Christmas ham (julskinka) - the most important dish on the swedish Christmas buffet

The main dish at a Swedish Christmas buffet (julbord) is the Christmas ham (julskinka). 

This dish has a very long tradition.

In our family, we prefer to have a Christmas ham which is sugar salted and then smoked. This type of ham is most common in southern Sweden. The majority of Swedes do not want smoked ham on Christmas.

Earlier, it was common practice to boil ham yourself. This year we bought a ham, which is ready cooked.

Because the ham is already cooked it shall only grill after coating with egg and breadcrumbs. We mix mustard and one egg. The batter is brushed on the ham. Then we sprinkle breadcrumbs ("ströbröd" or "skorpmjöl") over it.

  Then it's time to grill the ham in the oven for 15 minutes in 200 °C (392 °F).

  When it has cooled slightly, you can cut slices and enjoy.

This preparation for the Christmas Eve buffet, we do already the day before Christmas Eve - that is on December 23.