Ok, I must confess.  I have never been a huge ham fan.  I usually find it too salty or too dry and just not the delectable show-stopping centerpiece that it is often featured in many cooking magazines during this time of year.  Then once Celiac disease came into my life, I pretty much kicked ham completely to the curb because I was just never quite sure about whether or not the usual hams in the grocery store were, indeed, gluten-free.

Then one day I was contacted by the good people at Beeler Pork to see if I would be interested in doing a product test on their pork products.  Of course I said yes, and a few days later I received a wonderful package containing a variety of pork products produced by Beeler Pork – including a ham.  So to make sure I gave them a fair review I prepared the ham and served it to company.  I must admit it was awesome!  I even had my company asking me for the recipe and then they passed it on to all of their friends.  

So, what was the reason this ham turned out so well, when others had led to my disappointment?  Well, number one, I believe it had to do with the ham itself.  Beeler’s produces wonderful pork products.  Beeler farms Heluka pork.  Heluka pork is natural, meaning that the pigs are raised without any antibiotics or growth promotants whatsoever, and are never fed animal by-products.  Their diet consists of all vegetarian ingredients:  corn, soybean meal, vitamins and minerals.  And, every Beeler meat product is gluten-free (with the exception of their new frozen entrees).

Number two, I took my time cooking the ham properly and being extra careful to trap in the moisture.

And finally, number three, I glazed it with a delicious pecan glaze at the end, giving it a beautiful presentation and absolutely delicious taste.   I didn’t find this ham to be dry or too salty – but rather a perfect combination between sweet and salty and yet perfectly moist throughout.  And I can now finally say it’s worthy of the delectable show-stopping centerpieces featured at this time of year!

The Perfect Ham

Serves 8-10

Ingredients:

• 7-7.5 lb. Beeler pork Spiral sliced ham (bone in)
• 1/2 cup gf brown sugar
• 4 Tablespoons honey
• 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

Heat oven to 250° F. Remove ham from all packaging materials. Place Spiral Sliced Ham face-down in a roasting pan. Cover pan with aluminum foil; bake ham 1 hour and 15 minutes. 

Meanwhile, prepare the glaze. Combine the brown sugar, honey, unsalted butter and pecans in a saucepan.  Heat over medium low heat until sugar has dissolved.  Set aside.

Remove ham from the oven and uncover pan. Spread about ¼ cup of the glaze over warm ham, covering top end first, then the sides as evenly as possible. 

Return ham to oven. Bake uncovered 30 to 45 minutes, basting meat with more glaze and pan juices every 15 minutes. Ham is done when center reaches 150° F. on meat thermometer. Remove the ham from roasting pan; place on a ham rack and let rest 10 to 15 minutes.  Serve the extra glaze alongside the sliced ham.

Enjoy!

P.S.  For more information on Beeler Pork products – or to order your ham for Easter contact Beeler at www.beelerspurepork.com, 712-546-4402.

- Chef Jessica

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