Lachsschinken Ham

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This is a pork ham, even though its name in German literally means "salmon ham."

It is a very lean, mild tasting, pink-coloured ham, with no salty-taste at all.

It is made in Bavaria in a long bolster shape from the eye of pork loin that is salted, dry-cured and cold-smoked, so it's treated like smoked salmon. In fact, it's even served like smoked salmon: sliced so thin you can almost see through it, and arranged spread out on a plate to cover the plate. It's sprinkled with chopped onion and fried capers.

If a thin sheet of back fat is wrapped around it, it's technically called "Pariser Lachsschinken" (or Parisian-style Lachsschinken",) though you may see it just sold as "Lachsschinken."

The ham is soaked in cool brine made from Nitrite Pickling Salt and a small amount of brown sugar. The ham (as well as the fat sheet if using) is soaked in the brine for five to six days, then dried off and let stand for six days. Then the meat is washed in lukewarm water, and patted dry. If the fat sheet covering is being applied, the ham is splashed with some brine to help the fat stick better. Then the fat cover is tied around the ham, then it is cold-smoked for three to give days.

Some commercial versions added sodium nitrate as well to the brine.

Cooking Tips for Lachsschinken Ham

Does not need any cooking.

Substitutes for Lachsschinken Ham

Prosciutto, Bauerschinken, Iberico Ham, Serrano Ham

Language Notes about Lachsschinken Ham

In German, "Lachs" means "salmon" and "schinken" (similar to the English word "shank"), means "ham.
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