History

Country ham is a dry-cured ham coveted in the South, as Biscuit Head's menu puts it. Biscuit Head serves it in a country ham biscuit with fried green tomato, cheesy egg and a side of red-eye gravy, and as a side. Early Girl Eatery sells Goodnight Bros. country ham as a side and as an add-on to its breakfast plates.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy

Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 10 minTotal 35 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 4 buttermilk biscuits (see cathead biscuit recipe)
  • 200g thinly sliced country ham (Benton's if you can get it)
  • 60g unsalted butter, softened
  • 60ml sorghum syrup (or grade B maple)
  • Black pepper

Method

  1. Bake the biscuits according to the cathead biscuit recipe.
  2. Heat a heavy pan over medium-high. Lay the country ham in batches and cook 30 seconds a side until the edges curl and the fat just turns translucent. Country ham is salt-cured; do not overcook or it turns tough.
  3. Split the warm biscuits horizontally. Spread the cut sides lightly with butter.
  4. Layer the warm ham slices onto the biscuit bottoms.
  5. Drizzle each with a teaspoon of sorghum syrup. Add a crack of black pepper. Close and serve immediately.

Tip from the editors. Country ham is properly aggressive on the salt; the sorghum is what balances it. Don't skip the drizzle or the biscuit eats one-note.

Where to eat country ham and sorghum biscuit

Country ham and sorghum biscuit in Asheville

Biscuit Head ★ 4.5

SouthernBiscuits with gravy, eggs and sidesWest Asheville

Biscuit Head at 733 Haywood Rd in Asheville serves biscuits with pulled pork, country ham or fried chicken, plus sweet potato coconut gravy.

OrderMimosa fried chicken biscuit with sweet potato butter, sriracha slaw and a poached egg

TipA box of 6 cat head buttermilk biscuits with 8 pieces of local fried chicken, large gravy, Sriracha slaw and hot sauce is on the menu.

Directions

Early Girl Eatery ★ 4.5

Southern, Farm-to-tableSouthern farm-to-table breakfast and brunchDowntown

Early Girl Eatery at 8 Wall St in downtown Asheville has served Farm to Table breakfast, lunch and brunch since 2001, steps from Pack Square.

OrderSpinach and potato cakes, called the standout dish in a guest review on its site

TipCome for a classic Southern breakfast before exploring the shops and galleries, and book a table on Resy.

Directions

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