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As the main entree for Easter dinner, ham is quite popular. Though there are a variety of hams to choose from, today we're talking about fully-cooked, cured and smoked bone-in or semi-boneless ham.
For perfect baked ham, turn oven to 325 F. Trim skin away from ham, leaving about a 1/4-inch layer of fat. Place ham, fat-side-up, on rack in shallow roasting pan and bake to an internal temperature of 140-degrees F on an instant-read thermometer (10-15 minutes per pound for a whole ham or 18-24 minutes per pound for a half ham,) about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Allow ham to rest 30 minutes before slicing.
To pump up the flavor of the ham, marinate overnight in a mixture of orange juice, ginger ale, brown sugar, ginger and cloves and then baste occasionally while baking. Another option is a sweet pineapple glaze spooned on during the last 30 minutes of baking or a super easy spiced cranberry sauce to pass around the table.
Happy Easter to all!
Pineapple Glaze
(Spread on ham during the last half-hour of baking)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 T. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
1 (8.5-ounce) can crushed pineapple (with syrup)
2 T. fresh lemon juice
1 T. yellow mustard
Directions: In small saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch and salt. Stir in pineapple, syrup, lemon juice and mustard. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, till mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Makes 1 3/4 cups. Before spreading on ham, remove from oven and score fat in diamond shapes. Spoon glaze over. Return to oven and continue to bake 20 to 30 minutes.
Orange-Glazed Ham
1 cup orange juice
1 cup ginger ale
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 T. vegetable oil
1 T. white vinegar
2 tsps. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
Directions: Place ham in large zipper bag or deep vessel with lid. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Pour over ham and seal. Place in large bowl and refrigerate 8 hours, turning occasionally.
When ready to bake, remove ham from the marinade, reserving the marinade for basting. Place ham on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake at 325 F. for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or till a thermometer inserted in the meaty part of the ham reads 140 F. (18 to 24 minutes per pound) basting with reserved marinade every 20 minutes. Serves 14.
Hot Cranberry Sauce
(Pass this flavorful sauce at the table)
1 (16-ounce) can whole cranberry sauce
1 tsp. grated orange zest
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. allspice
Directions: In saucepan, over medium heat, combine all ingredients. Heat, stirring occasionally, till sauce is well blended. Serve warm.