The traditional Christmas ham is a popular dish during the festive season, said to have originated from Germany, where it was served on St. Stephen’s Day. The recipe requires a 5-6kg bone-in baked ham, 2 cups of brown sugar, ½ cup of Dijon mustard, ½ cup of maple syrup, ½ cup of pineapple juice, ½ cup of orange juice, ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup of whole cloves, ¼ cup of honey, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, ¼ cup of molasses, ¼ cup of butter, ½ cup of rum or apple cider, and assorted vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and onions. The process requires attention to detail, including scoring the ham, adding cloves, and preparing a glaze, after which the ham is baked for three hours with regular basting. Finally, the ham is rested and served with pan juices and vegetables.

Traditional Christmas Ham: A Festive Dish with All the Fixings

Introduction

Christmas is just around the corner and one of the most popular dishes for this festive season is the traditional Christmas ham. Ham is a staple food of many cultures and is enjoyed all over the world. The tradition of serving ham during Christmas is said to have originated from Germany, where it was served on St. Stephen’s Day, the day after Christmas. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to prepare a delicious Christmas ham with all the fixings.

Ingredients

To prepare the traditional Christmas ham with all the fixings, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 baked ham, bone-in, approximately 5-6 kg
• 2 cups of brown sugar
• 1/2 cup of Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup of maple syrup
• 1/2 cup of pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup of orange juice
• 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup of whole cloves
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
• 1/4 cup of molasses
• 1/4 cup of butter
• 1/2 cup of rum or apple cider
• Assorted vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and onions

Instructions

Preparing the traditional Christmas ham with all the fixings is a multi-step process that requires attention to detail. Here is how you can prepare the perfect Christmas ham:

Step 1: Preheat your oven

Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).

Step 2: Prepare the ham

Take the ham out of the packaging and rinse it thoroughly under running water. Pat the ham dry with paper towels. Place the ham on a baking dish.

Step 3: Score the ham

Using a sharp knife, score the surface of the ham in a crisscross pattern, creating diamond-shaped cuts. Be careful not to cut too deeply into the meat. This will allow the glaze to penetrate into the ham.

Step 4: Add the cloves

Insert the cloves into the diamond-shaped cuts of the ham.

Step 5: Prepare the glaze

In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, pineapple juice, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, cinnamon, molasses, and butter. Stir over low heat for 5 minutes until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Step 6: Glaze the ham

Brush the glaze over the ham, making sure to cover it evenly. Reserve some of the glaze for later use.

Step 7: Bake the ham

Place the ham in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 3 hours, or until the internal temperature of the ham reaches 70°C (160°F). Baste the ham with the reserved glaze every 30 minutes.

Step 8: Add the vegetables

In the last hour of cooking, add the vegetables to the baking dish with the ham.

Step 9: Rest the ham

Once the ham is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.

Step 10: Serve with all the fixings

Carve the ham and serve it with the cooked vegetables, pan juices, and a side of your favorite Christmas fixings such as cranberry sauce, roast potatoes, and stuffing.

Conclusion

Christmas is a time for good food and great company, and the traditional Christmas ham is a perfect centerpiece for your festive feast. With a little preparation and patience, you can create a mouth-watering ham that will delight your family and guests. Follow these simple steps to prepare a ham that is succulent, flavorful, and sure to impress.