Hey there, fellow food lovers!
Today, I’m super excited to share one of my all-time favorite recipes with you: Sweet and Spicy Mustard Ham. This dish is a fantastic way to elevate an ordinary weeknight dinner or impress guests during a festive gathering. Plus, it fits right in with my focus on Healthy Food Recipes. The best part? It’s as easy to make as it is delicious!
This ham dish strikes the perfect balance between sweet, spicy, and savory. If you’re ready to dive into a world of flavor, grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
### Sweet and Spicy Mustard Ham Recipe
**Ingredients:**
– 1 (3-4 lb) boneless ham
– 1/2 cup honey
– 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
– 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
– 1/4 cup brown sugar
– 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
– 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat and Prep:**
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). While it’s heating up, take a moment to admire that beautiful ham! Pat it dry with paper towels and place it in a roasting pan. This is where the magic begins!
2. **Create the Glaze:**
In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Taste-test for balance—you should get a hint of heat from the cayenne and a lovely tang from the mustard.
*Chef’s Tip:* If you’re not into too much heat, start with half a teaspoon of cayenne and work your way up. Remember, you can always add more spice, but you can’t take it out!
3. **Glaze the Ham:**
Pour half of the sweet and spicy mustard glaze over the entire ham, ensuring it gets into all those nooks and crannies. This glaze is going to caramelize beautifully, giving your ham a gorgeous, mouthwatering finish.
*Personal Insight:* I can’t remember a time when the smell of this glaze baking didn’t pull my family into the kitchen, curious and ready to eat!
4. **Bake Time:**
Cover the roasting pan with foil and pop your ham into the oven. Roast for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Halfway through, baste the ham with the remaining glaze, ensuring that each slice will have that perfect sweet and spicy flavor.
*Healthy Food Recipes Pro Tip:* For a lower calorie option, go easy on the brown sugar or replace it with a natural sugar substitute. It won’t compromise the yum factor!
5. **Broil for Perfection:**
Once your ham is cooked through, remove the foil and turn the broiler on high. Broil the ham for 3-5 minutes until the glaze is bubbling and caramelized, watching closely to avoid burning. This final step adds a deliciously crispy texture!
6. **Rest and Serve:**
Let the ham rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This helps redistribute the juices, making each slice tender and juicy. Serve it up with your favorite sides—steamed veggies, a crisp salad, or even my favorite roasted sweet potatoes for an extra nutritious punch.
There you have it—a Sweet and Spicy Mustard Ham that doesn’t only spark joy on the kitchen table but also aligns with our goal of making healthy, tasty meals accessible to all. Remember, Healthy Food Recipes aren’t just about greens and grains; they’re also about balance, flavor, and enjoying what you eat.
Give this dish a try, and let me know how it turns out in the comments below. And as always, share your tweaks and personal touches to the recipe! Until next time, happy cooking and enjoy the delicious journey. 🍽️💛
Cheers to yummy, healthy food!
[Your Name]