Wednesday, December 8, 2010

COOK’S ILLUSTRATED HOLIDAY HAM 101

CI holiday ham (2)
How many times I’ve followed the heating instructions on a spiral-sliced ham only to be disappointed with dried-out slices.  Well, thanks to the good folks at America’s Test Kitchen, that  will never happen again.  Reminding us that the ham is already fully cooked and can be eaten as is, they note that most people prefer it heated.  The trick is to heat the ham without drying it out.  Their fool-proof method produces  moist and delicious spiral-sliced ham.  Soaking the ham in hot tap water for 1-1/2 hours brings the internal temperature of the ham up slowly, reducing the oven time.  Baking at a low temperature (250F) for a short period (about 1-1/2 hours) ensures the ham will stay moist.  CI holiday ham
An 8.5 lb. Smithfield spiral-sliced ham was my starting point.  Instead of using the glazing packet that comes with the ham, I opted to make Nigella Lawson’s Ginger Glaze, which I’ve modified to make less pungent.  Pineapple Stuffing and Glazed Sweet Potatoes  were great side dishes that rounded out this dinner.candied sweets
pineapple stuffing (2)
The Sunday afternoon armchair quarterbacks all agreed that this was the best ham ever, and we were all still raving a week later.  Each slice was moist and delicious.  Another winning recipe from the technicians at America’s favorite test kitchen.CI holiday ham (4)
Cook’s Illustrated Holiday Ham 101
Rating:  10 out of 10
Click for PRINTABLE PAGE
INGREDIENTS:
1 Smithfield spiral-sliced ham, bone in (8-12 lbs.)
1 large oven-cooking bag with tie

Glaze: 
(adapted from Nigella Lawson)
1/2 cup English marmalade
1-1/2 tsp. freshly grated ginger
1 Tbsp. Grey Poupon mustard
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
scant 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 Tbsp. orange juice concentrate

Place ham, left in original packaging and netting, into large container or clean sink.  Cover with hot tap water.  Let sit 45 minutes.  Empty water and refill with hot tap water for another 45 minutes.  (Note:  I used my clean, deep sink, and the water stayed hot for 1-1/2 hours, eliminating the need to empty and refill.) 

Heat oven to 250F.  Adjust oven rack to lowest position.  Remove ham from water and from packaging, remembering to remove the plastic disk covering ham bone.  Place ham inside large oven bag, making sure that the cut side is at bottom of bag.  Gather bag tightly around ham.  Secure with twist tie.  Place in large roasting pan.  Cut 4 small slits in top of bag with knife.  Bake ham until internal temperature reaches 100F (about 90 minutes, or 10 minutes per pound.) 

In the meantime, combine glaze ingredients in small saucepan; heat, stirring, until well mixed and spreadable.  Remove ham from oven; untie bag and roll down sides.  Keep juices inside bag.  Increase heat to 350F.  Slowly pour about 1/2 of glaze over ham, brushing it in as you pour.  Return to oven 10 minutes.  Repeat.  Transfer ham to cutting board.  Serve as desired.
CI holiday ham (3)

9 comments:

Barbara Bakes said...

We prefer our ham heated too and have often had dried out ham as a result. So glad to learn this method. Thanks!

Diane said...

Mmmmmmmm mouth watering. Diane

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

so much dried out food is served on T-day. this is a GREAT post and remonder

teresa said...

ham is such a delicious holiday dish, i love it! this looks delicious!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Thanks for the info, Judy! I'm making a ham for Christmas so, this is just in time!
~ingrid

Leigha7 said...

I made this ham for Thanksgiving, and everyone said it was the best ham they'd ever eaten-myself included!! I didn't even bother with the glaze, because the ham itself was so moist, flavorful and delicious. I am making it again tonight, and am going to glaze it with a bourbon glaze that I've used before that is to die for, and more to my taste! Thank you so much for this post!! :)

Judy said...

Hi, Leigha7, Your comments are appreciated. Bourbon glaze sounds yummy, would love to have that recipe. 😊

izzyhill said...

I've made this ham every year for our annual New Years Day party, people demand it! Thanks for the recipe.

Judy said...

Hi, izzy, thanks so much for your comment. It's always nice to know that someone has had a good result. Great idea to serve ham at a New Year's Day party, too. After all, it's pork --isn't that supposed to be good luck to serve pork on New Year's Day?