Glazed Christmas Ham

Here’s a fantastic glaze recipe for a hame on the bone that will make your Christmas centrepiece absolutely delicious. It combines sweet, tangy, and spicy flavours for a perfectly caramelised finish.

Ingredients:

For a 4-6 kg ham on the bone

• 1 cup (250ml) orange juice
• 1/2 cup (125ml) maple syrup or honey
• 1/2 cup (125g) brown sugar
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
• 1/4 cup (60ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional for smokey flavour)

Optional garnish:

• Whole cloves for studding
• Orange slices or fresh herbs for decoration

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the ham

1. Preheat the oven: set your oven to 160C
2. prepare the ham

• Remove the skin from the ham, leaving a thin layer of fat.
• Score the fat in a crisscross pattern with a sharp knife, being careful not to cut into the meat.
• (Optional) Stud each diamond of fat with a whole clove for extra aroma and visual appeal.

Step 2: Make the glaze

1. In a small saucepan, combine the orange juice, maple syrup (or honey), brown sugar, Dijon mustard, wholegrain mustard, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and smoked paprika.
2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Let it reduce for 5-7 minutes until thickened slightly.

Step 3: Glaze the ham

1. Place the ham in a roasting pan lined with foil or baking paper (to catch drips and make cleanup easier)
2. Brush the blaze generously over the ham ensuring it is fully coated.

Step 4: Roast the ham

1. Roast the ham in the preheated oven for 1.5-2 hours, basting with the glaze every 20-30 minutes.
2. If the top browns too quickly, cover it loosely with foil.

Step 5: Finish and serve

1. Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
2. Garnish with orange slices, fresh herbs, or festive decorations if desired.

 

Pro Tips

• Extra glaze: Serve any leftover glaze on the side as a sauce.
• Make ahead: You can prepare the glaze a day in advance and reheat it before using.
• Flavour boost: Add grated fresh ginger to the glaze for an extra zing.

This recipe will give you a tender, flavourful ham with a beautifully caramelised, sticky glaze that your guests will rave about.