Christmas Ham Recipe
Imagine your holiday table adorned with a glistening Christmas ham, the centerpiece of your festive feast. This unique Christmas Ham recipe combines the perfect blend of sweetness and spice to create a mouth-watering delight that will surely impress your family and friends. This Christmas ham promises to be a highlight of your holiday celebrations.
Fact:
Did you know that the tradition of serving ham at Christmas dates back to ancient Germanic tribes? They celebrated the winter solstice with a feast featuring wild boar, which symbolized fertility and prosperity. Over time, this tradition evolved into the cherished custom of enjoying ham during Christmas feasts in many cultures around the world.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve your Christmas ham with classic holiday sides like creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and a tangy cranberry sauce. For an added touch of elegance, garnish the ham with fresh sprigs of rosemary and slices of orange. Complement the meal with a crisp green salad and warm dinner rolls to round out the feast.
Storing Instructions:
To store leftovers, wrap the ham tightly in aluminum foil or place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to five days. For longer storage, slice the ham and place the slices in freezer-safe bags or containers. The ham can be frozen for up to two months.
Reheating Instructions:
To reheat, preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Place the ham slices in an oven-safe dish, adding a splash of water or broth to keep them moist. Cover with aluminum foil and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. For a quicker option, microwave the slices on a microwave-safe plate, covered with a damp paper towel, in 30-second intervals until hot.
Conclusion:
We hope this Christmas ham recipe adds a touch of joy and flavour to your holiday celebrations. We'd love to hear how your festive feast turned out! Share your experiences in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe for more delightful recipes and holiday inspiration. Wishing you a merry and delicious Christmas!
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How to Make Christmas Ham
This delightful Christmas ham is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table. Glazed with a rich blend of brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, orange juice, and aromatic spices, it boasts a beautiful, caramelized finish. Garnished with fresh rosemary and orange slices, this festive dish promises to bring joy and flavor to your celebrations. Perfectly paired with classic holiday sides, it’s sure to impress your family and friends.
- 4 kg bone-in ham
- 120 ml Ginger ale or water
- 1/2 cup butter (115 g)
- 1 cup brown sugar (200 g)
- 1/4 cup honey (60 ml)
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup orange juice (60 ml)
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).
- Prepare the ham
Place the ham in a large roasting pan. Using a sharp knife, score the top of the ham in a diamond pattern, making cuts about 1 cm deep. Pour the ginger ale or water into the bottom of the roasting pan.
- Make the glaze
In a medium saucepan over low-medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, orange juice, crushed garlic, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes slightly thickened. Do not let it boil.
- Glaze the ham
Brush half of the glaze over the ham, making sure to get it into the scored cuts. Cover the ham loosely with aluminum foil.
- Bake the ham
Place the ham in the oven and bake for 1.5 hours. Remove the foil and brush the remaining glaze over the ham. Increase the oven temperature to 180°C (350°F) and bake for an additional 30-45 minutes, basting every 10 minutes with the pan juices, until the ham is caramelized and golden brown.
- Rest the ham
Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 250kcal
- Calories from Fat 117kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 13g20%
- Saturated Fat 5g25%
- Cholesterol 60mg20%
- Sodium 900mg38%
- Potassium 300mg9%
- Total Carbohydrate 15g5%
- Sugars 14g
- Protein 18g36%
- Vitamin A 50 IU
- Vitamin C 1 mg
- Calcium 20 mg
- Iron 1 mg
- Vitamin E 0.3 IU
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
- Ensure the ham is fully thawed before cooking for even heat distribution.
- For a deeper flavour, marinate the ham with the glaze overnight.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the ham reaches 70°C (160°F) before serving.
Fiona O'Sullivan is the passionate editor of Great Food Ireland, a popular blog dedicated to celebrating traditional Irish cuisine and culinary heritage. With a rich background in food writing and a deep love for Ireland's gastronomic culture, Fiona brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to her role. She curates authentic recipes, shares culinary stories, and explores the vibrant food scene across Ireland. Fiona's dedication to promoting Irish food traditions has made Great Food Ireland a beloved resource for food enthusiasts around the world.
