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Eventually, you’ll glaze the ham about 15 to 20 minutes before it’s finished cooking. To have the glaze ready in time, start working on it around 45 to 60 minutes before you expect the ham to be done. Quick glazes take mere minutes, and even those that need to be reduced on the stove top take under 15 minutes. For the easiest, no-cook option, simply whisk together 1 ⅓ cup (265 g) of dark brown sugar with 1⁄4 cup (59 mL) of orange juice, red wine, or cognac. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until the sugar has dissolved completely. Alternatively, combine 1 ⅓ cup (265 g) of light brown sugar, 2⁄3 cup (160 mL) of soy sauce, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small saucepan, then bring the ingredients to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat once the mixture has reached a boil. Stir it occasionally, and simmer it for 3 to 5 minutes, or until it’s thickened slightly. Then turn off the heat, and allow the glaze to cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes before brushing it over the ham. Whisk together 1 1⁄3 cups (320 mL) of molasses, 2⁄3 cup (160 mL) of bourbon, and ½ teaspoon (1 g) of ground cloves in a small saucepan. Bring the ingredients to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes. Once the mixture has thickened slightly, turn off the heat, and let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Combine 3⁄4 cup (180 mL) of maple syrup, 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of orange marmalade, 2 tablespoons (30 g) of unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon (16 g) of Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon (2 g) of ground black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon (¾ g) of ground cinnamon in a small saucepan. Simmer the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it’s syrupy and has reduced to 1 cup (240 mL). Let the glaze cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes before brushing it over the ham. You can find countless recipes for glazes, but coming up with your own glaze is easy. Experiment with ingredients on hand until you've balanced sweet, acidic, and savory flavors. Aim to make between 1 and 2 cups (240 and 470 mL) of glaze, and reserve about a third of it to serve at the dinner table. The basic ingredients of a glaze are a sweetener (such as brown sugar or molasses), an acid (such as vinegar or orange juice), and herbs or spices (such as thyme or cloves).
Prepare the glaze after putting the ham in the oven. Whisk up a brown sugar glaze if you want a simple, classic option. Simmer a soy sauce glaze to add savory notes. Combine bourbon, molasses, and cloves for a deep, warm glaze. Make a maple-orange glaze for a tangy, bright flavor combination. Try coming up with your own custom glaze.