How To Make Glazed Ham

Step 1

Take ham out of fridge 1 hour prior.

Step 2

Preheat oven to 160°C / 320°F (140°C fan). Arrange shelf in lower third so the ham will be sitting in the centre of the oven (rather than in top half of oven).

Step 3

Make Glaze per recipe.

Step 4

Run small knife around bone handle, cutting through rind.

Step 5

Cut the rind down each side of the ham, from the cut face of the ham, down to the cut you jujst made around the handle of the bone.

Step 6

Run the knife between the fat and the skin on the cut face of the ham.

Step 7

Slide fingers under the rind on the cut face of the ham, and run them back and forth to loosen so you can get your fingers under.

Step 8

Start pulling back, while continuing to slide fingers back and forth. The rind comes of fairly easily. Use knife if needed to slice off any residual rind.

Step 9

Lightly cut 2.5cm / 1" diamonds across the fat surface of the ham, about 75% of the way into the fat. Avoid cutting into the meat.

Step 10

Insert a clove in the intersection of the cross of each diamond on the surface (optional).

Step 11

Place the ham in a large baking dish. Prop handle up on edge of pan + scrunched up foil so surface of the ham is level (more even browning).

Step 12

Brush / spoon half the glaze all over the surface and cut face of the ham (don't worry about underside, glaze drips down into pan)

Step 13

Pour the water in the baking dish, then place in the oven.

Step 14

Bake for 2 hrs, basting very generously every 30 minutes with remainig glaze + juices in pan, or until sticky and golden.

Step 15

Use foil patches to protect bits that brown faster than others - press on lightly, caramelisation won't peel off with the foil.

Step 16

Allow to rest for at least 20 minutes before serving. Baste, baste, baste before serving - as the glaze in the pan cools, it thickens which means it "paints" the ham even better - but be sure to save pan juices for drizzling.

Step 17

Sauce: Use pan juices as the sauce - it's loaded with flavour. Drizzle sparingly as the glaze flavour is intense! Note juices need to be warm for drizzling, it thickens when cooled. Thin slightly with water if required.

Step 18

Presentation: Wrap handle with baking paper and ribbon if desired. Remove cloves, if you used them. Cover serving platter with lots of green fluffage, then place ham on. Surround with quartered oranges or other fruit, for colour. Let people admire before carving!

Step 19

Serving: Personal preference whether to serve at room temp or warm, I like either. I also like to drizzle with pan juices - it looks messier but tastes fabulous. Slice thinly! I start slicing at the table, then finish it in the kitchen (towards end when it gets messy!)

Step 20

Leftovers: See list in post for recipe using leftover ham and ham bone!