How to prepare a ham video - How to cook

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Preparing a ham

How to cook and glaze a ham - a great celebration dish.

Weigh ham to calculate cooking time (see below).
Soak the ham in cold water, according to butcher's instructions (you may not need to do this with some hams).
Place the ham in a large pan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil. Cook for 30 mins per 450g/1lb, periodically skimming and discarding any white froth that comes to the surface.
Drain, reserving the stock is desired, leave to cool a little, then remove the top layer of skin, leaving a thin layer of fat around the meat.
Score the fat, then brush with a glaze of your choice. Place in a foil-lined roasting tin and bake at 220C/fan 200C for 20-30 mins (based on a 5kg ham) or until the glaze is golden.

Make sure you have a pan big enough to fit the ham. The water should cover the meat.
Make sure the ham is fully cooked after boiling - the baking stage is only to caramelise the skin.

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