I would be curious why you were not pleased with the Smithfield?
I've used both the Smithfield, HoneyBaked (Over Priced IMO) and a Bryan's (I think) all were pretty good for what they are...
A little more trouble, but well worth the effort IMO is to buy an whole bone-in ham..or a butt portion. Cook (225*-250*) on your BBQ Pit/Grill.. set up for indirect heat until you get between 135*140*...Pull, double foil, and let it rest for an hour or more....Slice to your desired thickness...Scraps, bone etc. can be frozen and saved for later use as seasoning meat in vegetables, soups etc. The bone itself is a gimme to make a ham stock for Red Beans & Rice....Some people call this method of cooking..."Double Smoked"
Enjoy!
Uncle Bob,
It was the texture of the ham that disappointed me. It was moist, and I brought it up to temperature slowly, but the pig that the ham came from must have been fed a diet of rubber tires. The meat was tough.
I have had Honey Baked before, and they do make a very good ham. They cost so much, though.
I heard about a company called Schaul's that has a tasty ham that was rated very good at the New York Food and Wine Show. The price isn't bad. If I get it, I promise to report back to you.
I have looked for the Cooks Hams in the stores in my neighborhood, and can't find them.
Uncle Bob,
It was the texture of the ham that disappointed me. It was moist, and I brought it up to temperature slowly, but the pig that the ham came from must have been fed a diet of rubber tires. The meat was tough.
I have had Honey Baked before, and they do make a very good ham. They cost so much, though.
I heard about a company called Schaul's that has a tasty ham that was rated very good at the New York Food and Wine Show. The price isn't bad. If I get it, I promise to report back to you.
I have looked for the Cooks Hams in the stores in my neighborhood, and can't find them.
We have found the Carando spiral sliced ham to be very similar in taste to the Honey Baked brand and very tasty. Visit Carando.com . Their specialty is Italian but their hams are traditional.
Andy,
There is a grocery store near me that has this ham on sale. I had never heard of it until your post. I think I'm going to get one for my son and do a comparison taste test...
I like Kansas City Steak Company spiral cut ham. It is not
pumped with water and has a nice smoky flavor.
I know what you mean about the meat being tough (chewy) --- On a rare occasion or two I have run across that problem...It can be disappointing -- However I wouldn't give up on Smithfield...Their products are normally very good...As are the (Over priced IMO) Honey Baked...In my area the Cooks hams or mostly used around Holidays as "Promotional Hams" --- Front page, low price leader --- In store obvioiusly they have other pricer (better?) hams. I've never heard of the Schaul's, but I look forward to your report should you choose that route...I used to be able to buy a Bryan's Ham locally that was awesome -- Whole, Bone in, etc, that I would "double smoke" It gave me a somewhat more dense texture..Still moist and tender, but not that "mushy" "spongy" texture that some of the Water(added) Cured hams can have at times. I have enjoyed the Spirial Cut hams, but at the end of the day I"m like Miss Patty1 -- Give me the "Old Fashion" whole, bone-in ham...
Enjoy!