Crack Ham Recipes

THE BEST CROCKPOT HAM | SLOW COOKER HAM

Steps:

• Remove ham from the packaging and discard any flavoring packet. If using a bone-in ham, check the end of the bone for a plastic cap and, if present, discard.
• Pour the pineapple juice in bottom of a large (6- to 9-quart), oval slow cooker.
• In a medium bowl, mix the brown sugar, Dijon, balsamic vinegar, and honey into a paste. Spread brown sugar mixture all over ham and place, flat side down, in slow cooker.
• Cover slow cooker with lid and set to LOW. Cook ham for 4 to 6 hours or until the meat is tender and the internal temperature reaches 140°F. If desired, flip and baste the ham halfway through cooking time and again about an hour before the ham is done.
• Once ham is done, remove to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm and rest for 15 minutes. Skim any fat and strain the juices from the crock pot into a saucepan. Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and bring the juices to a simmer.
• In a small bowl, use a fork to stir the cornstarch into the water to make a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the pot while whisking the ham juices. Allow the mixture to bubble and thicken for a minute or two, stirring occasionally. If you desire a thicker sauce, you may make and stir in a bit more cornstarch slurry.
• Serve the ham warm, with the sauce on the side or spooned on top.

HAM CASSEROLE WITH BROCCOLI AND RICE

Steps:

• Note: This recipe is designed to allow you to prepare all of the casserole ingredients in one pot before transferring to a casserole dish for baking. Before you begin, refer to your rice package for the amount of liquid (we'll use chicken broth) and cooking time. If preferred, cook the rice separately and skip the broth ingredient. You'll need 3 + 3/4 cups of cooked rice to combine with the other casserole ingredients. I use white long grain rice and the cooking times below work perfectly.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Melt the 2 Tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the diced onions and cook for 5 minutes, until softened.
• Add the chicken broth, olive oil, and rice to the pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
• Cover tightly and cook for 7 minutes.
• Add the broccoli, replace the cover, cook for 8 more minutes. Refrain from stirring.
• Turn off heat, leave the cover on. Let the rice stand for 10 minutes. Any rice on the bottom of the pot will release during this time.
• Add the diced ham, condensed soup, sour cream, milk, and ONE cup of the cheddar cheese. Stir until well-combined.
• Spread into a lightly greased 9 x 13 casserole dish.
• Top with remaining cup of cheddar cheese.
• Cover and bake for 15 minutes.
• Combine the Ritz cracker crumbs and butter. Spread over the top of the casserole and bake, uncovered, for 10 additional minutes.
• Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes prior to serving.

CRACK HAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°. Rinse the ham and slice off the tough outer skin, taking care not to remove too much of the fat along with it. Score the ham, cutting long crisscrossing lines at least ¼ inch deep and 1 inch apart all over. Place the ham in a heavy nonreactive (glass or stainless steel) roasting pan or baking dish and slowly pour ½ cup bourbon over the meat, letting it sink in as much as possible. Place the ham, uncovered, in the oven.
• In a saucepan, boil the orange juice until reduced by half. Remove from the heat and stir in the brown sugar, mustard, molasses and the remaining 1½ cups of bourbon.
• After the ham has baked for about 45 minutes, remove it from the oven and cover with the glaze, making sure you get into all the crevices that have now opened up; pour the remaining glaze into the pan. Return the ham to the oven and bake for at least 1½ hours longer, brushing it with glaze very 30 minutes or so (if the top of the ham begins to burn, cover it with aluminum foil). When the glaze is well-browned, remove the ham from the oven, place it on a serving platter and cover loosely with foil.
• Taste the juices from the roasting pan and season with salt if needed. Pour some of the sauce over the ham and place the rest in a serving bowl. Serve immediately, carving the ham at the table.