Jingle All the Way with this Glazed Christmas Ham!
This Christmas say hello to a festive ham that will have your guests singing your praises! This recipe is easy to follow, yet yields impressive results. Get ready to wow your friends and family with a glazed Christmas ham that's bursting with flavor.
Ingredients:
- Bone-in Half Leg Ham (Christmas Ham): Choose a good quality ham, around 5-7kg. This will generously feed a crowd.
- 200g Salted Butter: Salted butter balances the sweetness of the glaze.
- 2 Tbsp Plum Jam: A good quality plum jam adds a touch of fruity sweetness and festive cheer.
- 20ml Bourbon: A splash of bourbon adds a sophisticated depth of flavor. Feel free to substitute with whiskey or brandy.
Method:
- Preheat: Preheat your smoker or oven to 170°C (338°F). This ensures the ham cooks evenly and stays juicy.
- Prep the Ham: Using a sharp knife, carefully remove the rind from the ham. Score the fat in horizontal line or which ever pattern you would like, about 1cm deep. This not only looks fantastic but also allows the glaze to penetrate the ham for maximum flavour.
- Cook Time: Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan and cook for 2 hours. This initial cooking time allows the ham to heat through and the fat to render down beautifully.
- Glaze Time: While the ham is cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the plum jam and bourbon until well combined. This creates a luscious, sticky glaze that will caramelize beautifully on the ham.
- Glaze and Repeat: After the initial 2 hours of cooking, brush the ham generously with the glaze. Repeat this glazing process every 15 minutes for an hour, ensuring every nook and cranny is coated in the delicious mixture.
- Final Flourish: For a show-stopping finish, give the ham one last generous coating of glaze. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and succulent ham.
Tips and Tricks:
- For extra flavor: Add a few cloves to the ham while it's cooking.
- Keep it moist: If your ham seems to be drying out, add a little water to the bottom of the roasting pan.
- Carving: For perfect slices, carve the ham against the grain.
- Leftovers: Don't throw away the ham bone! Use it to make a delicious soup or stock.