Here in Brisbane, with the onset of winter, there is no better comfort than a chunky stew. Whatever your desire is-whether something lusciously appetizing or a meal that imparts homely feelings-this ham hock stew fits everything. It is a dish that gives warmth to the body and soul, fills the stomach, and leaves you hungry for more.
My Love for Ham Hock Stew
There are endless reasons to love this recipe, and I cannot wait to share some of them with you! It is very comforting, for starters. I don’t know, but tender, smoky ham hocks make broth rich and hearty. Every mouthful feels like one giant hug with veggies! It is really easy to make even though it looks like so much work. The time spent is worth it!
This stew also has an incredibly comforting feeling. Something reminding you of family gatherings, cozy evenings, and the gentle warmth of a crackling fireplace behind you, cozy even more along with good crusty bread to dip into stew. Now that is a treat!
Best thing about this recipe: it is definitely hearty, warming, and made to feed the crowd. Be it a friend’s gathering on a cold winter night or a big pot of stew you want to last for the week, this recipe can stand up to the task.
Why You Shouldn’t Shy Away from Ham Hocks
Some of the most important ingredients for this stew are ham hocks. If you’ve never really worked with ham hocks before, you might be a bit hesitant. After all, they involve some work – they are first simmered for hours, to produce that lovely smoky, fall-off-the-bone meat, and then one spends another couple of hours or so stripping the lovely meat, every piece, off of the bone. But I promise you, it’s well worth the trouble.
Cooking these ham hocks low and slow gives you the beautiful flavor that you would never ever get from any other cut of meat. It flavors the broth deeply, turning the stew into something divine with that hammy, smoky richness. It’s a lot of work, but so worth it in the end. With some crusty bread and red wine, one understands the very definition of comfort.
The Right Wines with Ham Hock Stew
Pairing this winter stew with Chardonnay from a very chilled bottle may intrigue you. I know it sounds strange-I mean, we are in winter. Red wines are usually paired with comfort food. But a nice, crisp white-wine like a Chardonnay offensively compliments the smoky flavor of this stew; and thus, it’s a marriage meant to be.
For this dish, I’ve decided to go for the Scarpantoni Chardonnay from McLaren Vale, which I borrowed from my buddies at Laithwaites here in Australia. It has just the right weight to support the richness of the ham hocks. The crispness of this wine, combined with just a hint of melon, peaches, and lychees, exactly counters the weight of the stew. Maybe even a second bottle would have been opened – it was that good!
How To Cook Ham Hock Stew.
On that note, let us get to how you may prepare this at home after having persuaded you to enjoy the hearty goodness of this gives along with perfect wine margins. Actually, it is quite simple, using no exotic ingredients-some ham hocks, vegetables, herbs, and stock. Just cook those hocks for a few hours until they melt in your mouth and then throw everything else in to join in the fun. The resultant magic will blow your mind.
So if you haven’t cooked with ham hocks before, here’s the tip: skim off the excess fat while it simmers, and your broth will be clean and tasty. Also, don’t forget to taste before serving, as it is all in the seasoning!
Disliked Stews to Experiment with
Here are a few other stews that are just as delicious and comforting if you are looking to change things up a bit from that warm fuzzy lovin’ food comfort:
Chorizo & Chickpea Stew – A very nice flavourful stew that makes things exciting and smoky from the chorizo, with hearty chickpeas and richly flavoursome tomato base broth. It feels complete, flavoursome and warms you up in no time.
What could be more comforting than Beef Stew & Ale? Tender beef simmered in a rich broth seasoned with ale and together with root vegetables-carrots, potatoes, and parsnips. If you really love rich deep flavors, this is for you.
Lamb Shank Stew-an interesting twist to the classic ham hock stew with lamb shanks that are slowly cooked enough to fall apart when touched in a warming, delightful meal, with mashed potatoes or rip-roaring bread.
Conclusion
None other, as winter comes creeping into the weather, is that time than to enjoy this mouthwatering steaming ham hock stew in the very same breath. It’s warm-hearted and hearty. It packs succulent legacies that would fill and extend the soul up into the cold days. It ultimately gives all the qualities of comfort, simple ingredients, a perfect wine pairing, and bright taste buds, making such a dish bring all that happiness into your home.
Go grab your ingredients and snuggle up in your favorite blanket with a big bowl of this great stew. The memories from this will, trust me, top any winter meal. Enjoy!