Nation Ham with Crimson Eye Gravy

You simplest want a couple of pantry staple components to make an out of this world, filling, and flavorful Nation Ham with Crimson Eye Gravy for a excellent ole southern breakfast!

A CLASSIC SOUTHERN BREAKFAST RECIPE

Nation Ham with Crimson Eye Gravy is a vintage Southern breakfast this is assured to wake you up and get you going! This mouthwatering mixture of salt-cured ham and occasional gravy has been a favourite for generations. It’s a filling, hearty, simple convenience meal.

A white dinner plate with some Country Ham and Red Eye Gravy.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S):

What’s Nation Ham?

Nation ham is one of those cured ham that could be a staple in Southern delicacies. It’s created from the hind leg of a pig and undergoes a long curing procedure that comes to rubbing the beef with salt, sugar, and different seasonings. The ham is then hung to dry and age for a number of months, which permits the flavors to expand and accentuate. Nation ham is understood for its wealthy, salty, and quite smoky style.

What’s Crimson Eye Gravy and why is it known as that?

Crimson Eye Gravy (often referred to as Deficient Guy’s Gravy or Ham Gravy) is a conventional Southern darkish, skinny gravy this is served with nation ham. The gravy is made via deglazing the pan after cooking the ham, the usage of sturdy black espresso. The espresso provides a novel and impressive taste to the gravy, making it an excellent pairing with the saltiness of the ham. If you happen to don’t like espresso then you definately gained’t like Crimson Eye Gravy. I guess it’s essential to exchange with a low sodium pork broth however then it’s not purple eye gravy.
Some say it’s known as that to assist get up your drained purple eyes within the morning (on account of the espresso added), and a few say it’s since the ham and gravy appear to be a purple eye. In my opinion, I feel it’s the drained eyes rationalization as a result of this would certainly get you going within the morning!

The place do I in finding Nation Ham within the grocery retailer?

The ham slices are in most cases bought in vacuum sealed packaging so that you occasionally gained’t in finding it within the chilly segment, it can be on a separate stand close to the beef segment and occasionally it may be positioned within the refrigerated segment with the opposite meats.
Whether it is raw nation ham, it’ll be within the chilly segment. Regardless, I all the time stay mine saved within the fridge. Except you’re from a space the place nation ham is commonplace like the place I reside, it’ll virtually all the time be cooked ham. However both approach, this recipe works with each cooked and raw.

What sort of Nation Ham do I need to use?

Nation Ham slices can come “cooked” and “raw” – they’ve each been preserved and cured with salt however one has long past via the extra cooking procedure (in most cases they’re smoked).
Every so often the packaging won’t say “raw”, it’ll simply say “able to cook dinner” and that permits you to realize it must be cooked first. Relating to this recipe, we’re frying it up anyway and it doesn’t subject which one you get, they are going to each style unbelievable and the recipe directions gained’t trade.

Can I purchase a rustic ham on-line?

If you’ll be able to’t in finding nation ham close to you, you’ll be able to purchase it on-line and there are many nice choices. I in most cases simply get what’s on sale at my grocery retailer however my choice is the Virginia logo nation hams since that’s the place I’m from and what I grew up with however they are able to be just a little extra expensive than others. Virginia is understood for his or her ham so I feel they get a bit “prime at the hog” – actually. Listed here are some nation ham slices to take a look at (you’ll be able to purchase entire hams too):
Raw ham slices: Edwards Raw Virginia Ham Slices
Cooked ham slices: Kites Cooked Virginia Ham Slices or Edwards Cooked Virginia Ham Slices.

Why do I wish to soak the ham first?

The milk soak truly does assist to get probably the most salt out of the ham. You’ll be able to additionally use water if desired however I feel the milk does a greater process and that’s how I used to be taught. I wish to soak first, in a different way, it’s too salty and who desires a mouthful of tremendous salty ham? However, when you love it beautiful salty, the soaking is not obligatory, so do as your style buds desire.

Can I take advantage of a unique ham with the Crimson Eye Gravy?

Most often, I will be beautiful lenient with substitutions, however now not with this recipe. I’ve to fret that it’s simply now not Nation Ham and Crimson Eye Gravy with out the rustic ham. It is advisable in all probability use a ham steak however it’s simply now not going to provide the similar taste in any respect. So, if conceivable, persist with the Nation Ham.

How can I thicken my gravy?

I should tension that Crimson Eye Gravy isn’t a conventional thick gravy. It’s intended to be skinny. On the other hand, when you just like the gravy quite thickened, you’ll be able to whisk in 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch into the water after which flip the warmth up as you whisk and also you must begin to see it thicken.

What to serve with Nation Ham and Crimson Eye Gravy?

I love it served with grits and biscuits.

What to do with leftover Nation Ham and Gravy?

Stay leftovers within the refrigerator for as much as 3 days, freeze for as much as 3 months. The gravy texture might trade as soon as frozen and thawed.

Tips on how to reheat ham and gravy?

You’ll be able to reheat via hanging the whole thing again into the pan and simmer till heat once more. If you happen to microwave it, it could actually pop out rubbery and hard.

Gravy being poured on a serving of Country Ham and Red Eye Gravy on a plate.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

nation ham slices – see the FAQ segment above on the place to seek out nation ham.
milk – or lukewarm water. Milk does a greater process at drawing out that additional salt.
bacon grease – when you’re out of bacon grease, butter will paintings right here (simply don’t use margarine unfold.)
black espresso – simple black espresso. Don’t use a flavored espresso. No person desires a hazelnut flavored purple eye gravy – in fact possibly some do however I guess that’s as much as you.
water – that is simply going for use to dilute the espresso just a little.
black pepper and salt – I truly don’t assume you’ll need to upload salt to the gravy however everybody has other tastes so I can go away that as much as your tastebuds.

Country ham slices, salt, pepper, butter, milk, water, and black coffee.

HOW TO MAKE COUNTRY HAM WITH RED EYE GRAVY

Minimize the ham slices into smaller serving slices. Position them in a baking dish or plastic bag and pour within the milk; make certain the ham is lined. Duvet and position within the refrigerator for 2-4 hours. Take the ham out of the milk and dry neatly with paper towels.

collage of two photos: ham slices soaking in milk; Ham slices being dried by paper towels.

In a big skillet over medium warmth, soften the butter and sear the ham in batches, 2-3 mins in keeping with facet, till browned, don’t crowd the pan. Position the seared ham on a plate whilst you’re making the gravy.

collage of two photos: ham cooking in melted butter in a pan; fried ham slices on a plate.

Pour the espresso into the pan to deglaze it, and scrape off all of the browned bits from the ground of the pan.

collage of two photos: melted butter with leftover country ham bits in a pan; pouring coffee into pan.

Upload the water and black pepper and simmer for roughly 5 mins till quite decreased and thickened. Style the gravy and upload salt if wanted.

collage of two photos: adding water to pan with coffee; gravy mixture slightly cooked and reduced.

Serve instantly with the ham.

A plate of Country Ham and Red Eye Gravy.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Gravy being poured from a gravy boat onto a serving of Country Ham.

Cook dinner ModeSave you your display from going darkish

Minimize 12 oz. nation ham slices into smaller serving slices. Position them in a baking dish or plastic bag and pour in 1/2 cup milk; make certain the ham is lined. Duvet and position within the refrigerator for 2-4 hours.
Take the ham out of the milk and dry neatly with paper towels.
In a big skillet over medium warmth, soften 2 Tablespoons bacon grease (or unsalted butter) and sear the ham in batches, 2-3 mins in keeping with facet, till browned, don’t crowd the pan. Position the seared ham on a plate whilst you’re making the gravy.
Pour 1/2 cup black espresso into the pan to deglaze it, and scrape off all of the browned bits from the ground of the pan.
Upload 1/2 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and simmer for roughly 5 mins till quite decreased and thickened.
Style the gravy and upload salt, to style (you almost certainly would possibly not need to upload salt however everybody has other tastes.)
Serve instantly with the ham.

Please check with my FAQ’s (Ceaselessly Requested Questions) and element checklist above for different substitutions or for the solutions to the most typical questions.

Route: Breakfast, Brunch

Delicacies: American, Southern

“The Nation Cook dinner” isn’t a dietician or nutritionist, and any dietary data shared is an estimate. If calorie rely and different dietary values are necessary to you, we propose working the components via whichever on-line dietary calculator you favor. Energy and different dietary values can range reasonably just a little relying on which manufacturers had been used.