Can I be honest with you for a minute? I’ve never been one to pay much attention to brand names. I’ve always been a “value” kind of girl and figured if the only difference between two products was the label, why pay more for a specific brand?
I’m learning that mindset doesn’t apply to everything.
This post is sponsored by Hempler’s
A couple of years ago I tried my first Hempler’s ham. And WOW. I can honestly say I haven’t bought another brand of ham since. With a rich flavor that I hadn’t experienced with other brands, I was immediately hooked. In fact, ham went from being a “once-a-year-at-Easter-and-occasionally-as-a-sandwich-ingredient” food to a regular item on our dinner menu rotation.
After learning a little about it, I realized the difference is that Hempler’s hams are crafted in small batches with high-quality ingredients which helps maintain the authenticity of the original recipes. Large-scale factory operations often have to make adjustments that affect the end result or make ingredient substitutions to cut costs and increase profits. Hempler’s hams are cured in their own juices and smoked over natural hardwoods, resulting in a flavor you won’t find anywhere else.
They’re also super easy and hands-off to prepare, so you can be assured that your ham will turn out perfect every time.
Hempler’s offers several varieties of hams, including:
- Whole Hams
- Half Hams
- Black Forest Ham (my personal favorite!)
- Honey Cured Ham
- Virginia Ham
- Uncured Ham
- Spiral Sliced Ham
- Gourmet Hams
If you’re hosting a smaller gathering (or just cooking a weeknight family meal), try one of their half hams, which I buy regularly.
And if you’re looking for an alternative to ham, they’ve got a selection of Artisan Chicken Roasts that would be perfect for your holiday table.
See the full ham line-up, including where to buy, on the Hempler’s website.
Ham Glaze Ideas
If you’re looking for ways to glaze your ham, here are some ideas. These would also work great on chicken or pork chops!
- Dick Hempler’s Favorite Apricot Glaze
- Chipotle Bourbon Glaze
- Honey Mustard Glaze
- Brown Sugar Glaze
- Balsamic Cherry Glaze
Want more easy and delicious dinnertime ideas? Check out our whole “What’s Cookin’?” series here!
