This is the ham that led directly to whatever childhood memory caused someone to combine ham and pineapple on a pizza. The sweet, slightly fiery and herbaceous crust on this salty haunch practically calls out for a garnish of caramelized pineapple, if not a spray of maraschino cherries. Others may reverse course and apply mustard. Either way, it is good to serve with a nutty wild rice or potatoes au grain, something with backbone.

Ingredients

  • 1 7-to-8-pound bone-in ham Whole cloves
  • 1½ teaspoons dry mustard powder
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup dry sherry
  • Nutritional Information
    • Nutritional analysis per serving (10 servings)

      1021 calories; 44 grams fat; 13 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 12 grams polyunsaturated fat; 244 grams carbohydrates; 115 grams dietary fiber; 29 grams sugars; 20 grams protein; 948 milligrams sodium

    • Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.

10 to 12 servings

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 325. Place the ham on a rack in a large roasting pan. Score the ham diagonally left to right, then right to left, to create a diamond pattern across the meat. Stud each diamond with a whole clove.
  2. Add a cup or two of water to the bottom of the pan, then bake the ham, uncovered, 25 minutes to the pound if it is ready-to-cook, about half that if it is ready-to-eat.
  3. Combine the mustard and the brown sugar in a bowl, then add the sherry to make a thick paste. Spread the mixture over the ham approximately 20 minutes before it is ready to remove from the oven, then bake until crust has formed.

1 hour

Dining and Cooking