Description of this recipe: This Pineapple-Glazed Ham is a show-stopping centerpiece perfect for any holiday gathering or special occasion. The combination of a perfectly cooked, savory ham and a vibrant, sweet, and tangy pineapple glaze creates a flavor explosion that will delight your taste buds and impress your guests. The scoring technique ensures the glaze penetrates deep into the ham, infusing it with moisture and flavor from the inside out.
Why you will love this recipe: This recipe offers a fantastic balance of flavors and textures. The sweetness of the pineapple perfectly complements the saltiness of the ham, creating a harmonious and irresistible combination. The brown sugar adds a rich caramel note, while the Dijon mustard provides a subtle tang and the ground cloves contribute a warm, aromatic spice. The glaze not only enhances the flavor of the ham but also creates a beautiful, glossy presentation that is sure to impress. Furthermore, the recipe is relatively straightforward, requiring minimal hands-on time, making it an ideal choice for busy hosts who want to serve a memorable meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The bone-in ham ensures a moist and flavorful result, and the scoring technique allows the glaze to penetrate deeply, creating a truly unforgettable culinary experience. Finally, leftovers are delicious and versatile, perfect for sandwiches, salads, or omelets.
Introduction
The holiday season often calls for a centerpiece dish that is both impressive and delicious. While turkey often steals the spotlight, a beautifully glazed ham can be just as captivating, especially when prepared with a vibrant and flavorful glaze. This Pineapple-Glazed Ham recipe is a twist on the classic, adding a tropical touch that will elevate your festive meal. The combination of sweet, tangy, and savory elements makes it a crowd-pleaser, and the relatively simple preparation ensures that you can spend more time enjoying the company of your loved ones rather than slaving away in the kitchen.
This recipe starts with a pre-cooked bone-in ham, making it a convenient option for those who want to minimize cooking time. The key to a truly exceptional glazed ham lies in the glaze itself. The combination of crushed pineapple, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves creates a symphony of flavors that perfectly complements the ham’s savory profile. The scoring technique is crucial, as it allows the glaze to penetrate deep into the meat, ensuring that every bite is bursting with flavor. The slow baking process ensures that the ham is heated through evenly and that the glaze caramelizes beautifully, creating a stunning presentation.
Let’s embark on this culinary adventure and create a Pineapple-Glazed Ham that will become a cherished tradition for years to come.
Ingredients:
- 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (7 to 9 pounds)
- 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). This moderate temperature allows the ham to heat through gently without drying out, and it also helps the glaze to caramelize slowly and evenly. Prepare a shallow roasting pan by placing a rack inside. The rack is essential as it allows the heat to circulate around the ham, ensuring even cooking and preventing the bottom from becoming soggy.
Step 2: Carefully place the ham on the rack in the prepared roasting pan. Now, using a sharp knife, score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern. Make the cuts about 1/2 inch deep and spaced about 1 inch apart. This scoring is crucial as it creates channels for the glaze to penetrate deep into the ham, infusing it with flavor and moisture. The diamond pattern also adds a visually appealing touch to the finished product. Be sure to cut through the skin and fat layer, but avoid cutting too deeply into the meat itself.
Step 3: Cover the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil. This step is important as it helps to retain moisture and prevent the ham from drying out during the initial baking process. Bake the ham covered for 1 1/2 hours. This allows the ham to heat through evenly and prepares it for the glaze. After 1 1/2 hours, remove the foil.
Step 4: While the ham is baking, prepare the pineapple glaze. In a small bowl, combine the crushed pineapple (undrained), packed brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the brown sugar is dissolved. The crushed pineapple provides a sweet and tangy base for the glaze, while the brown sugar adds a rich caramel flavor. The Dijon mustard contributes a subtle tanginess, and the ground cloves add a warm, aromatic spice that complements the other flavors beautifully.
Step 5: After the ham has baked covered for 1 1/2 hours, remove it from the oven and carefully spread the pineapple glaze evenly over the surface of the ham. Use a spoon or pastry brush to ensure that the glaze is generously applied and that it gets into all the crevices created by the scoring. Press the glaze lightly into the cuts to ensure maximum flavor penetration. Once the ham is glazed, return it to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 30-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Basting the ham with the glaze every 15 minutes during this final baking period will ensure a beautiful, glossy finish and enhance the flavor even further. Use a meat thermometer to accurately monitor the internal temperature.
COOKING Rating: Intermediate
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve the Pineapple-Glazed Ham hot as the centerpiece of your holiday meal or special occasion.
- Accompany it with classic side dishes such as mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and cranberry sauce.
- Consider serving it with a tropical-inspired side dish such as coconut rice or mango salsa to complement the pineapple glaze.
- For a casual gathering, slice the ham and serve it on slider buns with a dollop of the glaze.
- Leftover ham is delicious in sandwiches, salads, omelets, or diced into soups and stews.
Tips:
- For an even more intense pineapple flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of pineapple juice to the glaze.
- If you prefer a spicier glaze, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mixture.
- To prevent the glaze from burning, you can loosely tent the ham with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
- Allow the ham to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful result.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes
Nutritional Information:
(Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.)
Calories: Approximately 350-450 per serving
Protein: Approximately 30-40 grams per serving
Sodium: Approximately 800-1200mg per serving
Conclusion
This Pineapple-Glazed Ham recipe is a delicious and impressive dish that is perfect for any special occasion. The combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors will delight your taste buds and impress your guests. With its relatively simple preparation and stunning presentation, this ham is sure to become a cherished tradition for years to come. Enjoy!
Questions and Answers:
Q1: Can I use a different type of ham for this recipe?
A: While a bone-in ham is recommended for its flavor and moisture, you can use a boneless ham if you prefer. However, keep in mind that boneless hams tend to dry out more quickly, so you may need to reduce the cooking time slightly. Be sure to monitor the internal temperature closely to prevent overcooking. You can also use a spiral-cut ham. Be extra careful glazing the ham to get the glaze in between the slices.
Q2: Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the glaze up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before using, allow it to come to room temperature and stir well to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed. This can be a great time-saver if you are preparing a large holiday meal.
Q3: What is the best way to carve the ham?
A: Place the ham on a cutting board with the cut-side down. Slice straight down, following the bone, to release a section of meat. Then, turn the ham and slice down again to release another section. Continue this process until you have removed all the meat from the bone. Slice the meat into thin, even slices and arrange them on a serving platter. A sharp carving knife is essential for achieving clean, even slices.
Q4: How long can I store leftover ham?
A: Leftover ham should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftover ham for up to 2-3 months. When freezing, wrap the ham tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
Q5: Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
A: Yes, you can use fresh pineapple if you prefer. You will need about 2 cups of diced fresh pineapple. Simply crush the pineapple slightly with a fork or in a food processor before adding it to the glaze. Fresh pineapple may have a slightly different sweetness level than canned, so you may need to adjust the amount of brown sugar accordingly.
