Maple Glazed Ham

Ingredients

• 5 kg leg ham
• 30 cloves (for studding the ham, optional - mainly for decorative purposes)
• 2 oranges , cut into quarters
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup Maple Syrup
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 tbsps Dijon Mustard
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp allspice or nutmeg

Steps

1. Take ham out of fridge 1 hour prior.
2. Preheat oven to 160°C / 320°F (140°C fan). Arrange shelf in lower third so the ham will be sitting in the centre of the oven (rather than in top half of oven).
3. Place the Glaze ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined - use whisk if needed.
4. REMOVE HAM RIND (SKIN) Run small knife around bone handle, down each side of the ham, and under the rind on the cut face.
5. Slide fingers under the rind on the cut face of the ham, and run them back and forth to loosen while pulling the rind back. Use knife if needed to slice off any residual rind.
6. Lightly cut 2.5cm / 1" diamonds across the fat surface of the ham, about 75% of the way into the fat. Avoid cutting into the meat.
7. Insert a clove in the intersection of the cross of each diamond on the surface (optional).
8. GLAZE AND BAKING Place the ham in a large baking dish. Prop handle up on edge of pan + scrunched up foil so surface of the ham is level (more even browning).
9. Squeeze the juice of 1 orange (4 quarters) over the ham. Then place them along with the remaining orange into the baking dish around the ham.
10. Brush / spoon half the glaze all over the surface and cut face of the ham (don't worry about underside, glaze drips down into pan)
11. Pour the water in the baking dish, then place in the oven.
12. Bake for 1.5 - 2 hrs, basting very generously every 30 minutes with remaining glaze + juices in pan, or until sticky and golden.
13. Use foil patches to protect bits that brown faster than others - press on lightly, caramelisation won't peel off with the foil.
14. Allow to rest for at least 20 minutes before serving. Baste, baste, baste before serving - as the glaze in the pan cools, it thickens which means it "paints" the ham even better - but be sure to save pan juices for drizzling.
15. SERVING AND PRESENTATION TIPS Sauce: Use pan juices as the sauce - it's loaded with flavour. Drizzle sparingly as the glaze flavour is intense! Note juices need to be warm for drizzling, it thickens when cooled. Thin slightly with water if required.
16. Presentation: Wrap handle with baking paper and ribbon if desired. Remove cloves. Cover serving platter with lots of green fluffage, then place ham on. Surround with more quartered oranges, for colour. Let people admire before carving!
17. Serving: Personal preference whether to serve at room temp or warm, I like either. I also like to drizzle with pan juices - it looks messier but tastes fabulous. Slice thinly! I start slicing at the table, then finish it in the kitchen (towards end when it gets messy!)