I’m sure you’re already familiar with the deliciousness of honey glazed ham. But do you know its traditional history and how to make it?
In this article, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know about making a perfect honey glazed ham. From ingredients and cooking tips to expert advice on glazing, by the end, you’ll be ready to serve up a delightful dish for your family or friends.
Traditional History
You’ve probably heard of honey glazed ham – it’s been around for centuries!
The traditional recipe has a rich history, starting with its use in ancient Rome. It was later adopted by the French, who applied their own version of the sweet and savory flavors to the dish.
By the 18th century, honey glazed ham had become popular among British cooks and eventually made its way to America.
In recent years, this classic dish has seen a resurgence in popularity due to its versatility and ability to be served at any gathering. Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner or throwing a Christmas party, honey-glazed ham is sure to leave your guests feeling satisfied!
Ingredients (4 serves)
For four servings, you’ll need:
- 4-5 lb. fully cooked ham
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon orange juice concentrate
- 2 teaspoons ground cloves
This classic holiday dish is sure to please! Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just a Sunday dinner, this honey glazed ham will be the star of your meal. It’s easy to make, and all you need are five simple ingredients.
All the flavors come together in harmony—sweetness from the honey, tanginess from the mustard and orange juice concentrate, and a hint of warmth from the ground cloves.
Serve with roasted vegetables for an unforgettable meal that everyone will enjoy!
Cooking Recipe
To make this delicious dish, start by preheating your oven to 350°F.
Place the honey-glazed ham in a roasting pan and cover it with foil.
Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, then remove the foil.
Baste the ham with its own juices every 15 minutes until it’s golden brown and crisp on top.
Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!
With just a few simple steps, you can create an amazing honey glazed ham that is sure to please family and friends alike.
By following these instructions, you will be sure to achieve succulent results every time!
Expert Tips: Glazing
Glazing can be tricky, but with a little know-how, you can make your ham stand out.
It’s important to get the ratio of heat and sugar just right for an optimal glaze – too much heat will burn the sugars while too little won’t allow for caramelization.
Basting frequently throughout cooking is also key, as this ensures that all sides are evenly coated.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to have a delicious honey glazed ham!
Heat & Sugar Ratio
The sugar-to-heat ratio for a honey glazed ham is crucial. Too much heat and the ham will burn, too much sugar and it’ll be overly sweet. It could be easy to get carried away with sweetness when preparing a glaze, but having the right balance of ingredients is key.
For most recipes, you want about two tablespoons of sugar per tablespoon of liquid or fat used in your glaze. This will help create a nice caramelization on your ham without overpowering its natural flavor. When the honey is added to the mix, you may need to adjust this ratio slightly as it can make the glaze sweeter than expected.
Keep in mind that adding additional heat can also bring out more caramelized flavors in your dish, so don’t worry about adding some extra! By following these guidelines and adjusting them to suit your tastes, you’ll be sure to create a perfectly balanced honey glazed ham that all guests will enjoy!
Basting Frequency
Basting is essential for achieving a delicious honey-flavored ham, and it should be done frequently. During cooking, the glaze needs to be applied every 15 minutes or so – more often as the heat increases.
You’ll know it’s time to baste when you hear that delightful sizzling sound as the sugar caramelizes on the surface of the ham. Make sure not to miss any spots when applying your glaze – get into all those nooks and crannies!
Be careful not to overbaste, though, because too much liquid can make your ham tough and dry. The key is finding the perfect balance between sweet and savory, crunchy and tender, juicy and succulent.
With just a little effort, you can create an amazing honey glazed ham that will wow your guests!
Caramelization
Caramelization is key for creating a flavorful and delicious dish. So, make sure to apply the glaze every 15 minutes or so in order to get that perfect crunch.
Don’t be afraid to go the extra mile. If you’re really looking for that signature honey glazed ham, you’ll want to ensure your glaze is caramelizing nicely. Trust me, it’s worth the effort!
You can tell when your glaze has reached perfection because it will start to turn golden brown and become slightly sticky. If it starts getting darker than this, take it off the heat right away as it will have burnt.
Making sure you get that nice caramelization going on your glaze will give your dish an amazing flavor profile and provide a great texture with those bits of crunchy goodness!
Serve up this masterpiece at your next dinner party and watch everyone ooh and aah in delight!
Final Thoughts: Serving
Serving your honey glazed ham warm is a great way to show off the caramelization of the glaze and its mouth-watering flavor. So, make sure you use an oven thermometer when baking your ham – you don’t want it to be undercooked or overcooked! To ensure even cooking, turn the ham over halfway through baking.
Once removed from the oven, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. As far as presentation goes, there’s nothing like a gorgeous platter with fruit and vegetables arranged around a beautiful honey glazed ham – it’s sure to impress any crowd! And don’t forget to drizzle some extra glaze on top for added flavor and visual appeal.
When all is said and done, enjoy every bite of that deliciousness!
Conclusion
I’ve made this honey glazed ham recipe a few times and each time it has been a hit!
It’s so easy to make and the taste is unbeatable. With the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, each bite of this glazed ham is simply delicious.
If you’ve never tried making a glazed ham before, I highly recommend giving it a go – you won’t be disappointed!