What do I do with a ham hock?
- Ham hocks are sometimes referred to as pork knuckles in German or Chinese foods. You can broil or deep fry a ham hock to get the skin extra crispy and super tender meat underneath. Serve with cabbage, potatoes and a beer for Oktoberfest.
Is smoked ham hock already cooked?
The answer, in short, is if it is cured, smoked or baked, ham is considered “pre-cooked,” and would not technically need to be cooked.
This includes the ham that is purchased at the deli.
In fact, most ham that is sold to consumers is already cured, smoked or baked.
Are smoked pork hocks already cooked?
Cooking with smoked ham hocks is not complicated, but, if you don’t understand the smoked hock you may not be getting the most out of the cut. The sliced type need to be cooked just as long because it’s not about getting the meat done, it’s about extracting flavor.
What is a smoked ham hock?
A ham hock (or hough) or pork knuckle is the joint between the tibia/fibula and the metatarsals of the foot of a pig, where the foot was attached to the hog’s leg. It is the portion of the leg that is neither part of the ham proper nor the ankle or foot (trotter), but rather the extreme shank end of the leg bone.
How do you cook a already smoked ham?
Cut the ham free from the package, cover it in foil and reheat it to a good serving temperature. Cooking it at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes per pound should do the trick, depending on the type of ham (whole or half, bone-in or no bone ― these specifics are outlined here).
Are ham hocks bad for you?
Seven grams of the fat in a serving of smoked ham hocks are saturated fat — the “bad” type of fat — although research published in the October 2010 issue of the medical journal “Lipids” notes that eating saturated fats alone is not enough to cause medical problems such as coronary heart disease.
Do you need to soak ham hock?
Most ham hocks are smoked and cured and taste very salty. To reduce the salt level and to remove any impurities, a long washing or soaking is needed before using the ham hock in cooking. Rinse the ham hock completely after washing. Place the ham hocks into the pot and add water until they are completely submerged.
Do you remove skin from ham hock?
Removing the ham rind
- Using a small sharp knife cut through the skin/rind 10cm from the top of the hock (or knuckle end of the leg)
- Start to remove the skin from the ham by sliding the knife between the skin and fat.
- Run your clean fingers (or a knife) under the skin and gently peel back the skin/ring to leave a layer of fat.
Can you eat smoked pork hocks?
They don’t yield much edible meat, but they contain a ton of flavor that can be infused into an intensely flavored stock. What you’ll want to do is put your ham hocks, some onion and a few whole cloves of garlic into a pot and cover them with cold water.
What can I use in place of a ham hock?
If you don’t have ham hocks you can substitute:
- A smoked pork shank which is usually meatier.
- OR – If you don’t wish to eat pork, Emeril suggests substituting smoked turkey legs.
- OR – Otherwise you can substitute equal amounts of smoked ham.
- OR – Smoked sausage.
- OR – Smoked bacon.
Can you eat ham hocks?
In fact the hock meat remains so tender and delicious that it can be served as-is with some salt and pepper.
What’s the difference between a ham hock and a pork hock?
Ham hocks are from the rear leg of a pig. Pork hocks can come from either the front or the rear. You can use them the same. Smoked hocks are even more delicious If you have access to them.
Are ham hocks always smoked?
You can buy them fresh, but hocks are typically cured with salt and smoked—that’s what gives them that delicious, bacon-y flavor. In general, ham hocks are not hard to find. They’re available in most grocery stores and butcher shops. Many times, they’re sold in pairs.