Jinhua Ham Medley

About Jinhua Ham

Jinhua Ham is a renowned Chinese dry-cured ham named after its origin, Jinhua City in Zhejiang Province. With a history dating back over a thousand years, this delicacy has played an important role in Chinese culinary traditions. Its rich flavor and unique aroma make it a key ingredient in numerous traditional dishes. The curing process, which can take over a year, bestows a depth of flavor that is unmatched by other hams.

Ingredients

• Jinhua Ham - 200 grams, thinly sliced
• Rice - 2 cups
• Chicken Broth - 3 cups
• Ginger - 2 slices
• Soy Sauce - 2 tablespoons
• Sesame Oil - 1 tablespoon
• Spring Onions - 2 stalks, chopped
• Salt - to taste
• White Pepper - a pinch

Preparation

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside.
2. Soak the Jinhua Ham in warm water for 10 minutes to remove excess salt. Pat dry and thinly slice it if not pre-sliced.
3. Prep the ginger by slicing it thinly and chop the spring onions.

Cooking Process

1. In a pot, bring the chicken broth and ginger slices to a boil.
2. Add the rinsed rice to the pot. Stir and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Reference cooking time here.
3. In a separate pan, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the Jinhua Ham slices and cook until they start to slightly crisp and release their aroma, about 3-4 minutes. Reference cooking time here.
4. Add the cooked Jinhua Ham to the rice and broth mixture. Stir well.
5. Season with soy sauce, salt, and white pepper. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference. Stir to combine the flavors.
6. Cook the mixture for another 5 minutes until the rice is fully tender and all the flavors have melded together. Reference cooking time here.
7. Garnish with chopped spring onions before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Jinhua Ham Medley is best enjoyed hot, straight from the pot. Traditionally served as part of a larger meal, it pairs well with other Chinese dishes like steamed vegetables or a light soup. The nutty taste of sesame oil combined with the savory flavor of Jinhua Ham brings a delightful complexity to the dish. A dash of soy sauce can also be added at the table for those who prefer a bit more umami flavor in every bite.