Baked Country Ham
Few holiday meats are easier to cook than ham—and this one will bring the very graciousness and warmth of the South to your table.
Recipe Ingredients:
1 (12 to 14-pound) country ham or country-style ham
2 teaspoons whole cloves
8 cups apple cider or apple juice
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cloves
Dry sherry or red wine vinegar
Seckel pears (optional)
Lemon leaves (optional)
Cooking Directions:
- Place ham in a large container; cover with cold water. Soak for 16 hours in the refrigerator; change water once. Pour off water. Scrub ham in warm water with a stiff brush; rinse well. Cut skin from ham; trim off fat. Insert cloves in ham.
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C) Place ham, fat-trimmed side up, in a large roasting pan. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest portion of the ham, making sure it doesn¿t touch fat or bone. Pour apple cider or apple juice over ham.
- Bake ham, covered, in the preheated oven for 4 to 4-1/2 hours or until the meat thermometer registers 160°F (70°C). Drain off the pan juices.
- For glaze, combine brown sugar and ground cloves. Add just enough sherry or wine vinegar to make a paste. Spread glaze over fat side of ham.
- Bake ham, uncovered, about 30 minutes more or until the meat thermometer registers 170°F (80°C). Let stand for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing. Transfer to a large platter and, if desired, garnish with pears and lemon leaves.
Makes 25 to 30 servings.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/25 of recipe): calories: 392, total fat: 23g, saturated fat: 8g, cholesterol: 71mg, sodium: 1838mg, carbohydrate: 5g, fiber: 0g, protein: 31g, iron: 11%.
Recipe and photograph provided by Better Homes and Gardens - BHG.com a member of the Home and Family Network for the best of cooking, gardening, decorating and more. © 2003 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved.