Ham Cooking Options

Preparing Your Ham

As you unwrap your ham from the bag and brown paper, you will probably notice mold on the ham, but do not be alarmed. This is natural in the aging process as the sugar feeds the mold spores. Just scrub your ham under warm running water, dry it off, and it will look like new.

Before cooking, you may want to soak your country ham in water. For whole ham cooking, cut 2-3 inches off the hock or shank and just below the aitch or hip bone. Take the rest of the ham and put it in a large pot of cool water. Soak the ham in cool water for 12-24 hours and change out the water 2 or 3 times. You are then ready to finish cooking your ham.

Frying Country Ham

Place the ham slices in a frying pan set on medium heat. Lightly brown both sides. This should only take about 30-45 seconds per side. Be sure not to overcook the ham as this will cause the ham to be tough. Pan boiling is similar to the above, and some say it helps reduce the salty taste.

Place the ham in a frying pan and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil and then pour off the water. Turn the ham over and repeat the process. After pouring off the water the second time, lightly brown both sides and serve.

Boiling a Country Ham

After you have finished soaking and poured off the last water, leave the ham in the pot and cover it with apple juice.
Add 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 pint of pineapple juice, approximately 12 whole cloves.
Cover the pot and bring to a boil.
Cut the heat back to allow the ham to simmer.
Cook approximately 15 minutes per pound (@ 3 hours) to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

Here is a breakdown of boiling times for 5 different sizes.

13 lb. - Boil for 3 hours and 15 minutes
14 lb. - Boil for 3 hours and 30 minutes
15 lb. - Boil for 3 hours and 45 minutes
16 lb. - Boil for 4 hours
17 lb. - Boil for 4 hours and 15 minutes

After it has finished boiling, remove the ham from the liquid, and remove the skin and fat.

Cover the smooth side of the ham with crushed pineapple, brown sugar, more cloves, and some cherries for a bright color.

Put the ham in a 350-degree oven for 25-30 minutes or place under the broiler for about 15 minutes to give it a nice brown finish.

Baking a Country Ham

Wrap ham completely in heavy aluminum foil, in a manner to retain juices, and pour approximately one and a half cups water in aluminum foil.

You can add pineapple juice, orange juice, Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper, 7-Up, or bourbon for extra flavor. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes per pound to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

Here is a breakdown of baking times for 5 different sizes.

13 lb ham - Bake 4 hours 20 minutes
14 lb ham - Bake 4 hours 40 minutes
15 lb ham - Bake 5 hours
16 lb ham - Bake 5 hours 20 minutes
17 lb ham - Bake 5 hours 40 minutes

After it has finished baking, remove ham from liquid, and remove the skin and fat. You may slice and serve as is, or you may want to make a glaze of your choice.

Glaze Recipes

Honey-Mustard Glaze

Combine 2 tablespoons of prepared mustard, 1 cup brown sugar, and one half cup honey. Spread mixture overcooked ham. Garnish with pineapple rings. In the center of each ring, secure maraschino cherries with toothpicks. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes.

Brown Sugar Glaze I

Rub cooked ham with 1 cup brown sugar. Sprinkle over the top one half cup bread crumbs. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes.

Brown Sugar Glaze II

Combine 4 tablespoons of prepared mustard and 1 cup brown sugar. Spread evenly over ham. Bake in an oven about 10 to 15 minutes at 375 degrees.

Sweet Cider Glaze

Combine 1 cup brown sugar and one half cup apple cider. Baste cooked ham with this glaze brown in a 375-degree oven for about 30 minutes.