How to Make Baked Gammon With Braised Fresh Pineapple

Baked gammon with pineapple chunks combines typical Chinese ingredients like star anise, palm sugar and Chinese beer with flavors found in more continental cuisines like cinnamon, Dijon mustard, brown sugar and cucumber to create a fusion dish with complex and refined sweet and savory tastes. Baked gammon with pineapple chunks makes an excellent weekend meal, or a quick dinner on a night when you want something a bit more special. Serve with a cold Chinese beer, fresh green salad and a bowl of wild rice.

Things You'll Need

• 3 lb. gammon, center cut
• Large saucepan
• 750 ml. Chinese beer
• 1/3 tsp. star anise
• 1/3 tsp. cinnamon
• 6 cloves, whole
• 1 oz. palm sugar
• Large roasting pan
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. honey
• 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 2 cups pineapple chunks
• 16 cucumber slices (optional)

Instructions

1. Put the gammon in a large saucepan with the beer, star anise, cinnamon, cloves and palm sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 70-80 minutes or until the meat is tender and can be pulled apart with a fork. Leave the gammon to cool for 75 minutes at room temperature. Drain the gammon and pat dry with disposable paper towels. Transfer to a large roasting pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard and orange juice in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens, about 12-15 minutes.

3. Remove the skin from the gammon. Brush the meat with the sauce in the saucepan and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes.

4. Remove the gammon from the oven and place the pineapple over and around the sides of the meat. Put the roasting pan back in the oven and continue to cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, basting with the juices from the bottom of the pan every 2-3 minutes. Remove the pan and let it cool for 20-25 minutes. Garnish with cucumber slices or fresh pineapple if you wish.

Tips & Warnings

• Gammon is a smoked pork product made from the leg of the pig much like ham. Gammon however, is not cut from the body of the pig until after the curing process.

• Make sure the gammon does not cook too much in the last steps. Check the bottom of the meat to make sure it is not burning, and stir the pineapple chunks regularly to prevent sticking.

References

• Astray Gammon Recipe
• Just Game Recipes

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Chinese Food Recipes
• All Recipes - Chinese Food Recipes