Country ham and redeye gravy is a classic Southern dish that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. This savory combination of salty ham and rich, flavorful gravy is a staple at many family gatherings and holiday meals. The ham is typically cured in a salt brine and then smoked, giving it a unique and distinctive flavor. The redeye gravy is made by deglazing the pan in which the ham was cooked with coffee and water, creating a rich and complex sauce. With its smoky, salty, and slightly sweet flavors, country ham and redeye gravy is a dish that is sure to please everyone at the table.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
GEORGIA COUNTRY HAM AND REDEYE GRAVY
As a child, I remember my grandparents having a smokehouse. In the dead of winter, when it was well below freezing, a hog would be slaughtered and no part of it wasted. The fresh hams were then covered in a dry salt mixture, wrapped, and hung up for several months to cure. To cook, they were sliced and pan fried, sometimes with a tiny bit of lard, in a hot, black iron skillet. Hot, usually breakfast, coffee was poured into the skillet to deglaze it, making red eye gravy. Redeye Gravy gets its name from the appearance of the gravy after the coffee sinks to the bottom. Serve over biscuits or grits.
Provided by Skunkee
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Gravy Recipes Pork Gravy
Time 16m
Yield 1
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Melt butter in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add ham; cook until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Remove ham from skillet, reserving fat. Pour coffee into the pan, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Bring to a boil. Serve gravy over the ham.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 238.4 calories, Cholesterol 73.7 mg, Fat 24.2 g, Protein 5.8 g, SaturatedFat 15 g, Sodium 520.1 mg
COUNTRY HAM AND REDEYE GRAVY
Provided by Food Network
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Slowly fry ham slices on both sides, in a cast iron skillet until lightly browned on each side. Transfer the slices to a heated plate.
- Add coffee to the skillet and, over high heat, boil it down, scraping the deglazings on the
- the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon.
- Reduce the liquid to almost a glaze and spoon over ham slices. Serve with something mild and traditional like boiled rice or grits.
COUNTRY HAM AND REDEYE GRAVY
Every "old time" Southern cook has their version of this one. This is how my Mom taught me to prepare this breakfast treat. To this day, if the country ham has been cured properly for at least a year, I would rather have it on my plate than any other meat (including steak). We always had a country ham breakfast on Christmas...
Provided by David Reeves
Categories Meat Breakfast
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- 1. FRYING THE HAM Trim off fat from country ham slices and render in hot skillet. When fat is crisp, remove the pieces and discard leaving the liquid in the skillet.
- 2. With medium heat, lightly brown each side of the country ham, 3-4 minutes per side. Do not overcook as the ham will become tough. Note: If the ham is too salty for your tastes, pour a cup of water in the skillet as you fry it and it will draw some of the saltiness out.
- 3. Remove ham slices and drain on paper towels. Serve warm.
- 4. MAKING THE GRAVY Retain 3/4 cup of the grease in the skillet.
- 5. Add the coffee and water and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 6. Pour on hot biscuits and enjoy!
Tips:
- Choose the right ham. A good country ham will be dry-cured and aged for at least 12 months. Look for a ham that is firm and has a deep red color.
- Soak the ham before cooking. This will help to remove some of the saltiness and make the ham more tender.
- Cook the ham slowly. This will help to ensure that the ham is cooked evenly and does not become dry.
- Make sure the ham is cooked to the right internal temperature. The safe internal temperature for ham is 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let the ham rest before carving. This will help to redistribute the juices and make the ham easier to carve.
- Serve the ham with your favorite sides. Mashed potatoes, green beans, and cornbread are all classic choices.
Conclusion:
Fried country ham can be a bit intimidating if you've never made it before, but even complete beginners will find that this recipe is easy to follow. Whether it's breakfast, brunch, or dinner, a country ham with redeye gravy is a hearty and delicious meal perfect for any time of day. Try some if you haven't!
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