Cider-Glazed Ham with Fuji Apples

I was flipping through yet another cookbook, and I came across this recipe. I love ham! When was the last time you just cooked a ham? We usually only have ham for as special large Sunday dinner, or holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving. Well when you come across recipes like this, it’s time to invite family and friends over have a ham that Sunday, or simply cook if for your family, maybe get a smaller ham. You should see the picture, mmm, mmm, mmm. Enjoy, and as usual if you try it before me, let me know how it comes out.

Yields 8-10 servings

1 10lb ham
3 c Nonalcoholic Sparkling cider, divided
1 tbs Dijon mustard
1c Brown sugar (packed)
20 cloves

Apples

8-10 (about 4 lbs) small Fuji apples
½ c golden raisins
½ c packed brown sugar

Sauce

¼ c Brandy
3 tbs golden raisins
½ tsp grated nutmeg
½ tsp ground cloves

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Place ham in a roasting pan; pour half of the cider over it. Bake for 3-3 ½ hours, or until internal temperature is 170ºF. Pour additional cider over ham every 30 minutes.
3. Remove ham from the oven and let cool slightly, carve off visible fat.
4. Combine mustard and brown sugar; spread over ham. Push cloves into meat evenly, return ham to the pan.
5. Prepare apples, score in a horizontal circle with a knife to prevent bursting. Remove core from apples, cut off end of each core and replace in the bottom of the apples. Combine raisins and sugar; stuff into apples. Arrange apples around the ham.
6. Increase oven temperature to 400ºF. Bake until ham’s surface is glazed, about 30 minutes, basting with pan juices every 10 minutes, adding more cider if necessary. Transfer to a board and carve.
7. To prepare the sauce, pour drippings into a saucepan, skim off grease. Add Brandy and whisk while bringing to a boil. If sauce is too thick, add cider. Add Raisins and simmer for 2 minutes. Whisk in nutmeg and cloves. Transfer to a sauceboat for serving.

Sincerely,
Saundra D. Jones, CC
Chef/Owner
Divine Cuisine Event Planning & Catering
www.divinecuisineepc.com
info@divinecuisineepc.com
301-326-7555
"All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me"!