A ham is cut from the hind leg of a pig above the hock joint. Hams are sold already cured and/or smoked and these days most come fully cooked, and just need to be heated.
A bone-in ham is ideal for roasting; boneless hams, which come in all sizes, are less flavourful and have an inferior texture because they have been boned-out and reshaped. These boneless hams are best sliced for sandwich meat. Although fresh hams (raw and neither cured nor smoked) are less common, they also make magnificent roasts for big gatherings.
Even though most hams are sold fully cooked, they still need to kept under full refrigeration and then cooked to an internal temperature of 140 F. An instant-read thermometer (digital is best) makes quick work of determining when the ham is fully heated through, and it’s one of the most valuable kitchen gadgets you can buy (and not too expensive).
Roasting provides the opportunity to add layers of flavour, and ham matches well with all kinds of different ingredients, from sweet sauces based on brown sugar or fruit to spicy tastes like mustard, garlic and curry.
Choose a ham with the bone in for best flavour. A 12- to 15-lb bone-in ham feeds about 8 people. For a simple roast, place the ham in a shallow roasting pan and cover with foil; bake at 325 F for about 10 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 140 F. Next remove the foil, increase the oven heat to 425 F. Cut a crisscross pattern into the fat and brush the ham with any flavourful glaze -- Dijon mustard and brown sugar is simple and delicious. Roast 20 minutes or until golden, then remove from oven and let the ham rest at least 20 minutes before carving. Carve thinly. Ham is equally delicious served hot, warm or chilled.
Almost all vegetables pair well with ham, but scalloped potatoes, mashed turnips and Brussels sprouts make particularly good accompaniments. Leftover ham should be refrigerated, and has endless tasty uses, from sandwiches to soufflés.
Try it today:
Grainy Mustard-Glazed Ham
Smoked Ham with Molasses and Rum Glaze
Vanilla Scotch Baked Ham