Can you use smoked ham hocks in split pea soup?
It’s usually smoked, and can be enjoyed as-is in all its fatty chewy smokey glory, but its true super power is its ability to make any liquid you boil it in taste wickedly good. In short, the best possible way to make split pea soup requires you to use a smoked ham hock.
Is smoked ham hock already cooked?
Ham hocks may be fully cooked or uncooked, depending on how they’re produced. Cooked hocks usually say “fully cooked” or “double-smoked” somewhere on the package. If the hock is still vacuum-sealed in its original packaging, you can keep it refrigerated for two weeks or until its “use-by” date, whichever comes first.
How do you make split pea and ham hock soup?
In a large saucepan, saute onion, celery and carrots over medium-high heat. Add peas and ham hock and cover with stock by a couple inches. Bring to a simmer and cook about 1 hour until soup is thick and peas have almost disintegrated but not quite. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
How do you use a smoked ham hock?
Ham hocks need to simmer for a long time in order to soften and impart flavor, so they’re best used in dishes that cook low and slow. (They’re actually a popular dish served at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, where they’re slow-roasted to crisp up the skin and then served over cabbage or with potatoes).
How long does smoked ham hocks take to cook?
Let the ham hocks simmer for 2 to 4 hours. You can leave the pot uncovered, or cover it with a lid if you want the ham hocks to cook faster. If you do cover the pot, check on it every 30 minutes or so to make sure that the water stays at a simmer and doesn’t begin to boil over the sides.
Do you remove skin from ham hock before cooking?
A hock is not fatty but can be made tender from all the collagen that breaks down during cooking. Best of all, the whole thing is covered in skin, and as I always say, the more skin, the better.
How do you cook already smoked ham hocks?
Cooking ham hocks couldn’t be easier. To make perfect homemade ham hocks, saute the hocks in a skillet over medium heat, making sure to get them crispy and brown. Pour in some vegetable broth (plus any desired seasonings), then cover the skillet and pop it in the oven for 2 to 3 hours.
How long does it take to boil smoked ham hocks?
Once you’ve added the ham hocks and any other desired ingredients to the pot, turn the stovetop on high. Leave the temperature on high until the water reaches a boil. Let the ham hocks simmer for 2 to 4 hours.
How long does it take for smoked ham hocks to cook?
Let the ham hocks simmer for 2 to 4 hours. The exact cooking time will vary depending on how many ham hocks you’re cooking, how big they are, and the water temperature. Therefore, it can be helpful to begin checking on the meat after 2 hours to make sure they don’t overcook.
Do you eat the skin of ham hocks?
Do you have to soak ham hocks?
Check out these five pro tips for cooking smoked ham hocks to perfection: Soak out the salt: Soaking the ham hocks in cold water for at least half an hour or more before cooking them will help draw out excess sodium so they don’t overwhelm your palate with salt.
Can you eat the meat from a ham hock?
Unlike bacon or pancetta, hocks are not especially meaty, which is why they’re a great addition to long-cooked things—soups, of course, but also pots of beans, braised greens, and beef or poultry stocks. They need all of that time to get nice and tender.