Ham is one of the easiest mains to prepare for a large group—there’s no trussing or stuffing, and carving is straightforward. This recipe yields many servings, so freeze any leftovers to toss into pastas, stir-fries and casseroles later on.
HANDS-ON TIME
40 minutes
TOTAL TIME
5 hours
MAKES
24 to 46 servings
INGREDIENTS
3½ cups pineapple juice
1 piece (3 inches/8 cm) fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
6.5 kg fully cooked smoked bone-in ham
1½ cups packed brown sugar
DIRECTIONS
Pour 1½ cups of the pineapple juice and 1 cup water into roasting pan; sprinkle in one-third of the ginger. Place ham, fat side up, on greased rack in roasting pan. Cover tightly with foil; roast on bottom rack in 325°F (160°C) oven until instant-read thermometer inserted in centre reads 130°F (55°C), about 4 hours.
While ham is baking, in saucepan, stir together brown sugar, remaining pineapple juice and remaining ginger; bring to boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Reduce
heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until glaze is reduced by half and thick enough to coat back of spoon, about 35 minutes. Let cool slightly, about 20 minutes.
Uncover ham; peel off and discard outer skin. Trim fat layer to ¼-inch (5 mm) thickness. Using paring knife, diagonally score remaining fat to make diamond pattern on ham. Brush half of the pineapple glaze over ham.
Roast, uncovered, in 375°F (190°C) oven, brushing with remaining glaze several times throughout (reheat glaze to loosen, if necessary), until glaze is caramelized and golden and instant-read thermometer inserted in centre reads 140°F (60°C), about 30 minutes.
Transfer ham to cutting board; cover loosely with foil and let rest for 15 minutes before carving.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION, PER EACH OF 46 SERVINGS (100 g): about 248 cal, 19 g pro,
15 g total fat (5 g sat. fat), 8 g carb, trace fibre, 55 mg chol, 1,059 mg sodium, 279 mg
potassium. % RDI: 1% calcium, 6% iron, 3% vit C, 2% folate.
TIP FROM THE TEST KITCHEN
It’s a good idea to order the ham from your butcher in advance to ensure you get the size you need, especially for a party.
