Ham is like a family tradition in my house. Whether it is Thanksgiving or Sunday morning breakfast, ham always hits the spot and it’s something that almost every single person can agree on. Just growing up I can remember so many times when ham was on the family table. Ham and eggs, ham and cheese omelets, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, ham steak, ham with beef gravy (or without), the list goes on and on.
Buying ham in a grocery store can be a funny thing. A lot of the commercially based, store and brand name hams have a tendency to taste the same. Sure, we always buy a Virginia ham or a Smoked ham, but generally speaking you don’t find too many differences between the standard brands. Still, when I hear the term Old Fashioned Smoked Ham it sets my mouth to watering. This led me to requesting a sample of Nueske’s Old Fashioned Smoked Ham, which was positively the best ham I have ever had in my life!
My mother can be the biggest skeptic when it comes to anything mail order. I don’t know if she just likes making me cook (which I don’t mind) or if she thinks that most foods cannot withstand the mailing process, but she tends to have problems with most mail order foods we receive. I knew that this and the other Nueske products we receive would be a big test for her.
Most days, mom will play the role of secretary, at least when it comes to the issue of mail. As mail arrives she will open the packages and let me know what is here to test out. Normally, I won’t see too much of a reaction out of her. However, things were a little different when she opened the box for Nueske’s. She first pulled two packs of peppered bacon and some shaved beef out of the box. She sat these aside after mmm’ing at the bacon, and then she picked up the ham. She looked it over for a few minutes, as only a skeptic could, before she pulled me into the room.
She asked me if the ham in question was Spiral Ham. I told her no, knowing full well her distaste for spiral hams. She finds them to be too dry and tough no matter who cooks them or what brand they are. She asked what kind of ham it was and I let her know about Nueske’s and how this ham was applewood smoked. Thinking she would put the ham away, I went back to working on other things. Apparently, she had other plans though and opened the ham, which was cold, but not frozen, for a taste test.
She promptly comes back into me after shaving some off and tasting it. She tells me it’s the best ham she’s ever had and I must buy her more, especially for holidays. I couldn’t help but laugh. Nueske’s made quite the impression on my mom. I hadn’t even tried it at that point, but I knew it was going to be a winner. So, I went in and tried some, and I have to admit that it blew me away. I’ve never had ham that tasted so good. It made me fall in love with ham all over again.
Everything about this Old Fashioned Ham was a winner. The coloring was beautiful, the smell made me ravenously hungry, and the taste was just phenomenal. We sliced the ham up and made a variety of meals out of it, each one as delicious as the last. Preparation for the ham is simple, since it’s already cooked. You just have to warm it up in the oven for baked ham, or fry it, or slice it accordingly for other dishes. It couldn’t be easier and it’s hard to imagine it tasting any better anywhere else.
If you’re a ham lover you absolutely have to try one of these hams. My mother, one of the biggest spend-thrifts I know rarely wants to pay over $20 for a ham in the local markets around here. After trying Nueske’s she is willing to pay their prices for a ham. Speaking of prices, they are a little higher than you’ll find in a store, but they are also incredibly worth it. The prices for the Old Fashioned Smoked Hams range from $31.95 for a 3-4 pound to $79.95 for a 10-11 pound ham. Shipping costs are based on the price of your items. If you buy the small ham, your shipping will run a mere $9.95. If you buy the largest ham available it will still be fairly reasonable at $14.95.
This ham is definitely a winner. If you’re a ham lover you need to check out Nueske’s immediately. If you prefer Spiral Ham they offer some great deals. They also have bone-in hams and a delicious looking honey glazed smoked ham, as well as other ham offerings. You won’t be sorry that you checked out Nueske’s. Of course, they may ruin you for all other hams from this point on.
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Technorati Tags: Smoked Meat, Ham, Old Fashioned, Boneless, Honey Glazed, Nueske, Applewood Smoked, Mail Order, Reasonable Prices, Shipping, Delicious, Thanksgiving, Ham Lover, Mom
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i just returned from Gelson’s Market with the very last Nueske’s bone in smoked ham. it was a whopping $128.88, but judging from the butcher’s reaction (he said that he believes this ham to be the best they carry), and this review; it’s worth the price. next time i will order it online, though–it seems that Gelson’s hikes the price up about $30, standard!