Clove and Pineapple Studded Baked Ham

Kathy will be baking her ham in a crockpot this year and asks for some affirmation of her wonderful plans for a pineapple studded baked ham. Try scoring the top of the ham with a sharp knife in a diamond pattern, and attaching the pineapple rings with whole cloves, a traditional technique and always a hit.

Baking fully cooked, semi-boneless, (unsliced) 6.6 pound ham in the crockpot
Your semi-boneless ham will take about 7 1/2 hours of bake time and a total of 8 1/2 hours from crockpot to table. Unfortunately, this is difficult for us to gauge since crockpot temperatures vary so much. You’ll know it’s ready when the internal temperature reads 125-130 degrees when measured with a meat thermometer. Then, you have some options.

To achieve a very shiny, carmelized ham, transfer the ham onto a roasting pan, on a rack and finish baking in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Or, if you oven is not available, apply an additional glaze and turn your crockpot on high for the final 35-45 minutes to achieve a similar effect.

Crockpot Ham with Pineapple and a Mustard Glaze
1 cup of water and optional: sage or bay leaves
1 1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tsp dry mustard or 2 Tbsp of dijon mustard
2 Tbsp cider or white vinegar or lemon juice
2 Tbsp orange juice
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 can pineapple rings
whole cloves
toothpicks

Score the top of the ham with a sharp knife in a diamond pattern. Attach the pineapple rings with whole cloves or place cloves in cente of diamond and attached pineapple rings with toothpicks (not too far in!). If your slow cooker has a roasting rack, use it. If not, line crock pot with aluminum foil. Place ham on rack. Combine brown sugar, mustard and lemon juice; spoon over ham. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes. Turn slow cooker to low and bake for 6 1/2 more hours. Test with meat thermometer after 5 1/2 hours. Once ham reaches 125-130 degrees, remove.

Remove ham (use gloves or potholders) to a platter. Combine orange juice and cornstarch to form smooth paste. Taste your ham drippings – if very very salty, discard. If pan drippings taste delicious to you – pour into roasting pan (conventional oven) or keep in the crockpot. If using, stir orange mixture into drippings, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Place ham onto roasting rack (or in crockpot or on roasting pan….) Spoon glaze over ham.

Place ham into preheated 350 degree oven. Or, turn crockpot onto high. Bake for an additional 35-45 minutes or until shiny and brown. Present and slice at table while studded (fun!) but be sure it rests for 15 minutes before slicing.

Consider making a batch of Dauphinoise Potatoes, Chipotle Mashed Potatoes, Butternut Squash Risotto.

And don’t forget dessert, perhaps Pear Walnut Cake With Broiled Maple Glaze or Dents de Loup (Wolf’s Teeth Cookies)

Happy Holidays! Have fun cooking!

~ Chef Adam

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