Home-Style Glazed Ham

Home-Style Glazed Ham: A Holiday Tradition Reimagined

As a busy working mom, time is my most precious commodity. Holidays, while cherished, often feel like a whirlwind of activity, leaving little room for elaborate cooking projects. This year, I decided to ditch the stress and focus on creating a delicious holiday ham that’s both impressive and surprisingly simple. The key? A masterful glaze that elevates a simple shank ham to a culinary masterpiece.

Forget complicated recipes and hours spent slaving over a hot stove. This home-style glazed ham recipe is my secret weapon for effortless holiday entertaining. The rich, tangy glaze takes just minutes to prepare, and the slow-roasting method ensures a perfectly tender, juicy ham every time. It's the perfect dish to impress your family and friends without sacrificing precious time or sanity.

The Magic of the Glaze: The heart of this recipe lies in the simple yet incredibly flavorful glaze. The combination of honey, brown sugar, molasses, orange juice, and Dijon mustard creates a harmonious blend of sweetness, tanginess, and a subtle hint of spice. The glaze is remarkably easy to make; simply whisk together the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until it thickens. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld together, creating a deep and complex taste that elevates the entire dish.

A Stress-Free Roasting Process: Once the glaze is ready, the rest is a breeze. Place your ham in a roasting pan, pop it in the oven, and let it do its thing. The low and slow cooking method ensures that the ham stays incredibly moist and tender, preventing it from drying out. The periodic basting with the glaze adds another layer of flavor and creates a beautiful, glossy finish. The best part? You can largely leave it to its own devices. The only required action on your part is basting every so often; this gives you freedom to attend to other tasks or relax and enjoy the holiday festivities.

Serving Suggestions: This ham is incredibly versatile. It's perfect for a holiday feast, a casual weekend dinner, or even a simple weeknight meal. It can be served as is, sliced and enjoyed with your favorite sides. I love pairing it with some roasted root vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad for a well-rounded and satisfying meal. Leftovers are equally delicious in sandwiches, salads, or even chopped up and added to pasta dishes. The leftover glaze is incredible too and can be saved and used in other recipes!

Making Memories, Not Just Ham: For me, cooking isn’t just about creating delicious food; it’s about making memories. It's about gathering around the table with loved ones, sharing stories, and creating moments that will last a lifetime. This ham recipe is more than just a dish; it's a symbol of the joy and togetherness that makes the holidays so special. So this year, ditch the stress, embrace the simplicity, and create a holiday that’s as delicious and memorable as the ham itself.

This simple recipe has become my go-to for every holiday. The combination of a flavorful glaze and the convenience of a slow-roasting method makes it the perfect recipe for busy individuals like myself who want to create a memorable holiday meal without spending all day in the kitchen. The wonderful aroma alone creates excitement and builds anticipation within the family. The end result is a mouthwatering masterpiece that always leaves everyone wanting more. I hope you try this recipe and create a holiday tradition your family will cherish for years to come.

Beyond the Holidays: While this ham is a holiday staple, it’s versatile enough to enjoy year-round. A delicious Sunday dinner or a special occasion meal. It's a dish that always impresses, no matter the occasion.

So, gather your ingredients, put on some holiday music, and get ready to create a truly memorable meal. Happy cooking!

Step-by-step

• Blend brown sugar, honey, molasses, orange juice, and mustard together in a saucepan over medium-low heat until thickened, about 45 minutes.
• Remove from heat. Let glaze sit until flavors blend, 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C). Place ham in a roasting pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven, checking occasionally, about 10 hours. If ham begins to darken at that point, cover with aluminum foil.
• Continue baking, about 2 hours more.
• Increase oven temperature to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
• Bake, coating ham thoroughly with the glaze mixture every 30 minutes, about 2 hours more.
• Remove from the oven and let stand 15 to 20 minutes before slicing.
• Serve any remaining glaze with ham, if desired.