Is Purefoods Fiesta Ham Ready To Eat? A Comprehensive Guide

As the holiday season approaches Filipino families start planning their Noche Buena feasts. A centerpiece of many holiday tables is Purefoods Fiesta Ham a delicious and convenient addition loved by generations. But a common question arises – is Purefoods Fiesta Ham ready to eat straight out of the package? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this iconic holiday ham.

Purefoods Fiesta Ham has been a staple on Filipino holiday tables for over 40 years. Made from premium quality pork leg and shoulder cuts, it delivers a delicious blend of juicy meatiness and sweet smoky flavor. The ham is steam-cooked to tender perfection, then glazed with a sweet mixture of sugar, fruit juices and butter. This gives it an irresistible golden sheen that accentuates its richness.

The Fiesta Ham is a pre-sliced product sold in convenient 1.5kg packages. It’s become a classic centerpiece dish not just for Noche Buena but for any special occasion all year round. Its premium quality and convenience make it a go-to choice for Filipino families looking to make holiday celebrations fuss-free yet extra special.

Is Purefoods Fiesta Ham Ready To Eat Out of the Package?

The simple answer is yes! Purefoods Fiesta Ham can be enjoyed straight out of the package with no additional cooking required. The steam-cooking process tenderizes the meat completely so that it’s ready to eat as soon as you open it.

However, some people do prefer to enhance the ham’s flavor further by simmering it in a glaze. This adds an extra touch of sweetness and allows the ham to absorb more flavor. But it’s absolutely not required for the ham to be edible and delicious

Here are some serving tips for enjoying Purefoods Fiesta Ham right away:

• Allow the ham to thaw completely if frozen. Leave it in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving.

• Slice only as much as you plan to eat. Cutting the ham ahead of time causes it to dry out.

• Serve chilled or at room temperature. The ham doesn’t need to be warmed since it’s fully cooked.

• Pair it with sauces like mustard, sweet chili, or pineapple glaze for extra flavor.

• Garnish with fruits like pineapple chunks or maraschino cherries.

So feel free to go ahead and enjoy Purefoods Fiesta Ham directly from the package! No extra steps needed to make this tasty centerpiece ready for your holiday table.

Simmering the Ham in a Glaze

While Purefoods Fiesta Ham can be served straight away, many people like to simmer it in a sweet glaze first. This infuses the ham with even more festive flavor and gives it a glistening sheen.

To glaze the ham, you’ll need:

• 1 bottle pale ale or pineapple juice
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

1. Combine all glaze ingredients in a saucepan and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves.

2. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Place ham in a baking dish and pour 3⁄4 of the glaze over it. Cover and bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

4. Remove cover and baste ham with the remaining glaze. Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes until glazed.

5. Let ham rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

The glaze will make the ham extra moist and give it a lovely glossy sheen. It also allows the flavors to mingle beautifully. Try experimenting with different glaze recipes to find your favorite!

Handy Tips for Serving Purefoods Fiesta Ham

Here are some additional pointers to get the most out of your Purefoods Fiesta Ham:

• Carve the ham on a cutting board to catch any juices. This keeps the serving platter neat.

• Let the ham come to room temperature before carving for cleaner, smoother slices.

• Place any leftover ham in an airtight container. It will keep for up to 4 days refrigerated.

• Leftover ham is fantastic for sandwiches, omelets, pasta bakes and more. Get creative with the leftovers!

• Pair the ham with cheese, pineapples, honey-glazed carrots, cornbread and flavored butter.

With these simple tips, you can serve Purefoods Fiesta Ham like a pro!

What Makes Purefoods Fiesta Ham So Special?

There are a few reasons why Purefoods Fiesta Ham remains a much-loved tradition on Filipino holiday tables:

Premium Quality – It’s made from carefully selected pork leg and shoulder cuts and contains no extenders or artificial flavors. This gives it a delicious purity of pork flavor.

Tradition – It’s been an iconic part of Christmas celebrations for over 40 years, making it a nostalgic piece of Filipino food culture.

Convenience – The ham comes pre-cooked and sliced, ready to serve straight from the package. This makes holiday cooking easy.

Trusted Brand – Purefoods is a heritage Filipino brand that generations of families have come to trust for quality.

Timeless Taste – The trademark sweet smoky glaze maintains the same beloved flavors over the decades. Fiesta Ham always delivers on taste.

These factors combine to make Purefoods Fiesta Ham a fail-safe choice for holiday feasting and gifting. It’s a cornerstone of Filipino food traditions.

Where to Buy Purefoods Fiesta Ham

Thankfully, Purefoods Fiesta Ham is widely available at grocery stores across the Philippines. Here are some places you can find it:

• Major supermarkets like SM Hypermarket, WalterMart, Landers, etc. Look in the pork/deli section.

• Local Filipino specialty groceries often stock Fiesta Ham around the holidays.

• Online via food delivery apps like GrabFood or MetroMart. Search for “Fiesta Ham”.

• Directly from Purefoods via their website. They accept online orders.

• Rare Food Shop, an online meat shop, also sells Fiesta Ham.

Keep an eye out for holiday sales and stock up on Fiesta Hams for Christmas! They often sell out closer to December.

How Long Does Purefoods Fiesta Ham Last?

The shelf life of Purefoods Fiesta Ham depends on whether it’s refrigerated or frozen:

• Refrigerated: Up to 4-5 days from the sell-by date printed on the package.

• Frozen: Around 8 months in a steady freezer at 0°F. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

For maximum freshness and food safety, use refrigerated ham within 4-5 days and frozen ham within 8 months. Discard if you notice any off smells or textures. Portion and freeze any leftovers for longer storage.

With proper storage, you can enjoy Purefoods Fiesta Ham for months to come!

Delicious Ways to Use Up Leftover Ham

Got leftovers after the holidays? Here are some delicious ways to use up extra Purefoods Fiesta Ham so none goes to waste:

• Breakfast sandwiches or omelets with ham, egg and cheese

• Ham fried rice or garlic fried rice with ham chunks

• Ham and peas pasta carbonara

• Homemade pizza topped with ham chunks

• Ham and potato au gratin or scalloped potatoes

• Split pea soup with ham for flavor

• Ham and pineapple skewers or sliders

• Ham salad sandwiches or wraps

• Savory ham pancakes or waffles

With a little creativity, you can give your leftover ham an exciting second life! It’s a very versatile ingredient.

Quick and Easy Purefoods Fiesta Ham Recipe Ideas

Here are 3 quick and easy recipe ideas that highlight Purefoods Fiesta Ham:

Honey Glazed Ham Sandwiches

• Butter 2 slices of pandesal or bread
• Layer ham slices, cheese, lettuce and honey mustard
• Broil until cheese melts, about 2 minutes
• Enjoy the sweet and savory combo!

Fiesta Ham Egg Cups

• Grease a muffin tin and line with strips of ham
• Crack an egg into each ham cup
• Bake at 350F for 15-18 minutes until eggs are set
• Sprinkle with cheese, green onions and toast.

Holiday Ham Salad

• Dice Fiesta Ham chunks and mix with mayo, lemon juice, chopped apple and celery
• Serve on bread, lettuce cups or crackers
• Garnish with chopped nuts or dried fruits for crunch

For an iconic Filipino ham, try these easy Purefoods Fiesta Ham recipes!

Is Purefoods Fiesta Ham Worth Buying?

In short – yes, absolutely! Here’s a quick recap of why Purefoods Fiesta Ham is such a wise purchase:

• No need to cook it – ready to eat for convenience
• Saves time with pre-sliced package
• Delivers nostalgic, traditional holiday flavors
• Made from premium quality pork
• Trusted Filipino brand with decades of heritage
• Freezes well to enjoy for months
• Versatile for recipes, sandwiches, platters
• Affordable price for a special treat

For time-honored taste and fuss-free feasting, Purefoods Fiesta Ham is certainly worth buying. It takes the stress out of holiday hosting so you can focus on making memories. Top your Noche Buena table with this iconic ham loved by generations past and present!

So go ahead – add Purefoods Fiesta Ham to your holiday shopping list! Its delicious meaty flavor and tender texture make it a fantastic addition to any festive meal or as a tasty edible gift. Here’s to keeping beloved food traditions alive with a classic Filipino ham that perfectly captures the spirit of the season. Happy Holidays from our family to yours!