Country Ham with Truffle Jus
A Truffle a Day — Day 12
Country ham is a staple of the American South. Usually thought of as a breakfast meat, it can adorn any dish, even one whose main ingredient is chocolate! Use interchangeably with Italian prosciutto, backing off on any salt you would usually add to other ingredients of your dish, as the ham will add much of that element.
Ingredients:
Several slices of country ham
Water, beer, broth or wine (enough to deglaze pan)
¹∕ ³ ounce grated truffle plus extra for shaving
OPTIONAL ADDITIONS
1–2 eggs per person (stored overnight with truffles)
1 head of cabbage
Several potatoes
Pasta of choice
Grits of choice
Preparation:
Fry up some country ham in a skillet. Serve atop a fresh-fried egg or a plate of boiled cabbage and potatoes, or a portion of fresh, creamy pasta or grits. Pour some liquid (water, beer, broth, wine) in the skillet to deglaze the ham essence, add a grating of truffle, and pour around the edges of your dish, or over the top if you prefer. Garnish with truffle shavings and serve with hot coffee or a hearty red wine.
A Truffle a Day is a series of one-a-day truffle recipes, excerpted from the soon-to-be-released Cooking with Truffles: A Chef’s Guide. All recipes can be prepared with or without truffles, depending on the voluptuousness of your pantry. Previous recipes include: Truffled Corn Chowder, Truffled Grits, Truffled Coffee, and Truffled French Bistro Cake.
