So you want to cook a ham. Good idea. It's going to be great.
First step: Gather your ingredients.
You will need:
1/2 cup whole-grain mustard
3 Tbsp. honey
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup bourbon
1 5-8 pound half ham, butt portion, can be sliced or not
Score your ham.
If it looks like this, you're winning so far.
Make this simple but seriously awesome glaze.
Pour it on your ham.
And use your hands to distribute evenly.
Pack a layer of brown sugar.
Sprinkle on some bourbon.
Bake the ham, uncovered, in a 300 degree oven for 20 minutes per pound. Baste occasionally.
Then use the ham drippings (aka what's left in the pan) to make a sauce!
Here's the full recipe all together.
Serves 8
For cooking ham:
1/2 cup whole-grain mustard
3 Tbsp. honey
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup bourbon
1 5-8 pound half ham, butt portion, can be sliced or not
For sauce:
1 1/2 cup ham drippings or stock
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 cup brown sugar
Pinches of nutmeg
Pinches ground cloves
Score ham in a diamond pattern to 1/4-inch deep (if not sliced). Place ham on rack in roasting pan.
Blend mustard, honey, nutmeg, and cloves.
Using your hands, smear mustard mixture all over surface of ham.
Again using hands, pack brown sugar all over exterior of ham, pressing to be certain it adheres.
Put bourbon in a spray bottle, and mist brown sugar coating to barely moisten. You may not use the entire 1/4 cup. Alternatively, sprinkle your bourbon over the ham.
Bake ham, uncovered, in 300-degree oven for 20 minutes per pound, basting a few times during cooking.
Strain ham drippings, skim as much fat as you wish, and add ham stock to make 1 1/2 cups. Heat in small saucepan over medium heat to boiling. Add brown sugar and spices; cook until thickened and serve over ham at table.
It's going to taste so good.
BUT FIRST: Your ham deserves a beverage (as do you), and you have some leftover bourbon.
Your ham should get an introduction. Southern sherried shrimp will do nicely.
And/or a few deviled eggs.
You know what's pretty good with ham? BISCUITS.
Cut that ham fat with a little salad.
See now you've earned some crispy, cheesy potatoes.
Mmmmm collards.
Maybe your ham deserves a side of cornbread pudding.
...and pomegranate roasted carrots.
No matter what happens, please do not deprive your ham party of a proper pie.
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