Want a hearty, comforting daisy ham boiled dinner? This classic one-pot dish is easy to make and tastes great like it did in the old days. You can make a tasty daisy ham boiled dinner at home with just a few simple ingredients and some simple steps.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll walk through choosing the right daisy ham, prepping the vegetables simmering everything to perfection, and serving up this cozy dish. Follow these tips and you’ll be enjoying tasty daisy ham boiled dinners for your family in no time!
What is Daisy Ham?
Daisy ham refers to a specific cut of cured and smoked pork shoulder It gets its name from the daisy-shaped bone found in the meat Daisy hams are milder in flavor than a traditional country ham but pack more flavor than a basic sliced ham. Their salty, smoky taste makes them ideal for boiled dinners. Look for a boneless daisy ham ranging from 3 to 5 pounds.
Picking the Perfect Vegetables
The soft, soaked vegetables that are cooked right along with the meat are part of what makes daisy ham boiled dinners so comforting. Here are some great veggie choices:
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Potatoes – Go for russets or Yukon Golds, peeled and cut into chunks
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Carrots – Peel and cut carrots into 1-inch pieces
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Celery – Slice stalks thinly on the bias
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Cabbage – Quarter and core a head of green cabbage
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Onions – Peel and quarter yellow or white onions
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Green beans – Look for fresh, trim ends
Seasoning the Pot
For flavoring, keep it simple – the salty daisy ham carries the dish. Just add:
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8 cups of water or broth to cover ingredients
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1 bay leaf
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Salt and pepper
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Other herbs like parsley, thyme or sage (optional)
Step-By-Step Cooking Method
Follow these easy steps for simmering the perfect daisy ham boiled dinner:
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Prep all vegetables and soak beans overnight if using fresh.
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Place daisy ham in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
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Add potatoes, carrots, celery, cabbage, onions and bay leaf. Return to a simmer and cook 30 minutes more until potatoes are tender.
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Add green beans and cook 10 minutes until beans are tender but still green.
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Check daisy ham internal temperature – target 145°F for safe consumption.
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Remove pot from heat. Transfer daisy ham to a platter and arrange veggies around it.
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Let rest 10 minutes before carving ham and serving. Enjoy!
Handy Daisy Ham Boiled Dinner Tips
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Add whole cloves, garlic or peppercorns to pot for extra flavor.
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Swap turnips, parsnips or rutabaga for some of the potatoes.
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Cook onions and cabbage separately first for more defined flavor.
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Use low sodium broth or add ham bone for more depth.
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Simmer gently to prevent vegetables from becoming mushy.
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Slice ham thickly so the tender meat doesn’t dry out.
Serving Suggestions
Daisy ham boiled dinner is delicious with:
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Grainy mustard for dipping ham slices
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Horseradish sauce for a kick
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Crusty bread to soak up juices
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A fresh, simple salad
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Cornbread, biscuits or Irish soda bread
Storing and Freezing Leftovers
Refrigerate leftover daisy ham in broth up to 4 days. To freeze, allow to cool completely first then:
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Cut ham off the bone and slice or chunk meat.
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Portion vegetables into freezer bags or containers.
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Add small amounts of broth to bags/containers.
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Freeze for 4-6 months. Thaw overnight when ready to reheat.
With this easy daisy ham boiled dinner recipe, you can enjoy a hearty one-pot meal with nostalgic old-fashioned flavor. The combination of salty cured daisy ham with tender vegetables creates pure comfort food magic. Enjoy this satisfying soul food!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does daisy ham taste like?
Daisy ham has a milder cured ham flavor than country ham but more flavor than a basic sliced ham. It tastes slightly salty and smoky.
Can I use a smoked ham instead?
Yes, a smoked ham or smoked pork shoulder can sub for daisy ham. Reduce simmering time since it’s already cooked.
Do I need to soak the beans overnight?
Soaking fresh green beans before adding to the pot helps them cook evenly. But you can skip this step if short on time.
What if my daisy ham boiled dinner is bland?
Add more seasoning to the pot – salt, pepper, garlic, bay leaves, etc. Or serve with bold condiments like mustard or horseradish sauce.
Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
Yes, you can convert this to a slow cooker or pressure cooker recipe. Adjust cook times and order of ingredient additions as needed.
How to Store Boiled Ham Dinner
Store the leftover ham and vegetables in separate covered containers in the fridge. They’ll last for up to five days. Put meat and vegetable slices back in a dish covered with aluminum foil and heat them in a warm oven until they’re warm all the way through.
Step 3: Drain and serve the dinner
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Take the meat and vegetables out of the water with tongs and a large slotted spoon. Place them on a cutting board. Slice the cabbage into wedges, discarding the cores. Slice the ham, and serve with a generous helping of vegetables and horseradish if desired.
Reader Tip: Save the water that was used to boil the dinner and use it in any soups or other dishes that call for broth or stock.
- For this boiled dinner, try turnips, parsnips, or sweet potatoes instead of the potatoes. If you want to add red beets, don’t let them turn the rest of the food purple. Instead, simmer them in a small pot of water.
- Spices: Cloves, cinnamon, and other common spices can be added to your ham and boiled dinner.