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America's Test Kitchen just tipped us off to their perfect recipe for a flawless Easter ham, which is relatively hands-off compared to other recipes that call for tons of basting.
Recipes like this one are tested in the test kitchen by 36 cooks 30, 40, even 70 times, until they arrive at the exact right preparation. This recipe is from their publication, Cook's Country.
Cider-Baked Ham
Serves 16 to 20
1 cinnamon stick, broken into rough pieces
1/4 teaspoon whole cloves
13 cups apple cider
8 cups ice cubes
1 cured bone-in half ham (7 to 10 pounds), preferably shank ends*
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon pepper
*We prefer a bone-in, uncut, cured ham for this recipe... A spiral-sliced ham can be used instead, but there won't be much exterior fat, so skip the trimming and scoring in step 2.
Notes: This recipe requires nearly a gallon of cider and a large oven bag. In step 4, be sure to stir the reduced cider mixture frequently to prevent scorching.
1. Toast cinnamon and cloves in large saucepan over medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add 4 cups cider and bring to boil. Pour spiced cider into large stockpot or clean bucket, add 4 more cups cider and ice, and stir until melted.
2. Meanwhile, remove skin from exterior of ham and trim fat to 1/4-inch thickness. Score remaining fat at 1-inch intervals in crosshatch pattern. Transfer ham to container with chilled cider mixture (liquid should nearly cover ham) and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours.
3. Discard cider mixture and transfer ham to large oven bag. Add 1 cup fresh cider to bag, tie securely, and cut 4 slits in top of bag. Transfer to large roasting pan and let stand at room temperature for 1 1/2 hours.
4. Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 300 degrees F. Bake ham until internal temperature registers 100 degrees F, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. Meanwhile, bring remaining cider and mustard to boil in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often, until mixture is very thick and reduced to 1/3 cup, about 1 hour.
5. Combine sugar and pepper in bowl. Remove ham from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Roll back oven bag and brush ham with reduced cider mixture. Using hands, carefully press sugar mixture onto exterior of ham. Return to oven and bake until dark brown and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Transfer ham to cutting board, loosely tent with foil, and let rest 15 minutes. Carve and serve.
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