Looking to cook the perfect Christmas ham? With the right techniques and ingredients, anyone can create a succulent and flavorful ham that everyone will love. The necessary ingredients include fully-cooked ham, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and several spices. The ham should be scored in diamond patterns to help the glaze seep into the ham. Then, a glaze should be made that is made by heating ingredients such as the brown sugar and Dijon mustard together. Next, the glaze should be painted over the ham before being cooked for 30 minutes. Finally, basting should be done regularly and the finishing touches should be added once the desired temperature range has been achieved.

How to Make the Perfect Christmas Ham: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Christmas is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. The centerpiece of many Christmas feasts is the ham. With the right techniques and ingredients, you can create a succulent and flavorful Christmas ham that everyone will love. In this guide, we will take you through each step of the process and share with you our recipe for the perfect Christmas ham.

Ingredients

Before we get started, let’s go over the ingredients you will need:

• 1 bone-in fully-cooked ham (7-8 pounds)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you have all of your ingredients, let’s get started on making the perfect Christmas ham.

Step 1: Prep the Ham

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place the ham in a large roasting pan, and score the top of the ham with shallow cuts in a diamond pattern. This will not only make it look more appealing but also allow the glaze to seep into the ham.

Step 2: Make the Glaze

In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, ground cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes until the brown sugar has melted and the glaze is thick.

Step 3: Apply the Glaze

Using a brush or a spoon, generously apply the glaze all over the ham, making sure to get it into the cuts you made earlier. Cover the ham with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Baste the Ham

After 30 minutes, remove the ham from the oven, uncover it, and baste it with the juices that have accumulated in the roasting pan. Repeat this process every 30 minutes until the ham has reached an internal temperature of 140°F.

Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches

Once the ham has reached 140°F, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the ham, making it even more flavorful.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

After the ham has rested, it’s time to carve it up and serve it with your favorite sides. Enjoy the delicious flavors and aromas of your perfect Christmas ham.

Conclusion

With this step-by-step guide and recipe, you can make the perfect Christmas ham that will impress your family and friends. Remember to use high-quality ingredients, take your time, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments to the recipe to suit your taste. Happy cooking and happy holidays!