The Good Homemade Ham

 

                Replace the honey and brown sugar with 250 ml of maple syrup. A typically Quebecois variation.

12 servings

• 60 ml honey
• 250 ml natural apple juice
• 125 ml brown sugar
• 2 ml ground cloves
• 2 ml ground black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 ham in the shoulder with the bone, weighing approximately 3 kg
• 341 ml (1 bottle) dark beer

1. In a small saucepan, pour the honey, apple juice and brown sugar, add the cloves, pepper and bay leaves; bring to a boil and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or until the mixture is thick and forms a caramel.
2. Using a small knife, make criss-cross incisions on the surface of the ham; place the ham in a baking dish and drizzle with the beer.
3. Brush the ham with the caramel, cover and cook for 1 hour 30 minutes in the oven at 300F (150C); remove the lid and continue cooking for 1 hour, basting the ham with its cooking juices frequently and brushing it with the caramel.
4. Slice and serve.

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