Spicy Pineapple-Glazed Ham
Elevate your mealtime with this delicious Spicy Pineapple-Glazed Ham. This recipe combines the sweetness of crushed pineapple with the smoky heat of chipotle peppers, creating a mouthwatering glaze that perfectly complements a juicy smoked ham. Ideal for holiday feasts or family gatherings, this dish is bound to impress your guests and tantalize their taste buds. Serve it hot and watch as everyone goes back for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
smoked ham
5-7 lbs (whole or half)
brown sugar
1 cup (packed)
crushed pineapple
10 ounces (canned, undrained)
chipotle chile
1-2 (in adobo, seeded and diced)
adobo sauce
1 tablespoon (from canned chipotle)
nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (freshly grated)
ginger
1/4 teaspoon (freshly grated)
cornstarch
2 tablespoons (mixed with water)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the glaze: in a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of cold water, stirring until fully dissolved.
2
In a blender, combine the packed brown sugar, crushed pineapple (with its juice), diced chipotle chiles, adobo sauce, grated nutmeg, grated ginger, and salt. Blend until smooth.
3
Pour the blended mixture into a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the cornstarch mixture gradually, allowing the glaze to thicken further.
4
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
5
Place the smoked ham in a large baking pan with the cut end facing down. Using a sharp knife, score the skin in a diamond pattern to allow the glaze to penetrate the meat.
6
Bake the ham for 15 minutes to start getting it heated through.
7
After 15 minutes, carefully brush a generous amount of the pineapple chipotle glaze over the surface of the ham. Return to the oven and continue baking for an additional hour, basting with the glaze every 20 minutes.
8
The ham is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). Once it's cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Pineapple-Glazed Ham?
It is a dish that combines a 5-7 lb smoked ham with a sweet and smoky glaze made from crushed pineapple, brown sugar, and chipotle peppers.
What size ham should I use for this recipe?
The recipe calls for a smoked ham weighing between 5 and 7 pounds, either whole or half.
How do I prepare the glaze for the ham?
Blend brown sugar, crushed pineapple, chipotle chiles, adobo sauce, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until smooth, then simmer in a saucepan and thicken with a cornstarch slurry.
Should I drain the pineapple before adding it to the glaze?
No, you should use the canned crushed pineapple along with its juice to ensure the glaze has the correct consistency and flavor.
What is the role of cornstarch in this recipe?
Cornstarch is mixed with cold water and added to the simmering glaze to help it thicken so it sticks better to the ham.
How many chipotle peppers are needed?
You can use 1 to 2 chipotle chiles in adobo, depending on your preferred level of heat.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) before baking the ham.
How do I prepare the surface of the ham before baking?
Place the ham cut-side down in a baking pan and use a sharp knife to score the skin in a diamond pattern.
Why is it important to score the ham?
Scoring the ham in a diamond pattern allows the pineapple-chipotle glaze to penetrate the meat more effectively.
How long does the ham bake before adding the glaze?
The ham should bake for an initial 15 minutes to start heating it through before the first layer of glaze is applied.
How often should I baste the ham with the pineapple glaze?
Once the ham is glazed, continue baking for one hour, basting the surface with more glaze every 20 minutes.
What is the target internal temperature for the ham?
The ham is perfectly cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius).
How long should the ham rest after it is removed from the oven?
Let the ham rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing to ensure the juices redistribute and the meat stays tender.
What type of ginger is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using 1/4 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger for a vibrant and aromatic flavor.
Can I use ground nutmeg instead of fresh?
While ground nutmeg works, the recipe specifically calls for 1/4 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg for the best results.
What is adobo sauce and where do I find it?
Adobo sauce is the liquid found in cans of chipotle peppers; you will need one tablespoon for this glaze.
How do I ensure the glaze is smooth?
Use a blender to combine the brown sugar, pineapple, peppers, and spices until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency.
Is the ham placed cut-side up or down in the pan?
The ham should be placed in the large baking pan with the cut end facing down.
How much brown sugar is in the glaze?
The recipe uses 1 cup of packed brown sugar to provide the necessary sweetness for the glaze.
What is the total baking time after the initial 15 minutes?
The ham bakes for an additional 60 minutes after the initial heating phase, for a total oven time of about 75 minutes.
Is this recipe suitable for holidays?
Yes, its impressive presentation and sophisticated sweet and spicy flavor profile make it ideal for holiday feasts.
What equipment is needed for the glaze?
You will need a blender to process the ingredients and a small saucepan to simmer and thicken the mixture.
Do I need to seed the chipotle peppers?
Yes, the instructions recommend seeding and dicing the chipotle chiles before blending them.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Common tags for this dish include ham, pineapple, chipotle, holiday dish, and sweet and spicy.
Can I use a half ham for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe works well with either a whole or a half smoked ham in the 5-7 lb range.
How much salt is added to the glaze?
The recipe suggests 1/4 teaspoon of salt, or you can adjust it to your personal taste.
How do I apply the glaze to the meat?
Carefully brush a generous amount of the pineapple chipotle glaze over the surface of the ham using a kitchen brush.
What is the texture of the glaze?
The glaze is thick and smooth, thanks to the blending of crushed pineapple and the addition of a cornstarch thickener.
Is this dish spicy?
It has a smoky heat from the chipotle peppers, but it is balanced by the sweetness of the pineapple and brown sugar.
How many ingredients are in the Spicy Pineapple-Glazed Ham?
There are a total of 9 ingredients required to make this recipe.