Recipe Background
Joy to the World Glazed Ham features a brandy glaze and a spicy kick, perfect for a festive and memorable holiday gathering.
The first time I made my Joy to the World Glazed Ham was a holiday to remember, and not just because of the perfect crusty exterior. It was on a frosty December evening, marked by the arrival of my very first tax refund. I decided to splurge a bit on a festive dinner with friends, aiming to create something that felt both celebratory and cozy. Skimming through my pantry, I found a bottle of brandy, intended for baking but untouched, and realized it was the missing touch for a decadent glaze. It was going to be a night no one would forget.
The kitchen became my festive workshop. As I prepared the glaze, the room filled with a sweet, spicy aroma. I stirred in the brown sugar, letting it blend with the robust notes of brandy and whole grain mustard, each ingredient carefully chosen to complement the smoked ham. A sprinkle of cayenne added a surprising kick, which earned appreciative nods from my friends later. Lining the baking sheet with foil made the cleanup easy, a tip for any host looking to savor post-dinner conversations rather than scrubbing dishes.
By the time everyone arrived, the house smelled like a culinary dream, and the ham glistened with a joyful sheen. The moment the knives sliced through the grid-patterned masterpiece, revealing perfectly tender slices beneath the crust, I knew this dish had become a new tradition. Letting it rest ensured each slice was clean and picture-perfect, a personal touch that made the meal feel artful. It was an evening defined by good company, hearty food, and warm laughter, sealed with an unforgettable ham that would grace every future gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 (8-10-pound) smoked ham
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Lay the ham on the prepared baking sheet flat-side down.
- Score the ham with cuts, 1-inch and 1/4-inch-deep, in a grid pattern across the entire surface of the ham.
- In a medium bowl, mix the brown sugar, the brandy, the whole grain mustard, the cornstarch, the ground cumin, the coriander, the allspice, the cayenne pepper, and the salt until a glaze forms.
- Rub 1/2 of the glaze over the surface of the ham.
- Bake the ham for 45 minutes.
- Rub the remaining glaze over the ham and return it to the oven until the exterior is dark and crusty and the ham is warmed through, about 45-75 minutes.
- Serve.
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