Party buffet ham
Serves 10 (with leftovers)
A whole baked ham is a thing of beauty and makes a stunning centerpiece.
You will need
1 large onion, quartered 2 carrots, roughly chopped 3 bay leaves Handful of fresh parsley stalks Handful of fresh thyme sprigs 6 allspice berries, lightly crushed 8 black peppercorns 1.5 litres medium-dry cider 9–10kg whole unsmoked ham on the bone, soaked for 8 hours in cold water, changing the water regularly 3 tbsp golden syrup 2 tbsp black treacle 2 tsp ground ginger A good pinch of English mustard powder Juice of ½ orange? 2–3 tbsp Demerara sugar
How to do it
1 Heat the oven to fan 120°C, Gas 1. Put the onion, carrots, bay leaves, herbs, allspice and peppercorns in a deep roasting tin. Pour the cider over, then put a rack on top. 2 Sit the soaked and drained ham on the rack and cover with a large tent of foil, sealing it well. Put on the hob over a high heat and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15 minutes, then transfer to the warm oven and bake for 8 hours or overnight. 3 Remove from the oven and increase the temperature to fan160°c, Gas 4. Using a sharp knife, carefully peel the skin away from the ham, leaving behind as much of the fat as you can. 4 Mix the syrup and treacle with the ginger, mustard powder and orange juice and smear all over the ham. Sprinkle with the sugar, place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes–1 hour until sticky and piping hot throughout.
Calories 328 Fat 17g Sat fat 9g