of pantry staple substances to make a incredible, filling, and flavorful Nation Ham with Crimson Eye Gravy for a superb ole southern breakfast!
A CLASSIC SOUTHERN DINNER RECIPE
Nation Ham with Crimson Eye Gravy is a basic Southern breakfast that’s assured to wake you up and get you going! This mouthwatering mixture of salt-cured ham and low gravy has been a favourite for generations. It’s a filling, hearty, straightforward consolation meal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S):
Nation ham is a sort of cured ham that could be a staple in Southern delicacies. It’s created from the hind leg of a pig and undergoes a prolonged curing course of that includes rubbing the meat with salt, sugar, and different seasonings. The ham is then hung to dry and age for a number of months, which permits the flavors to develop and intensify. Nation ham is understood for its wealthy, salty, and barely smoky style.
Crimson Eye Gravy (typically referred to as Poor Man’s Gravy or Ham Gravy) is a conventional Southern darkish, skinny gravy that’s served with nation ham. The gravy is made by deglazing the pan after cooking the ham, utilizing sturdy black espresso. The espresso provides a novel and daring taste to the gravy, making it an ideal pairing with the saltiness of the ham. When you don’t like espresso then you definitely gained’t like Crimson Eye Gravy. I suppose you would substitute with a low sodium beef broth however then it’s now not purple eye gravy.
Some say it’s referred to as that to assist get up your drained purple eyes within the morning (due to the espresso added), and a few say it’s as a result of the ham and gravy appear to be a purple eye. Personally, I feel it’s the drained eyes rationalization as a result of this may absolutely get you going within the morning!
The ham slices are normally offered in vacuum sealed packaging so that you typically gained’t discover it within the chilly part, it could be on a separate stand close to the meat part and typically it may be positioned within the refrigerated part with the opposite meats.
Whether it is raw nation ham, it is going to be within the chilly part. Regardless, I all the time maintain mine saved within the fridge. Except you’re from an space the place nation ham is frequent like the place I dwell, it’ll nearly all the time be cooked ham. However both approach, this recipe works with each cooked and raw.
Nation Ham slices can come “cooked” and “raw” – they’ve each been preserved and cured with salt however one has gone via the extra cooking course of (normally they’re smoked).
Typically the packaging is not going to say “raw”, it’ll simply say “able to prepare dinner” and that allows you to understand it must be cooked first. Within the case of this recipe, we’re frying it up anyway and it doesn’t matter which one you get, they may each style incredible and the recipe directions gained’t change.
When you can’t discover nation ham close to you, you should purchase it on-line and there are many nice choices. I normally simply get what’s on sale at my grocery retailer however my desire is the Virginia model nation hams since that’s the place I’m from and what I grew up with however they could be a bit extra dear than others. Virginia is understood for his or her ham so I feel they get a bit of “excessive on the hog” – actually. Listed here are some nation ham slices to take a look at (you should purchase complete hams too):
Raw ham slices: Edwards Raw Virginia Ham Slices
Cooked ham slices: Kites Cooked Virginia Ham Slices or Edwards Cooked Virginia Ham Slices.
The milk soak actually does assist to get a number of the salt out of the ham. It’s also possible to use water if desired however I feel the milk does a greater job and that’s how I used to be taught. I choose to soak first, in any other case, it’s too salty and who desires a mouthful of tremendous salty ham? However, in the event you prefer it fairly salty, the soaking is non-compulsory, so do as your style buds choose.
Usually, I could be fairly lenient with substitutions, however not with this recipe. I’ve to emphasize that it’s simply not Nation Ham and Crimson Eye Gravy with out the nation ham. You may presumably use a ham steak however it’s simply not going to provide the similar taste in any respect. So, if attainable, stick with the Nation Ham.
I need to stress that Crimson Eye Gravy shouldn’t be a conventional thick gravy. It’s meant to be skinny. Nonetheless, in the event you just like the gravy barely thickened, you possibly can whisk in 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch into the water after which flip the warmth up as you whisk and it’s best to begin to see it thicken.
Maintain leftovers within the fridge for as much as 3 days, freeze for as much as 3 months. The gravy texture might change as soon as frozen and thawed.
You’ll be able to reheat by putting the whole lot again into the pan and simmer till heat once more. When you microwave it, it could possibly come out rubbery and hard.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- nation ham slices – see the FAQ part above on the place to search out nation ham.
- milk – or lukewarm water. Milk does a greater job at drawing out that additional salt.
- bacon grease – in the event you’re out of bacon grease, butter will work right here (simply don’t use margarine unfold.)
- black espresso – plain black espresso. Don’t use a flavored espresso. Nobody desires a hazelnut flavored purple eye gravy – in fact possibly some do however I suppose that’s as much as you.
- water – that is simply going for use to dilute the espresso a bit.
- black pepper and salt – I actually don’t suppose you’ll need to add salt to the gravy however everybody has completely different tastes so I’ll go away that as much as your tastebuds.
HOW TO MAKE COUNTRY HAM WITH RED EYE GRAVY
Reduce the ham slices into smaller serving slices. Place them in a baking dish or plastic bag and pour within the milk; be certain the ham is coated. Cowl and place within the fridge for 2-4 hours. Take the ham out of the milk and dry effectively with paper towels.
In a big skillet over medium warmth, soften the butter and sear the ham in batches, 2-3 minutes per facet, till browned, don’t crowd the pan. Place the seared ham on a plate whilst you make the gravy.
Pour the espresso into the pan to deglaze it, and scrape off all of the browned bits from the underside of the pan.
Add the water and black pepper and simmer for about 5 minutes till barely lowered and thickened. Style the gravy and add salt if wanted.
Serve instantly with the ham.
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Reduce 12 ounces nation ham slices into smaller serving slices. Place them in a baking dish or plastic bag and pour in 1/2 cup milk; be certain the ham is coated. Cowl and place within the fridge for 2-4 hours.
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Take the ham out of the milk and dry effectively with paper towels.
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In a big skillet over medium warmth, soften 2 Tablespoons bacon grease (or unsalted butter) and sear the ham in batches, 2-3 minutes per facet, till browned, don’t crowd the pan. Place the seared ham on a plate whilst you make the gravy.
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Pour 1/2 cup black espresso into the pan to deglaze it, and scrape off all of the browned bits from the underside of the pan.
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Add 1/2 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and simmer for about 5 minutes till barely lowered and thickened.
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Style the gravy and add salt, to style (you in all probability will not need to add salt however everybody has completely different tastes.)
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Serve instantly with the ham.
- Please consult with my FAQ’s (Often Requested Questions) and ingredient checklist above for different substitutions or for the solutions to the commonest questions.
Energy: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 19g | Fats: 21g | Sodium: 1026mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1g
“The Nation Cook dinner” shouldn’t be a dietician or nutritionist, and any dietary info shared is an estimate. If calorie depend and different dietary values are necessary to you, we suggest operating the substances via whichever on-line dietary calculator you favor. Energy and different dietary values can range fairly a bit relying on which manufacturers have been used.
