Dragon's Flame Roasted Ham with Spiced Apple Glaze
A show-stopping holiday roast, perfect for a feast. This ham is slow-roasted to tender perfection, then brushed with a vibrant, subtly spiced apple glaze that caramelizes beautifully, adding layers of sweet and tangy flavor. It’s a dish impressive enough for any special occasion.
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Place the ham, cut-side down, in a large roasting pan.
- 2
Pour 1 cup of apple cider into the bottom of the roasting pan. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.
- 3
Roast the ham for 10-12 minutes per pound, or until an internal temperature of 135°F (57°C) is reached. For an 8-pound ham, this would be approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 36 minutes.
- 4
About 30 minutes before the end of the roasting time, prepare the glaze. In a saucepan, combine the remaining 1 cup apple cider, apple jelly, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- 5
Bring the glaze to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the jelly and sugar are dissolved and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
- 6
Remove the ham from the oven, uncover, and increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
- 7
Brush the ham generously with the prepared glaze, ensuring it seeps into the spirals. Return the ham to the oven, uncovered, and continue to roast for another 20-30 minutes, brushing with more glaze every 10 minutes, until the glaze is beautifully caramelized and the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
- 8
Remove the ham from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and flavorful ham.
- 9
Carve the ham thinly against the grain and serve with any remaining glaze. It pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.