Glazed Ham is the easiest holiday centrepiece but can seem daunting if youre new to it!
Its theRecipeTin Eats Ultimate Holiday Baked Ham Guide!
Use with your favourite glaze classicBrown Sugar Ham Glazeor my extra specialMaple Ham Glaze.
Cut face of half ham leg
Contents
Introduction1.
Best ham for Glazed Ham2.
How much ham to buy3.
How to peel the rind (skin) off ham4.
How to score the fat(ie cut into diamonds)5.
Making the ham glaze6.
How to glaze ham7.
How to bake Glazed Ham8.
How long to cook glazed ham9.
Cut face of half ham leg
How to avoid burnt bits10.
What sauce to serve with ham11.
How to serve Glazed Ham12.
How to make ahead (100% perfect!)13.
What to do with leftover ham
INTRODUCTION: Glazed Ham is easier than you think!
So are you ready?
So how do you choose a ham?Heres my advice!
Bone in always get a bone in ham, if you’re able to.
Itsfar juicierthan boneless ham, because juices run out of the hole where the bone was cut out.
NOT raw hameg gammon Thats a whole different recipe as the meat is raw and needs to be cooked!
I take a more pragmatic view.
Buy the best you could afford.
The more you pay, the better quality it will be, translating into better flavour.
As the only main protein 5 people per 1 kg / 2 lb ham (bone in weight).
So a 5 kg / 10lb ham would serve 25 people, about 150g/5oz meat per person..
Fat = sticky glaze!
This part is easy the skin WANTS to come off!
The top of the ham will be completely covered in rind.
Here is how to remove the rind.
IMPORTANT: Just remove the skin, leave as much fat as you might.
The fat is what creates the caramelisation!
Score fat
TIP:Just score lightly about 75% of the way through the fat.
Scoring fat just means you cut diamonds into the ham fat.
This serves a few purposes:
You get caramelised edges on each diamond caramelisation is flavour!
The glaze seeps into the crevices and into the ham meat; and
It just looks good.
Easy fix just disguise it by basting into the crevice a lot as the pan juices cool and thicken.
The extra basting stains the crevice so its not as noticeable!
If fat diamonds fall off, stick them back on with a toothpick.
They usually glue themselves back on with the glaze as the ham rests and the glaze thickens!
Make ham glaze
Make your ham glaze its dead easy, just mix!
Brown Sugar Mustard Ham Glaze this is the classic that everybody loves!
How to make ham glaze It is literally just a dump-and-mix job.
How far in advance can you make the ham glaze?Days in advance.
How to glaze ham
TIP:Glaze ALOT after it comes out of the oven!
This is when you’ve got the option to really get thatdeep golden colourandthick glaze.
The glazing part is no different to brushing and basting anything thats marinated!
Pour / brush the glaze onto the ham.
Level the surface this will ensure your ham caramelises more evenly.
Sugar in glaze = burnt mess = cant baste using pan juices + no sauce .
Plus, water = more moist environment for your ham.
Lower the temp slightly youll thank me later!
Baste, baste, baste!Baste lots every 20 minutes.
More basting = better glaze!
Baste LOADSbefore serving This is where magic happens, especially if youve got bits that didnt caramelise well.
Wrap the handle for practical purposes, so you might hold it.
Its to ensure any food germs are obliterated.
*Sorry for off-putting germ talk!!
*
9.
How to avoid burnt bits
One problem that many people run into is uneven caramelisation of the ham.
Some parts brown faster than others, so you end up with burnt bits or under caramelised bits.
But if you do accidentally peel some off, dont worry.
Just use the pan juices to paint the patch and it will be as good as new!
Its loaded with flavour from both the Glaze you use AND the juices of the ham.
The flavour isveryintense so you dont lose flavour at all.
Other sauce options:chutney,Cranberry Sauce, mustard, caramelised onion jam.
How to serve Glazed Ham
This is where the immature side of me comes out…
I like to have the whole ham on the table for people tooohandaaahover before I start carving!
The only catering job I do every year…because I cant say NO to my mother!
This is for practical and presentation purposes it gives you something to hold onto when carving!
Sometimes I add a sprig of rosemary as well or steal a sprig off the Christmas tree.
How to make ahead (100% perfect!)
Yes, really, ham is 100% perfect for making or preparing ahead.
Remove pan juices and place in an airtight container.
Doesnt this look like it was freshly made??
They last for weeks often over a month.
How long does Glazed Ham keep in the fridge?
1 week, if stored in a ham bag or pillowcase.
Usually longer just smell it.
You will know if it is no longer good.
Why do you should probably use a ham bag?
How to freeze leftover ham
Leftover ham can be frozen for up to 3 months.
It is better if you freeze blocks then slice it after thawing the ham is nicer.
But it’s possible for you to also freeze slices.
For blocks, wrap in cling wrap then place in an airtight container and freeze.
For slices, just place in an airtight container.
Prevent screen from sleeping
Dont forget to freeze the ham bone too!See below for ham bone recipes.
Id recommend cutting the glazed bits off before putting into the ham bag otherwise it will instantly stain it.
Store the glazed bits in a separate container;
Place in the fridge.
Prevent screen from sleeping
What to do with leftover ham
The best part!!
Here are recipes I think are worthy of making with your precious leftover Glazed Ham.
For a full list, see thisWhat To Do With Leftover Ham 30+ recipespost.
Pea and Ham Soup made easy using the slow cooker.
The ham bone makes the most incredible soup stock!
3 IngredientChinese Ham Bone Congee(rice soup) its epic and its a thing.
The Chinese community goes nuts over leftover ham bones every Christmas!
Leftover Ham Bone recipes
And there you have it.
My Holiday Ham Guide!
