This GLAZED OVEN-BAKED HAM is one of my favourite recipes to prepare. It’s especially perfect whenever you need to serve a large group of hungry dinner guests. You can make this pretty much any time but I especially like serving it on holidays. It’s perfect whenever friends and family gather.
There are a few tools I’ve come to rely on when making this recipe: a large stockpot (read on to find out why), a heavy-duty roasting pan and a carving set. I’ve listed my favourites in the AMAZON links below should you wish to purchase.
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One final thing to mention – your cottage or home is going to smell amazing. Nothing quite whets the appetite like the aroma of baked ham.
It’s very popular to boil hams and then glaze in the oven afterwards, but to me a Christmas ham is only baked without bubbling away in a ham pot beforehand. Itsd well worth becoming familiar with baking a ham rather than boiling one as the flavour will reward your effort ten-fold!
Here are some of the key steps to making a perfect GLAZED OVEN-BAKED HAM:
This recipe is for a smoked and cured 12lb. bone-in ham. I’ve had great success using organic, pasture-raised pork from a local Mennonite farm northwest of Toronto. I appreciate the way they humanely raise their animals, free of antibiotics, hormones and artificial supplements. If you can, track down a ham prepared in this manner.
Whenever someone asks me how to cook a smoked ham, I always suggest getting a large STOCKPOT for this boil-then-bake method. Boiling the ham coaxes the sodium from the meat while returning moisture at the same time. This important step is the key to a surprisingly tender and juicy ham. It’ll cut like butter.
I love the “old-school” look of clove-studded ham, complete with that time-honoured diamond-shaped scoring. The cloves add a fragrant aroma and spiced flavouring to the sweet and tangy glaze. Some folks like to remove the cloves before serving, but I never do. Oh, I just love biting into a clove as I enjoy the ham – such unique and memorable flavours.
I pulled out all the stops in creating this baked ham glaze, and it’s by far my most popular. I used a blend of three different mustards to add layers of interesting flavours. The addition of honey and brown sugar gives the sauce an inviting, glossy look. Of course, the flavour of the glaze is what really counts.
I’ve been in many kitchens and thought I’d heard every secret ingredient to pour over baked ham, from orange juice and grape juice to white wine and beer, and even ginger ale and Dr Pepper! So what did we add? Apple cider vinegar to create a wondrous, tangy sweetness on this easy-baked ham. We made this recipe using a deep, thick-bottomed roasting pan – love it!
Two final thoughts on this gorgeous, never-fail recipe: if you plan to enjoy it for a holiday dinner or big get-together, serve up simple sides that best complement the smoky flavour of a perfectly prepared ham. Try this recipe with our SIMPLE SALAD and BUTTERED VEGETABLES. We also recommend these creamy GARLIC MASHED POTATOES, SPICED LIME GINGER CARROTS, SAUTÉED BRUSSELS SPROUTS, and our favourite condiment for ham, this SPICED APPLESAUCE. Yum!
Another suggestion, don’t forget to have sandwich buns and a favourite cheese at the ready, you’ll need them for leftovers the next day.
Fingers crossed you’ll have leftovers, and if you do, use the ham to make our MINI DEVILLED HAM SAMMIES or slice it thin for our really popular HAM & CHEESE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE recipe. Both are mighty tasty.
Should you boil a ham before baking?
FAQ
Why do you boil ham?
What is the best cooking method for ham?
Does boiling ham remove salt?
What is the best way to prepare a precooked ham?
Can You boil a Ham before baking?
By following these tips, you can boil ham to perfection and achieve optimal flavor and moisture retention. If you’re not a fan of boiling your ham before baking, there are other methods you can use to add flavor and moisture to your meat. One alternative is using a dry rub.
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
Why should you boil a ham?
Firstly, boiling helps to remove excess salt from the ham, making it less salty and more palatable. This is especially important if you plan to glaze the ham with sweet ingredients such as honey or maple syrup. Furthermore, boiling helps to tenderize the meat, making it more succulent and juicy.
How do you cook a boiled ham?
Place the soaked ham in a large pan, with the onions, cloves, peppercorns and bay leaf. Cover with water, bring to the boil and skim away any impurities. Leave the ham to simmer, allowing 20 minutes per 450g (1lb). Pre-heat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5.