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Maple-glazed ham
Jambon à l'érable: sugar-shack smoked pork ham basted with maple syrup
At the cabanes à sucre of Quebec in March and April, a smoked pork ham baked in maple syrup is the centrepiece of the long tables, carved alongside pea soup, beans and omelette. At home it is an Easter favourite in the Eastern Townships. The ham is simmered, then glazed and baked, basted again and again until it shines. Check the label: most smoked hams are already cooked and only need heating, while uncooked ones need full cooking. A common mistake is glazing too early, which burns the sugar before the ham is hot. Chef's tip: a splash of cider vinegar in the glaze balances the sweetness.
- Total time
- 150 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 10
Ingredients
- 6 ⅝ lb smoked bone-in pork ham
- 1 onionhalved
- 20 whole cloves
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp cider vinegar
- ½ tsp black pepper
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Put 6 ⅝ lb smoked bone-in pork ham, 1 onion and 2 bay leaves in a large pot, cover with cold water and bring slowly to a simmer. Simmer gently for 1¼ hours (about 25 minutes per kg). Lift out and cool for 15 minutes.
75 minStep 2: Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F fan). Cut away the rind, leaving a thin layer of fat, then score the fat in a diamond pattern and stud with 20 whole cloves.
10 minStep 3: Whisk 1 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp cider vinegar and ½ tsp black pepper together.
3 minStep 4: Set the ham in a roasting tin, pour over a third of the glaze and bake for 45 minutes, basting with more glaze and the pan juices every 15 minutes, until deep amber and sticky. The centre must reach at least 145°F on a thermometer (or 160°F if your ham was labelled uncooked).
45 minStep 5: Rest for 15 minutes before carving. Spoon the pan syrup over the slices.
15 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 34 g
- Carbs
- 18 g
- Fat
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does maple-glazed ham take?
- About 150 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 135 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 10 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of whole cloves?
- Ground cloves, ¼ tsp for every 3 whole cloves.
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