You’ve probably wondered how to cook a ham. There are a number of techniques, but they all have one common goal: achieving an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. The ham should be rested for at least 15 minutes after cooking before you try to cut into it. To cut a ham correctly, you’ll need a long, thin knife, sharpened with a sharpening stone or rod.
To start cooking a ham, place it in a large pot or Dutch oven. Fill it with boiling water, stock, or wine. Add seasoning and a few cloves if desired, but do not score the meat. After the ham is in the pot, add the glaze and serve. Make sure you use aluminum foil to cover the ham, which will make cleanup much easier. If you have leftover ham, save the bone for soups and bean dishes.
Another tip for cooking a ham is to keep an eye on the temperature. Hams typically take four to six hours to cook. The cooking time depends on the weight of the ham, but in general, a pound weighs seven pounds. That means a seven-pound ham should take about two hours and 20 minutes. If it’s smaller, however, it will only take 80 minutes to heat through. So keep your oven temperature as low as possible while cooking your ham.
The ham can be prepared in a number of ways. When you choose to buy a bone-in ham, you can cut it into thin slices. Alternatively, you can cut it along the bone, using a sharp carving knife. For this method, you’ll want to score the ham in a diamond pattern, which allows the glaze to penetrate the meat. Ultimately, it will give your centerpiece a “wow” factor when it’s served on a platter.
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