ham hock and pig hock bargain food!

medsdemon

I bought one in sainsbury's today for £1.30 reduced and will be making a lovely split pea and ham soup:D.

Herewegoagain

I know nothing about these things but have been left with pigs trotters,1/2 heads and a bum I think, at least I can see a tail ? have no idea wot to do wit it all but know I must use it up some how, any suggestions HELP

[Deleted User]

How surreal is this post I have just retrieved my pork shank from the freezer where it has been living for ages and I am going to soak it over night and cook it in my slow cooker.I have just posted about it on 'Eating out of the cupboards and freezer challenge' From the Food Shopping and Groceries forum. It will certainly make me some stock and some sandwiches and the stock will come in useful for some more soup.I make HM soup every week as I like to have some for lunch or to streetch out dinner a bit more Its so cheap to make and is a great streeetcher of meals

oldtractor

Herewegoagain wrote: »

I know nothing about these things but have been left with pigs trotters,1/2 heads and a bum I think, at least I can see a tail ? have no idea wot to do wit it all but know I must use it up some how, any suggestions HELP

all will freeze. trotters, use one trotter cut in half lengh ways. they contain gelatin. buy a 1lb of shin beef,cut into small cubes, boil with the trotter in enough water to cover along with 3 or 4 bay leaves and a little ground pepper, simmer until meat is very tender about 1 and a half hours. remove trotter and bay leaves. pour into a dish and put in fridge to set. you now have jellied beef for sandwiches or salad.

pigs head, remove brain and eyes, cook similar to above,theres a recipe on weezls web site for pigs head brawn.

I dont know about the tail. maybe cook for crackling?

Reverbe

You folks are lucky. Have heard about ham hocks on here for years but have NEVER found a stockist..:(

zippychick

Do you not have any butchers in your area Reverbe?

Reverbe

Zippy sadly not. We do have one but it only sells multipacks of things or big roast joints.. - yes I know !!!!!! kind of butchers is that?? Always struck me as totally bizarre... not like a butchers as I would define or understand it..

anguk

Reverbe wrote: »

Zippy sadly not. We do have one but it only sells multipacks of things or big roast joints.. - yes I know !!!!!! kind of butchers is that?? Always struck me as totally bizarre... not like a butchers as I would define or understand it..

A few of the butchers around here are like that, cheap and nasty pre-packed stuff. I prefer to go to a proper butcher or the butchers counter at the farm shop, much more expensive but so much nicer.

zippychick

Reverbe wrote: »

Zippy sadly not. We do have one but it only sells multipacks of things or big roast joints.. - yes I know !!!!!! kind of butchers is that?? Always struck me as totally bizarre... not like a butchers as I would define or understand it..

that's a shame! Butchers have really changed lately - my local one included - what is it with all the multi packs of everything and packaged 3 for a tenners?

They have raw and cooked hocks though. You never know, a source may appear one day!x

castleton

I have bitten the bullet and bought a slow cooker. I have also bought 2 Ham hocks to cook. I have cut up onions and carrots and soaked my hams to get rid of salt. How much water do I put in? do I just put enough to cover veg or more. I know you will know
Thank you