Baked Ham – Exceptional!
Overview:
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Recipe Category: Ham
- Keywords: Pork, Meat, Canadian, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Brunch, < 4 Hours
- Servings: Not specified
Description:
Indulge in the exceptional flavors of this Baked Ham, where the secret lies in the preboiling process combined with a tantalizing glaze. This recipe ensures a succulent ham that’s perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a festive Christmas dinner or a hearty Thanksgiving feast. What sets this ham apart is the meticulous preboiling step, infusing it with aromatic herbs and spices, resulting in unparalleled tenderness and taste. Moreover, you can prepare the ham a day in advance, letting it marinate in the flavorful liquid, saving you precious time on the day of serving. Additionally, the leftover liquid can be utilized to enhance stocks or enrich soups, adding depth to your culinary creations. For those preferring a tangier twist, balsamic vinegar can seamlessly replace pineapple juice in the glaze, offering a delightful variation to suit your taste buds.
Ingredients:
- 1 ham
- 2 stalks celery
- 2 carrots
- 1 onion
- 6 peppercorns
- 1 sprig thyme
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon cloves
- 8 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon mustard powder
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 3 cups pineapple juice (or balsamic vinegar)
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Place the ham in a Dutch oven, ensuring it fits comfortably. Add celery, carrots, onion, peppercorns, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf to the pot. |
| 2 | Cover the ham with water, ensuring it is completely submerged. Bring the water to a steady boil and let it cook for 45 minutes. |
| 3 | Once cooked, allow the ham to cool in the flavorful liquid, allowing it to absorb the aromatic essence. |
| 4 | Once cooled, remove the skin and excess fat from the ham. Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern and stud it with cloves for added flavor and presentation. |
| 5 | In a bowl, prepare the glaze by mixing brown sugar, mustard powder, flour, and pineapple juice (or balsamic vinegar) to form a thick paste. Adjust the sweetness and tanginess according to your preference. |
| 6 | Transfer the ham to a roasting pan, placing pineapple slices at the bottom to infuse the ham with fruity goodness. |
| 7 | Generously spread the prepared glaze over the surface of the ham, ensuring it is evenly coated for a delightful caramelized finish. |
| 8 | Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake the ham, uncovered, for approximately 30 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize and the flavors to meld together beautifully. |
| 9 | Once done, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before carving. Slice and serve this exceptional Baked Ham alongside your favorite side dishes for a memorable meal that’s sure to impress! |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 179.9
- Fat Content: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat Content: 0g
- Cholesterol Content: 0mg
- Sodium Content: 39.9mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 44.3g
- Fiber Content: 1.4g
- Sugar Content: 38.1g
- Protein Content: 1.2g
Notes:
- This Baked Ham recipe is versatile and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Feel free to experiment with different herbs, spices, and glaze ingredients to create your signature flavor profile.
- Leftover ham can be stored in the refrigerator for several days and used in sandwiches, salads, or as a flavorful addition to soups and stews.
- Don’t discard the leftover liquid from boiling the ham; it can be strained and used as a base for homemade stocks or to add depth of flavor to soups, sauces, and gravies.
