Pub Style Gammon and Chips with Cola Ketchup

the proper pub grub we’ve all been missing…

I cannot tell you how much I’ve been missing my local pub these past few months. It’s a tiny local boozer, but honestly, great things come in small packages; it’s blessed with a brilliant chef – and best of all? It’s pretty much right on my doorstep. Under normal circumstances (remember normal?) when I take Bungle for his evening walk, the smell of chips and pub curries and steaks (you know, proper pub grub) escaping from its walls and windows is just in-credible… and so it’s been kind of sad walking past these last few months and gazing at its dark windows and closed doors with the air completely unscented. I’ve missed it. SO much! And I can’t wait for it open its doors again. Unfortunately, it looks like it’s still going to be a while; although England is set to reopen pubs, cafes and restaurants in early July, Wales is a little but further behind when it comes to loosening lockdown.

So, craving a bit of good old pub grub, I tried to replicate one of my all time favourite bar orders at home. Good old Gammon, Egg and Chips. Instead of using Gammon Steaks, however, I picked up a Gammon Joint and slowly cooked it for an hour in cola and various other cupboard ingredients to make sliced gammon that’s both juicy, sweet and smoky (nothing chewy about this hunk of meat). The dregs make for a fabulous cola ketchup, and this pub plate wouldn’t be complete without a side of chunky homemade steak chips. Any leftover gammon and ketchup keeps well in the fridge for 5 days and makes for some tasty sandwiches. 😉

Pub Style Gammon and Chips with Cola Ketchup

serves 4

Ingredients

For the Gammon and Cola Ketchup:

• 750g gammon joint
• 2 shallots, roughly chopped
• 1 clove of smoked garlic, mashed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 large tomatoes
• 1 litre of cola (non diet)
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp worcester sauce
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp cornflower

For the Chips:

• 4 large maris piper potatoes, peeled
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 tbsp coarse sea salt

To serve:

• Fresh Pineapple
• Peas
• Fried Tomato halves
• Fried Egg

Method

1. Add the olive oil and garlic to a large, deep pot and lightly fry on a medium heat until golden. Add the chopped shallots and fry them until they soften and start to brown. Add the tomatoes, frying lightly until they soften and start to burst.
2. Remove any wrappings and trimmings from the gammon and then add it to the pot. Brown the gammon – turning it regularly to colour and seal every surface.
3. Next, add the Cola, tomato paste, soy sauce, worcester sauce and maple syrup. Bring to the boil – stirring around the gammon (lightly puncture and press the tomatoes to release their juice) – then turn down the heat and reduce to a simmer. Pop on the lid and leave everything to cook for one hour.
4. While the gammon’s cooking, prepare your pub style chips. Slice the peeled potatoes into chunky chip shapes, then chuck them in a saucepan with plenty of cold water and salt. Turn the heat up and bring the pot to the boil – allowing it bubble for 5 minutes. By that time the chips should be soft but still hold shape.
5. Transfer the chips to a foil lined baking tray with the sunflower oil and sea salt. Toss them, coating them in the oil and salt and then spread them out evenly and leave to cool.
6. Once the gammon’s got 15 minutes left on the clock, pop the chips in the oven for 30 minutes at 200°C.
7. Once the gammon times out, remove it from the pot and leave it to rest under some foil for 15 minutes before carving and serving.
8. To make the cola ketchup, blitz the remaining ingredients in the pot until smooth. Whisk in a tablespoon of cornflower to thicken it up over a low heat, then leave to cool.
9. Serve the gammon and chips with fresh peas, pineapple, fried tomatoes and a fried egg. 🙂

Have a lovely week everyone! 🙂