Christmas Ham
Christmas ham is a favorite in many households during the festive season. Rich, sticky glaze is slathered all over this juicy, tender ham. With caramelized brown sugar on the crust and an incredible flavor inside.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Curing Time7 days d
Total Time7 days d 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Filipino, International
Keyword: christmas ham, ham recipe
Servings: 1 Christmas Ham
Calories:
Author: Bebs Lott
- 2 ½ kg Pork Ham Pigue
- for curing
- 1 cup salt
- 3 tbsp curing salt
- 1 ½ cup granulated sugar
For boiling the ham
- 1 ½ liters pure pineapple juice
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 pcs star anise
- 1 bay leaf
Glazing
- 2 cups liquid from cooking the ham
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp honey
Curing the meat
Wash pork meat thoroughly in running water. Drain excess water and set aside.
In a container, combine salt, sugar and curing powder.
Place the meat in the container and rub the salt mixture until meat is fully coated.
Cover the container with a lid and place inside the fridge to cure for 7 days. Note: Turn the meat every day to even the curing.
After 7 days curing. Wash the meat in cold running water to remove the curing mixture.
Place the meat on a clean flat surface and tie with kitchen twine to make it round. When tying try to make it really tight without damaging the meat. First cut a piece of twine long enough to cover the meat. Tie it in the middle securely then take another twine and tie it crosswise. When this is done repeat the process of tying from the center to the edge of the meat.
In a large pot. place the meat and pour the pineapple juice and tip in the star anise, bay leaf, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil for 1 ½ hour or until soft and tender. Save the liquid for making the glaze later
Place the ham in a cooling rack and let it cool and dry.
Score the top of the ham diagonally with a sharp knife. Rub brown sugar on the top and side of the ham and caramelize the sugar using a kitchen torch.
Making the pineapple glaze
Using a saucepan. Pour 2 cups of the liquid you saved from boiling the ham. Add cornstarch and dissolve in low heat. Stir and let it cook until it thickens but still pourable. Add the Honey and continue stirring for 2 minutes. Set aside
Place the ham in a serving dish and pour the glazing on top. Serve and enjoy! Bon Appetit!