Cooked ham hock with lentils shown in a bowl

Ham hock and lentils

Name: Ham hock and lentils
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 10 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: British recipes
Ingredients: 1.35kg ham hock, soaked overnight in cold water; 1 leek, roughly chopped; 3 carrots, cut into chunks; 2 celery sticks, cut into pieces; 1.2 litres ham or chicken stock; 600ml apple juice; Few sprigs of fresh thyme; Few fresh parsley stalks, plus 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, to serve; 1 bay leaf; 6 peppercorns; 400g dried green lentils; 3 tbsp crème fraîche, plus extra to serve; Grated zest of 1 lemon

2 Reviews

Portion size: Serves 4
Takes 20 minutes to make, 2 hours 10 minutes to cook, plus overnight soaking
Difficulty: easy

Gluten-free

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Ham hock is a cheap cut of meat and so versatile. Use a hock to make a delicious terrine or this hearty dish. Enjoy at lunchtime or in the evening for a relaxed supper.

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Ingredients

1.35kg ham hock, soaked overnight in cold water
1 leek, roughly chopped
3 carrots, cut into chunks
2 celery sticks, cut into pieces
1.2 litres ham or chicken stock
600ml apple juice
Few sprigs of fresh thyme
Few fresh parsley stalks, plus 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, to serve
1 bay leaf
6 peppercorns
400g dried green lentils
3 tbsp crème fraîche, plus extra to serve
Grated zest of 1 lemon

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Method

Place the ham hock in a pan with the vegetables, liquids, herbs and peppercorns and season well. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer for 1½ hours or until the meat is really tender. Remove the hock from the liquid and set aside.
Remove the aromatics with a slotted spoon. Add the green lentils to the pan and simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, until tender.
Meanwhile, skin the ham hock and shred the meat from the bones. Stir the crème fraîche and lemon zest into the lentils and return the ham to the pan and reheat.
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Serve with the parsley scattered over and an extra blob of crème fraîche if you like.