Hey there, fellow food lovers! Spring is in the air, which means it’s the perfect time to start planning delicious meals for family gatherings or a casual Sunday feast. Today, I’m super excited to share with you my take on Ree’s Glazed Ham. This dish is not only a showstopper but also fits right into our healthy food recipes category, giving you that rich, savory flavor without completely derailing your healthy eating goals. Let’s dive into this delicious glazed ham recipe that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!
### The Importance of a Good Glaze
Before we start, let’s chat for a second about one of the stars of this recipe — the glaze! A good glaze can transform a simple ham into a sweet, savory, and irresistible centerpiece. We’re talking about a glaze that gets all caramelized and sticky, coating the ham in a burst of flavor. The best part? We’re keeping this part of our healthy food recipes by using natural sweeteners and spices for flavor.
### Ingredients You’ll Need:
– 1 whole fully cooked bone-in ham (about 10 to 15 pounds)
– 1 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar (stick with coconut sugar for the healthy food recipes angle)
– 1 cup honey
– 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
– Orange zest from one orange
– Freshly ground black pepper
#### Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. **Preheat Your Oven:** Get excited as you preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). This gives you the perfect setting for a slow-roasting, juicy ham.
2. **Prepare the Ham:** Place your ham, flat side down, in a large roasting pan. Use a sharp knife to score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern. This not only looks fancy but also ensures the glaze seeps into all the nooks and crannies!
3. **Make the Glaze:** In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar/coconut sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, ground cloves, and orange zest. Stir and let it simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens. Treat it like a potion of healthy food recipes magic!
4. **Glaze the Ham:** Pour about a third of the glaze mixture over the ham, brushing it with love and care. Reserve the rest of the glaze for later.
5. **Cover and Bake:** Cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil and pop it in the preheated oven. Roast for about 15 minutes per pound of ham. Remember, patience is a virtue in delicious cooking, especially in healthy food recipes.
6. **Baste Regularly:** About every 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil and baste the ham with the reserved glaze. It’s like laying on layers of flavor and keeps the ham succulent.
7. **Uncover for Final Browning:** For the last 30 minutes, remove the foil to let the glaze get beautifully caramelized, giving you that golden, scrumptious finish.
8. **Rest and Serve:** Once done, remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes. This allows all those mouthwatering juices to redistribute. Then, slice and serve to your happy guests!
### Tips and Insights
– **Choosing Your Ham:** Opt for a ham that’s nitrate-free if possible. Remember, keeping things natural aligns this recipe with the healthy food recipes vibe we love.
– **Flavor Boosters:** Don’t be shy to experiment by adding your favorite spices or a splash of bourbon or maple syrup to the glaze for an extra kick.
– **Leftovers Galore:** Glazed ham makes for fantastic leftovers. Dice up any remaining meat for salads, sandwiches, or omelets throughout the week for more healthy food recipes delight.
This take on Ree’s Glazed Ham is not only delicious but will impress your loved ones while keeping things on the healthier side. I hope you enjoy making this as much as you’ll love eating it! Share your ham-tastic adventures down in the comments. Until next time, happy cooking, and keep crafting those healthy food recipes! 🍽️❤️