Difficulty: Easy
Heat level: 2/5
Ingredients:
- 1 bone-in or boneless ham (2-4 lbs/1-2 kg)
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup Le Pêché hot sauce
Instructions:
Prepare the Maple-Hot Glaze:
- In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, lemon juice, and hot sauce.
- Whisk thoroughly to blend the ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring frequently.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring continuously, until the glaze thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat and allow the glaze to cool completely. For faster cooling, refrigerate for approximately 45 minutes.
Prepare the Ham:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Using a sharp knife, score the ham's skin in a shallow diamond (crisscross) pattern. This allows the glaze to penetrate and creates a beautiful presentation.
- Brush half of the cooled maple glaze evenly over the scored ham.
Bake the Ham:
- Place the ham in a roasting pan, skin side up.
- Cover the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the ham is heated through.
Glaze and Finish:
- Remove the aluminum foil from the roasting pan.
- Brush the remaining maple glaze generously over the ham, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Return the ham to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized and the ham is beautifully browned.
Rest and Serve:
- Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful ham.
- Slice the ham and serve with your favorite side dishes.
