Do Try This At Home is a column by celebrated local chef Ned Bell. Each month, Ned provides us with a delicious recipe using the best of what’s local, sustainable, and in season.

Indulge in the perfect holiday feast. This has become a centrepiece of my family gatherings: Johnston’s Pork holiday ham paired with roasted BCFresh potatoes and Brussels sprouts. This delightful pairing not only caters to everyone's favourites and traditions, but also introduces a symphony of unique flavours with the addition of the award-winning Grandpa J's seasoning.

Consider making a meaningful choice by incorporating Buy BC products into your holiday meals. By opting for local produce, meats, and goods, you not only treat your family and guests to the freshest flavours, but also play a crucial role in supporting our local farmers and producers. 

Ninety per cent of the pork consumed in BC is sourced from outside the province. At Johnston’s Pork, they support local farmers and businesses to provide British Columbians with high-quality pork year-round, highlighting the importance of buying BC pork when shopping for festive meals this season. 

Grandpa J’s Seasoning is made locally in East Vancouver with premium ingredients, is female-founded, and has a celebrity fan in Ryan Reynolds, who shouted out the company for its Vancity Grind seasoning. BCFresh is a beacon of freshness and quality in the heart of British Columbia and is an identifiable product to ensure you are buying premium, locally-grown produce year-round. 

From crisp BCFresh vegetables to locally-raised meats and artisanal treats, choosing British Columbia products becomes a tasty celebration of our region's culinary excellence—and a gesture of support for the hardworking individuals who cultivate our land. 

This year, let your holiday table tell a story of local abundance and community resilience by choosing the best of British Columbia for your feasts.

Holiday ham

1. Source a fantastic Johnson’s ham of your choice. Cut it in half.  
2. Rub the ham(s) with four tablespoons of olive oil.
3. Season with Grandpa J’s Original seasoning (approximately 4 tablespoons for half a ham).
4. Bake the ham(s) in a preheated 425-degree oven for 1 hour. 

Grandpa J’s lemon-roasted BCFresh potatoes 

1. Cut 2 pounds of Yukon gold potatoes in half.
2. Toss with 4 tablespoons of olive oil and season with 2 tablespoons of Grandpa J’s Greko Lemon seasoning.
3. Place the potatoes in a casserole dish and bake in the pre-heated 425-degree oven for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and fork-tender.

Roasted BCFresh Brussels sprouts

1. Take 1 pound of BCFresh Brussels sprouts and cut them in half.
2. Toss in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt.
3. Place the sprouts in a casserole dish and roast in the pre-heated oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Double-smoked bacon and ambrosia apple relish ingredients

• 4 cups quarter-inch diced double-smoked bacon (I like using Johnston’s bacon) 
• 2 cups quarter-inch peeled and chopped BC ambrosia apples (similar size to the bacon) 
• 1 medium shallot, finely diced 
• ½ cup canola oil 
• ½ cup cranberry juice (or apple) 
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) 
• ⅛ cup maple syrup (or honey) 

Relish method

1. In a shallow pan, saute the bacon in the olive oil over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
2. Pour off the fat.
3. Add the apples and the cranberry juice and cook for 15 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Add the vinegar and the maple syrup or honey.
5. Add the cracked black pepper.

To serve

1. Slice two slices of the ham and lay it on the plate.
2. Add the roasted potatoes and the sprouts.
3. Spoon the bacon and apple jam overtop. 

Happy holidays!