Westphalian Ham Lollipops
Westphalian ham wraps around a Black Forest ham mousse in this appetizer with a built-in handle. Recipe created for Germanfoods.org by Chef Hans Roeckenwagner.
Ingredients
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 shallot
- 6 ounces butter, divided at room temperature
- 5 ounces smoked German Black Forest ham finely diced
- 16 ounces cooked German Black Forest ham finely diced
- 1-1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 sprig rosemary leaves only, minced
- 2 tablespoons German horseradish
- 20 slices German Westphalian ham
Instructions
For the Mousse:
- Saute chopped garlic and shallot in 1 tablespoon butter. Add smoked Black Forest ham. Brown well and add cooked Black Forest ham. Reduce cream to half, season with rosemary and horseradish. Combine cream mixture and ham mixture, and blend well. Slowly add remaining butter. Cool mousse to room temperature.
For the Lollipops:
- Lay 1 slice of Westphalian ham on a square of plastic wrap. Place 2 teaspoons mousse in center of ham and stick one lollipop stick into it. Carefully wrap ham and plastic around mousse, forming a ball. Twist tightly and place in an empty egg carton to chill, refrigerated, until firm, about 6 hours.
Notes
Why Westphalian Ham and Black Forest Ham Work Together
Westphalian ham and Black Forest ham each bring a different kind of flavor to this appetizer. Westphalian ham works well as the wrapper because thin slices are flexible, savory, and elegant. Black Forest ham gives the mousse a deeper smoked flavor and richer texture. Using both hams makes the appetizer more layered than a simple ham roll-up. The outside slice provides structure, while the mousse inside creates a creamy, smoky filling. The rosemary and horseradish help tie everything together. Rosemary adds fragrance, while horseradish cuts through the richness of the cream, butter, and ham.Tips for the Best Ham Lollipops
Use thin, even slices of Westphalian ham so they wrap neatly around the mousse. If the slices are too thick, they may crack or pull apart while shaping. Let the mousse cool before forming the lollipops. If the mousse is too warm, it will be harder to shape and may not hold around the stick. Twist the plastic wrap tightly around each portion. This helps create a rounder shape and keeps the ham secure while the lollipops chill. Use an empty egg carton, mini muffin tin, or small cups to hold the lollipops upright while they firm in the refrigerator. Chill the lollipops long enough for the mousse to set. The current recipe recommends refrigerating until firm, about 6 hours.Oktoberfest and Party Serving Ideas
Westphalian Ham Lollipops are a great fit for Oktoberfest parties because they are savory, meaty, easy to pick up, and full of German flavor. They also work well for holiday appetizer trays, wine tastings, cocktail parties, brunch buffets, and German-themed gatherings. Serve them upright on a platter with rye bread, pretzel bites, pickles, radishes, mustard, and small cheese cubes. They can also be arranged as part of a larger charcuterie board with German cold cuts, sliced sausages, cheeses, fruit spreads, and dark bread. For a more polished appetizer presentation, garnish the platter with fresh rosemary, parsley, cornichons, or thinly sliced radishes.What to Serve with Westphalian Ham Lollipops
These ham lollipops are rich and savory, so they pair best with crisp, tangy, and fresh sides. Good pairings include:- German rye bread
- Pumpernickel
- Pretzel bites
- Pickles or gherkins
- Radishes
- German mustard
- Horseradish sauce
- Cucumber salad
- Potato salad
- Cheese cubes
- Grapes or sliced apples
- Sparkling mineral water
- Riesling
- German beer