Baked Ham Hock Pots are the ideal dinner if you want something warm and substantial! Featuring succulent ham hocks cooked until moist and delectable, this dish is comforting and good. The finest component is One pot holds everything, hence cleanup is easy. This recipe is not only filling but also bursting with taste using vegetables and spices. Family dinners, get-togethers, or quiet evenings at home would all fit well.
Why You’ll Love Hock Pots Made with Baked Ham
A great approach to savor a good supper without spending hours in the kitchen are baked ham hock pots. As they cook, the ham hocks tenderize and taste great; the vegetables absorb all the wonderful juices. Furthermore, this dish is quick to make and can be prepared ahead of time, which makes it ideal for hectic week evenings. It’s a fantastic way to get everyone together around the dinner table for a filling meal.
Important Lessons
- easy to create and straightforward!
- loaded in nutrition and taste.
- Great for family dinners or get-togethers.
- One can personalize it with your preferred vegetables.
- Delicious and substantial for everyone.
- One-pot dinners reduce cleaning requirements!
Making baked ham hock pots is a great approach to make a tasty dinner your family will enjoy.
Family Favorite Baked Ham Hock Pots
Everybody likes the dish baked ham hock pots. They are very delicious and consoling, hence they are ideal for sharing with friends and relatives. The items are basic and probably already in your kitchen. To make it yours, you may even include your preferred vegetables. Baked Ham Hock Pots will satisfy everyone whether it’s for a special occasion or a routine meal!
A Little about Ham Hocks
Usually used in cooking to enhance meals, ham hocks are the lower section of a pig’s leg. Rich in taste, they become somewhat soft under slow cooking. Most grocery stores carry ham hocks, which are a terrific way to create a substantial dinner without breaking the budget. Many civilizations have long-standing customs of cooking using ham hocks; they are typically found in soups, stews, and casseroles.
Ingredient Breakdown: Required Items
Making Baked Ham Hock Pots requires the following:
| Ingredient | Value |
|---|---|
| Ham hocks | Two to three sections. |
| Potatoes | 4 medium |
| Carrots | 3 big |
| Onions | 1 big |
| Garlic | 1 bulb, 3 cloves |
| Chicken broth | 4 cups |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Thyme | 1 teaspoon |
| Bay leaves | 2 leaves |
| Spice and salt and pepper | To taste |
Why These Components?
Every component in this recipe combines to provide a great and filling dinner.
- The star of the meal are ham hocks! They bake to become somewhat soft and have a deep, smokey taste.
- Potatoes take up all the delicious juices from the ham hocks and give the meal heft. Cooked they soften and become creamy.
- Carrots provide the meal color and pleasant taste. Additionally bursting with minerals and vitamins are they.
- Onions give taste and scent, so enhancing the delicious quality of the cuisine.
- Garlic is well-known for its health advantages and taste is fantastic.
- Chicken broth gives the meal additional taste and moisture. Should you so like, you can also use veggie broth.
- Olive oil brings richness and helps the vegetables to cook.
- These herbs, thyme and bay leaves, give the food a wonderful scent and taste.
- Salt and pepper improve the tastes of the other ingredients.
Step-by-Step Guide: Simple Techniques for the Perfect “Baked Ham Hock Pots”
Let us start cooking. Making your Baked Ham Hock Pots only follows these easy guidelines:
Step 1: Get Ready Your Ingredients
Washing and peeling the potatoes and carrots will start you. Cut the carrots thickly and the potatoes into cubes. Cut the onion then mince the garlic. Before you get cooking, make sure everything is ready!
Step 2: Sear the Ham Hocks
Over medium heat in a big pot or Dutch oven, warm the olive oil. Add the ham hocks once everything are heated. Sear each side for roughly three to four minutes to brown them. This stage gives the meal even more taste!
Step 3: Add the Veggies
Add the cut onion, minced garlic, potatoes, and carrots to the pot after the ham hocks brown. For a few minutes, stir everything together enough that the vegetables soak up some of the wonderful flavors.
Step 4: Ladle the Broth
Spoon the chicken stock over the vegetables and ham hocks next. See that the broth covers everything. Then add the thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir lightly to mix.
Step 5: Oven Baking
Cover the saucepan with a lid and set it in a 350°F (175°C preheated oven). Bake until the ham hocks are soft and dropping off the bone, two to two.5 hours. Your food will taste more delicious the longer you bake!
Step 6: Present and Savour!
Take great caution removing the saucepan from the oven after the ham hocks are done. Remove the ham hocks and let a few minutes cool them. Shred the meat from the bones into bite-sized bits. Revers the shredded meat back into the pot and toss everything together. Present the baked ham hock pots warm in bowls and savor!
Successful Advice
- Treat hot pots and pans carefully. Always use oven mitts!
- You could add other herbs and spices, such as rosemary or paprika, if you like extra taste.
- Before presenting, taste the broth. Add some salt or pepper if it calls for extra taste.
Advice for Creating Baked Ham Hock Pots
These suggestions will enable you to create even tastier Baked Ham Hock Pots:
- Prepare the broth the evening before and cut the vegetables ahead of time. Simply keep them refrigerated until you’re ready for cooking!
- Use left-over cooked ham rather of ham hocks if you have any. Just toss it in during the last half-hour baking session!
- To increase its nutritional value, feel free to add more veggies including celery, peas, or green beans.
- If you enjoy some spice, toss some diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes into the saucepan.
- Extra flavor garnish: For a flash of freshness, top each serving with fresh herbs like parsley or chives.
Meal Prep and Freezing Advice
Make Ahead
You can start some of the dish early on. Sort the vegetables and keep them refrigerated. One day in advance, you can fry the ham hocks as well and save them until baking is called for.
Freezing
Baked Ham Hock Pots are freezeable for use at a later date. Just let the dish cool totally before packing it into an airtight container. It keeps fresh in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight then reheat on the stove or in the oven when you’re ready to eat.
Reheating
To keep the pot moist, toss a dash of broth or water into it. Stirring now intermittently, cook it on the burner over low heat until warmed through.
Top Concepts for Additional Taste: Perfect Your “Baked Ham Hock Pots”
Want to make your meal absolutely mouthwatering? These are some interesting toppings:
- For a splash of color and taste, sprinkle fresh herbs—thyme or parsley—on top before serving.
- Cheese: For added richness, grate some cheese—such as parmesan or cheddar—over the top.
- For texture, toss crispy croutons. Your own can be made by oven toasting bread!
- If you enjoy heat, a few dashes of spicy sauce might liven things up.
- Each bowl will taste rich and tart from a dollop of sour cream.
Variations and Adaptations
Please let this recipe inspire your creativity! Here are some interesting variations:
- To get a smoky taste, toss smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke into the soup.
- Skipping the ham hocks, use mushrooms, lentils, or beans for protein in a vegetarian rendition.
- Change the broth from chicken to veggie or even beef broth for another taste.
- Add grains for extra texture and nutrition—quinoa, barley, or cooked rice.
Serving Recommendations
What Should You Serve with Your Baked Ham Hock Pots?
Though this dish is filling on its own, you may combine it with other items for a whole dinner. These are several concepts:
- Present with warm, crusty bread or rolls to help to mop up the wonderful broth.
- A light vinaigrette fresh green salad might counter the richness of the ham hock pots.
- For extra greens on the side, pair steaming vegetables—broccoli, green beans, or asparagus.
- If you enjoy potatoes, present mashed potatoes alongside for a soothing pair-off.
Keeping and Reheating Baked Ham Hock Pots
Stow leftovers in a refrigerator container for up to three days. Store additional broth separately to maintain the freshness of the dish. Just reheat it on the stove or in the microwave when you’re ready to eat, adding a dash of water or broth should it appear dry.
Conclusion
Making Baked Ham Hock Pots is really delicious, simple, and entertaining! You could have this meal with friends or family. This meal will wow you whether you’re cooking for a major occasion or just a quiet evening at home. Try it today and savor each delicious morsel!
FAQs
Is another meat I could use?
Yes! Should you lack ham hocks, hog shoulder or even chicken thighs would do.
For what length of time will leftovers last?
The meal keeps in the refrigerator for roughly three days. Just reheat before presenting.
Suppose I run out of one veggie specifically?
You could choose to omit it or apply something like this. Cooking is mostly about using imagination!
In a slow cooker, is possible?
Absolutely! Just follow the same procedures and simmer low for six to eight hours.
Can one consume ham hocks?
Indeed, correctly cooked ham hocks are safe for consumption. Many recipes call for this somewhat common component.
I could put beans in the pot.
Yes! Including beans might boost the protein content of the meal and add even more heartiness.
How best to keep leftovers?
Stow leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! The night before, you can cut the vegetables and make the broth; then, bake it when you want to eat.
You are now ready to create mouthwatering baked ham hock pots!
Baked Ham Hock Pots
Ingredients
- - 2 smoked ham hocks about 500 g each
- - 1 tablespoon olive oil
- - 1 onion chopped
- - 2 carrots peeled and chopped
- - 2 celery stalks chopped
- - 3 garlic cloves minced
- - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- - 1 bay leaf
- - 500 ml chicken or vegetable stock
- - 400 g canned diced tomatoes or fresh tomatoes, chopped
- - 2 medium potatoes peeled and diced
- - Salt and pepper to taste
- - Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- **Preheat the Oven**: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- **Sear the Ham Hocks**: In a large ovenproof pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ham hocks and sear them on all sides until browned. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Remove the ham hocks from the pot and set aside.
- **Sauté the Vegetables**: In the same pot, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- **Add Herbs and Stock**: Stir in the dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaf. Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock and add the canned diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- **Add the Ham Hocks and Potatoes**: Return the ham hocks to the pot and add the diced potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- **Bake**: Cover the pot with a lid and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for about 2 hours, or until the ham hocks are tender and the meat easily pulls away from the bone.
- **Serve**: Once cooked, remove the pot from the oven and let it cool slightly. Remove the ham hocks, shred the meat, and discard the bones and skin. Return the shredded meat to the pot and stir to combine.
- **Garnish and Enjoy**: Serve the baked ham hock pots in bowls, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy with crusty bread for dipping!
Video
Notes
- Additional Tips: You can add other vegetables such as parsnips or turnips for extra flavor and nutrition. If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mash some of the potatoes into the broth.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
