Looking for new and delicious ways to prepare a ham for the holidays? Try this innovative recipe by Rick and Lanie Bayless, Authors of Rick & Lanie’s Excellent Kitchen Adventures.

Chipotle-Glazed Ham with Cherry Jicama Salsa

Chipotle-Glazed Ham:

1 bone-in fully cooked spiral-cut ham, 8 to 9 pound
1 turkey-size cooking bag
1 (12-ounce) jar cherry preserves, high-quality
2 canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, plus 1 tablespoon of the adobo sauce

 

Cherry-Jicama Salsa:

1 1/2 cups red onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups jicama, peeled and diced
1 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

1. For Chipotle-Glazed Ham: Set oven to 250°F (120°C). Remove ham from packaging; if it has a plastic disk over the bone, pull it off and throw it away. Lay the ham, cut-side down in a turkey-size cooking bag. Gather the bag up over the ham, pressing out all the air. Fasten with the enclosed tie. Trim excess plastic from above the tie. Using a small knife, make 6 half-inch slits around the top of the bag to allow steam to escape.
2. Place the ham in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Bake for 80 to 90 minutes (roughly 10 minutes per pound), until the temperature near the bone reads 100°F (50°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
3. In a food processor or blender, combine the cherry preserves, chipotle chile and its canning sauce. Process until smooth. Scoop out and set aside 1/2 cup of the glaze for seasoning the salsa.
4. When the ham reaches 100°F (50°C), remove from oven, slit the bag and pull it out from under the ham, letting all the juices run into the pan. Tip the pan slightly and spoon off all but about 1/4 cup of the juices. Brush the glaze (except what you've reserved) over the top and sides of the ham.
5. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes, until the temperature near the bone reads 140°F (60°C) on an instant-read thermometer. If there is time, tent the foil and let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
6. For Cherry-Jicama Salsa: In a large bowl, stir together the onion, jícama, cherries, vinegar and the 1/2 cup of reserved glaze. Taste and season with salt, usually about 1 1/2 teaspoons. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
7. When the ham is ready, stir the cilantro into the salsa and serve along with slices of ham.

Makes 10 to 14 (3-ounce) servings of ham; 3 1/2 cups salsa .

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Pork: Be Inspired.