Christmas Ham

Toasted Spiced Ham Drizzled in Honey

Ingredients

• 1 boneless country ham
• 2 cups honey, for glazing ham
• 2 tablespoons Toasted Spice Rub, recipe follows
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped fine
• 1 lb baby carrots
• 1 large sweet onion diced
• ½ cup chicken stock

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Place ham on a cookie sheet. With the tip of a paring knife carefully score a 1-inch grid pattern around the outside of the ham. Brush the entire surface of the meat on all sides with some of the honey.

Season the entire surface of the meat on all sides with the toasted spice rub and thyme. Add about a half cup of stock to the base of the roaster. Place ham on baby carrots and onion mixture in the roasting pan.

Cook for 1 hour. Every 15 minutes, baste ham with juices that collect in the base of the roaster and the honey. Let rest for 15 minutes before carving as desired.

Toasted Spice Rub:

• 1 tablespoon cloves
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon peppercorns
• 1 1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 4 tablespoons California chili powder
• 4 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Toast the cloves, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a small, heavy pan over medium heat. (Toasting freshens spices, releases their oils, and makes them more fragrant, as well as adding a new dimension of flavor.)  Working quickly, turn on the exhaust fan; add the red pepper flakes, and toss, toss, toss, always under the fan. Immediately turn the spice mixture out onto a plate to cool.

Using a small spice mill blender or a thoroughly cleaned coffee grinder; grind only the clove, coriander, pepper, and chili flakes. Pour into a bowl and toss with the remaining ingredients. Keep the spice mix in a glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.

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