2 ham hocks (each weighing approx. 1.2kg) or 4 small ones*
1.5l blonde beer
80g salt, plus extra to season
Zest of 1 lemon, plus 2 tbsp juice
10 black peppercorns
4 tbsp runny honey
4 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 onions, peeled and quartered
4 carrots, peeled and sliced lengthways
1 stick of celery, cut in half
250g Puy or green lentils
A small bunch of fresh parsley, leaves only, finely chopped

Score the skin of the ham hocks with a sharp knife. Pour 1.25 litres of the beer and 750ml water into a large bowl and stir in the 80g salt until it has completely dissolved. Add the lemon zest and peppercorns. Submerge the ham hocks in the brine, making sure they are completely covered. Cover with clingfilm and refrigerate for at least two hours, and preferably overnight.

Pre-heat the oven to 180C. Remove the ham hocks from the brine. Stir the honey and mustard together and rub it all over the ham hocks.

Place the onions, carrots and celery in a large roasting dish and top with the ham hocks. Pour over 250ml of water and the remaining 250ml of beer. Cover with a layer of baking paper, followed by a layer of foil. Cook in the oven for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, basting the meat regularly with the juices and turning the hocks around from time to time. The meat should be falling off the bone. For the last 30 minutes of the cooking time, remove the foil from the ham.

Meanwhile, cook the lentils according to the packet instructions. Drain and toss with the parsley, lemon juice and a pinch of salt.

Serve the lentils with the shredded ham, carrots and onions and some of the roasting juices poured over the top.

Tips:

* If you’re cooking four smaller ham hocks (each weighing roughly 600g) they will need 2 1/2 to 3 hours in the oven.

If you can only get salted ham hocks, rinse them in cold water before adding to the beer marinade and leave out the salt.