This delightful recipe for Ham with Rhubarb Sauce is a perfect blend of savory and sweet, making it an excellent choice for any occasion, whether it’s a special holiday feast or a cozy weeknight dinner. With just a handful of ingredients and simple steps, you can create a dish that will tantalize your taste buds and impress your guests.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 439 per serving
Ingredients:
- 1 boneless ham (approximately 1 pound)
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 cups rhubarb, chopped
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1/3 cup dry mustard
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Instructions:
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Prepare the Ham:
- Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the boneless ham on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
- Add 1/2 cup of water to the pan.
- Cover the ham with foil.
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Roast the Ham:
- Place the roasting pan in the preheated oven.
- Roast the ham until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 135 degrees Fahrenheit. This typically takes about an hour, but cooking times may vary depending on the size of your ham.
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Make the Rhubarb Sauce:
- While the ham is roasting, prepare the rhubarb sauce.
- In a saucepan, combine the chopped rhubarb, sugar, dry mustard, and cinnamon sticks.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let the sauce simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- After 15 minutes, remove the cinnamon sticks from the sauce.
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Glaze the Ham:
- During the last 15 minutes of baking time for the ham, remove the foil covering.
- Spoon a small amount of the rhubarb sauce over the ham, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
- Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, for the remaining 15 minutes of baking time. This will allow the sauce to caramelize slightly and infuse the ham with its delicious flavor.
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Rest and Serve:
- Once the ham is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and allow it to rest, covered, for about 10 minutes. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a tender and juicy texture.
- Serve the ham warm, accompanied by the remaining rhubarb sauce on the side.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 439 per serving
- Total Fat: 14.2g
- Saturated Fat: 3.8g
- Cholesterol: 161.2mg
- Sodium: 2749mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 36.2g
- Fiber: 0.9g
- Sugar: 32.6g
- Protein: 40.2g
Tips and Variations:
- For a healthier option, you can use a leaner cut of ham or reduce the amount of sugar in the rhubarb sauce.
- Experiment with different spices and flavorings in the sauce, such as ginger, cloves, or orange zest, to customize the taste to your liking.
- Leftover rhubarb sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It’s delicious served over other meats, like grilled chicken or pork, or even drizzled over vanilla ice cream for a sweet treat.
- If you’re short on time, you can prepare the rhubarb sauce in advance and reheat it gently on the stovetop while the ham is roasting. This will save you time on the day of serving without compromising on flavor.
This Ham with Rhubarb Sauce recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your culinary repertoire, with its perfect balance of flavors and simple preparation. Whether you’re hosting a springtime gathering or simply craving a delicious meal, this dish is sure to satisfy. Enjoy!
