A leg of ham often takes centre-stage on the Christmas table, and here’s one that qualifies as a masterpiece, as delicious as it is impressive.
Ingredients
- 100g (1/2 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
- 80ml (1/3 cup) maple syrup
- 1 tsp Chinese five spice
- 5 x 440g cans pineapple slices in juice, drained, juice reserved
- 7-8kg whole leg ham, on the bone
- 150g glace cherries
- 500ml (2 cups) water
Equipment
- You will need 30 toothpicks for this recipe
Method
- Step 1Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan forced. Place an oven shelf in the lowest position of the oven and remove the other shelves. Line a large roasting pan with non-stick baking paper.
- Step 2Place the brown sugar, maple syrup, Chinese five spice and 125ml (1/2 cup) of reserved pineapple juice in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until sugar dissolves. Bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes until reduced slightly.
- Step 3Use a small sharp knife to cut around the shank of ham in a zig-zag pattern, about 10cm from end. Carefully run knife under rind around the edge of the ham. Carefully lift off the rind in one piece by running your fingers between the rind and the fat.
- Step 4Place a pineapple ring on ham. Place a glace cherry in the centre of pineapple. Use a toothpick to secure the cherry. Continue to place pineapple rings and cherries over ham, slightly overlapping to cover. You may need to secure some of the rings on the side of the ham with a toothpick.
- Step 5Pour water into prepared pan. Place the ham on a wire rack in the pan. Wrap exposed shank in foil. Brush a third of the glaze over pineapple. Bake for 40 minutes. Turn pan 180 degrees. Pour over half remaining glaze. Bake for 40 minutes until golden. Brush with remaining glaze. Set aside for 15 minutes to rest. Remove toothpicks before carving.
- High protein
- Low carb
- Low sodium
- Lower gi
Nutrition
3464 kj
Energy
31.5g
Fat Total
11g
Saturated Fat
1.4g
Fibre
98.1g
Protein
313mg
Cholesterol
217mg
Sodium
29.6g
Carbs (sugar)
31.6g
Carbs (total)
All nutrition values are per serve
- Author: Michelle Southan
- Image credit: Jeremy Simons
- Publication: Taste Magazine
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