Pineapple Glazed Christmas Ham

The whole year wait is finally over for this very important dish to arrive on the table, as adult this is more exciting than the present under the tree. We burned our fingers as we tried to pick the crusty brown sugar bits before lunch time . Back home in the Philippines not every home would have an oven I remember my Lola ( grandma) told me that some would iron the brown sugar on top of the ham . Here's our family recipe

Pineapple Glazed Christmas Ham

Ingredients :

half a leg ham ( we prefer the top bit without the bone)

3 to 4 - 500ml box of unsweetened pineapple juice

2 cups of brown sugar plus 2 tablespoon plus a handful more for topping

2 sticks of cinnamon

6 pieces of cloves plus a few more for garnish

1 can of sliced pineapple

50 grams of butter

To Make :

1. Carefully peel off the rind from the ham leg leaving the layer of fat intact. ( don't worry it's Christmas rich calories are allowed )

2. Place in a big pot , add the sugar and pour in the pineapple juice , covering the ham add in the 2 cups of brown sugar , stir until the brown sugar is dissolved .

3. Simmer in low heat for 30 minutes then turn off the heat and leave the ham to soak for another 1 hour .

5. Place 50 grams of butter in the pan add the sugar and cooked in the pineapple slices till golden and sticky.

4. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees . Take the ham of the juice and into the baking rack tray , score the ham on a diagonal pattern like a quilt , pin the tips with the cloves. Sprinkle with brown sugar and top with the pineapple slices .

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and sugar has melted

( cooking time may vary . every oven is different keep watch)

Take it out of the oven to rest on the kitchen bench . ( warning sign is recommended make it in A4 piece of paper " Ham is hot do not touch") . Keep your first aid handy check if there's soothe burn spray , Keep close eye on the adults as kids with probably busy under the tree.

Enjoy with the whole family , do not throw the leftovers if there's any, perfect for sandwiches, fried rice , omelets etc.

Merry Christmas All!