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How To Cook A Small Ham In The Oven
A ham is a delicious choice for a special dinner, whether it’s for a holiday or an intimate gathering with friends and family. Cooking a small ham in the oven is easy and straightforward, but it requires some preparation to ensure it comes out perfectly. Here’s all you need to know.
Ingredients:
– 1 small ham, bone-in, fully cooked (about 4-6 pounds)
– 1 cup of water or apple juice
– 1/2 cup of brown sugar
– 1/4 cup of honey
– 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
– 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F.
2. Remove any plastic wrapping and netting from the ham, leaving only the skin/fat cap intact. If the ham is too large for your pan, trim off some of the excess fat.
3. Place the ham in a roasting pan, with the fat cap facing up. Add a cup of water or apple juice to the pan, making sure it covers the bottom. This liquid will help the ham stay moist throughout the cooking process.
4. In a small saucepan, mix the brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the brown sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
5. Brush about half of the glaze over the ham, making sure to cover the top, sides, and edges. Reserve the remaining glaze to apply during the cooking process.
6. Cover the ham loosely with foil, making sure it’s not touching the glaze or the ham. This will prevent the glaze from burning and allow the ham to cook evenly.
7. Bake the ham for about 15-18 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F. Check the temperature using an instant-read thermometer, inserted into the thickest part of the ham (avoid touching the bone, as this can give a false reading).
8. About halfway through the cooking process, remove the foil and brush the remaining glaze over the ham. Repeat every 15 minutes until the ham is done.
9. Once the ham has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes before carving.
Tips:
– If the ham seems to be browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil again.
– For a more intense flavor, you can marinate the ham in the glaze for a few hours or overnight, before baking.
– Leftover ham can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
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