Country Ham with Red-Eye Gravy

Ingredients
2 slices country ham
1 tablespoon butter (optional, if ham is very lean)
1/2 cup strong black coffee
1 teaspoon sugar (optional, traditional but optional)
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
Place a heavy skillet over medium heat. If the ham is very lean, add the butter to the pan and let it melt.

Add the country ham slices to the hot skillet. Fry for 3–5 minutes per side until browned and heated through. Remove the ham from the skillet and set aside, keeping the drippings in the pan.

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Carefully pour the coffee into the hot skillet to deglaze, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom. Let the mixture simmer for 1–2 minutes until slightly reduced.

Stir in the sugar if using, and season with black pepper. The gravy should be thin, dark, and flavorful.

Return the ham to the skillet briefly to warm it, or serve the red-eye gravy spooned over the ham. Best enjoyed with biscuits or grits.