This maple syrup and mustard glazed ham is the perfect recipe to make for a buffet meal. The ham is tender, full of flavour and so much better than pre-cooked sliced ham.
Quite often when we visit my mum there's a huge joint of ham in the fridge. It lasts for days and we just slice a bit off for sandwiches at lunchtime or to make meals with in the evening.
If you visit my house you are unlikely to find any ham at all and if you do, it'll probably be a supermarket pack with about 5 identical slices in. The ham itself will be almost unrecognizable from the lovely ham we enjoy at my mum's.
Well, except when I make this maple syrup and mustard ham. The ham is really moist and full of flavour, delicious warm as well as cold. The glaze is lovely and sweet and it's definitely worth saving any sticky pan juices to drizzle over your plates too!
Why it's worth cooking your own ham
So, you've gathered that I don't cook ham very often BUT it really is worth it for certain occasions. Supermarket ham is often reconstituted and made to go further by being filled with extra water. That might be ok for a lunchbox sandwich but not for a celebratory meal! Be it Boxing Day, New Year's day or just Sunday lunch.
A good joint of home cooked gammon or ham is perfect for a special Sunday lunch and the leftovers do make great sandwiches! I love to cook this ham around Christmas time as it's great to have in the fridge for easy light meals and sandwiches.
What's more, it's economical and easy to cook. There's really no reason not to!
Do you need to glaze ham?
Even without a glaze a home cooked piece of ham tastes amazing. The ham at my mum's is simple without a glaze but it still tastes great. So, no, you don't need a glaze but if you are making the effort to cook some ham then why not go the whole hog?
Is it easy to cook a joint of ham?
Ham is really simple to cook. I like to boil and then bake the ham as it makes the ham really tender. Boiling also removes any impurities and makes it a little less salty. However, you often don't need to boil ham these days. You can just bake it. Alternatively you can just boil it although not it you are planning to glaze it too!
When you are boiling the ham add a few peppercorns, cloves or other hard spices such as star anise to help flavour the ham. This ham recipe uses cloves and peppercorns.
How long to boil the ham for?
After you have brought the ham to the boil, simmer it for 20 minutes per 450g.
How do you make the maple syrup and mustard glaze for the ham?
This is one of the easiest ham glazes. It's not much more effort to make a glaze for the ham than to cook it without. You just mix all the ingredients for the mustard and maple syrup glaze together and then pour them over the ham. It really couldn't be simpler.
How can you adapt this glazed ham recipe?
This maple and mustard ham is adapted from a Gordon Ramsey recipe. The use of maple syrup and mustard really caught my eye! I adapted it a little though.
The first time I made this recipe I used one teaspoon of mustard which wasn't quite enough. There was just a hint of it in the taste. Now, I like to use a whole tablespoon of mustard. Depending on your tastes and how strong you like your mustard then do feel free to vary it.
If you don't have any maple syrup then you can substitute it for honey. Honey and mustard together are also a classic ham glaze.
How long can you keep this glazed ham?
Once the ham has been cooked then it keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. This means it's great for cooking around Christmas time as you can cook it in advance then serve it as part of a cold buffet meal.
This maple and mustard glazed ham is a great buffet recipe
Here are some more great buffet recipes!
Recipe
Maple and Mustard Glazed Ham
Ingredients
- 700 g joint of ham
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 3 cloves
- 100 ml maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcester sauce
- 1 tablespoon English mustard
Instructions
- Put the ham in a large saucepan, peppercorns and cloves in a large saucepan. Cover with cold water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 40 minutes*. Skim off any scum that gathers on the surface of the water.
- Mix together the rest of the ingredients to make the glaze.
- If the ham has skin on then take it off.
- Put the ham in an ovenproof dish lined with kitchen foil. Coat the ham with about ⅔ of the glaze. Put the ham in the oven at 190C for 20 minutes. Take it out and coat with the rest of the glaze. Return it to the oven for another 20 minutes.
- Let the ham rest for 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin for later
A joint of ham is perfect if you like to cook for more than one meal at a time. If that's you then do check out my Cook Once Eat Twice Recipe collection too!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
First, I am a Gordon Ramsay fan too. Next, I have printed this recipe to use at Christmas....since we will be having ham and turkey. I will do doing the ham in the slow cooker....and will see how this works. Sounds yummy....can't wait.
Corina
I hope it goes well! It's a great recipe for Christmas.
Julia
Mmm, love the glaze! Delicious!
Corina
Thanks Julia! The glaze makes a big difference - so tasty.
Liz
This looks like a great holiday recipe. My family always has ham over Christmas!
Corina
I think ham is a popular choice, isn't it? It's great to have around Christmas or when there are lots of people visiting.
Shashi at Savory Spin
What a glorious glaze! Loving the combo of sweet and savory!
Corina
Thanks Shashi!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
We normally have a joint of ham in the fridge too like your mum as the whole family loves grabbing a slice or two. I'll definitely have to try this maple and mustard glaze, sounds delicious!
Corina
It's such a good thing to do when there are lots of people in the same house - It makes life much easier! I hope you like it.
Fiver Feeds
I haven't ate ham in a while but this seems so delicious I'll maybe have one tomorrow!
Corina
If you did, I hope you enjoyed it!
Coombe Mill
I love the sweet and sour, it works so well on ham. I must give maple a go, a lovely change from honey
Corina
Exactly but I should try honey next time maybe as this was my first go!
bigmaxy
This sounds lovely especially coming up to christmas
Corina
Thank you.
HonestMum (@HonestMummy)
Gorgeous and ideal for Christmas! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
Dana Fashina
Very cool Corina!!
I've never cooked a ham myself but now I'm thinking maybe it aint so bad 😀
Corina
It's pretty easy really!
Bunny Eats Design
Mmmmm...I love ham. Especially a glazed ham. The combination of savory and sweet...oh boy, I'm drooling just thinking about it.
Whenever there is a ham in the house, I keep a small knife beside it in case I have to taste test it again 😀
It's a shame that ham is usually saved for special occasions. A whole ham on the bone really cost effective and a great way to feed a bunch of people. I used to get a ham for birthdays because I love ham but also the other reasons.
Corina
It is definitely cost effective - I don't know why I haven't bought one before now really. This one wasn't for a special occasion but i probably will start to get one for special occasions too now.
Vanesther
Home-baked hams are so much tastier than anything you get in the supermarket and yours looks and sounds wonderful. Love the idea of Worcester sauce in the glaze, along with the peppercorns of course! A great entry for this month's #TheSpiceTrail pepper challenge. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Corina
I'm glad you liked it - I'm going to be trying some more variations soon!
yummyinsidemytummy
This just made my day
Corina
That's what I like to hear!