Name: Maple, mustard and orange glazed ham
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1/4 cup orange juice; 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest; 1/2 cup maple syrup; 2 tablespoon brown sugar; 2 tablespoon dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon english mustard; 4 1/2 kilogram half leg ham with rind on (we used mount mercer outdoor bred half leg ham, available at Costco); 50 cloves; 1 bunch of watercress, to serve

When it comes down to it, a Christmas ham needs to have two things: wonderful flavour and a gorgeous, shiny appearance. This recipe has both in abundance, with a tasty maple, mustard and orange glaze over succulent ham meat. It’s also easy to make and only takes about 15 minutes of prep time, so you can enjoy more of the festivities.

You’ll need these…

Ingredients

1/4 cup orange juice

1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 tablespoon brown sugar

2 tablespoon dijon mustard

1 tablespoon english mustard

4 1/2 kilogram half leg ham with rind on (we used mount mercer outdoor bred half leg ham, available at Costco)

50 cloves

1 bunch of watercress, to serve

Method

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Line baking tray with baking paper.

Place juice, zest, maple syrup, sugar and mustards in saucepan over high heat and whisk to combine. Bring to boil and cook for 5 mins until thickened, stirring occasionally.

Remove rind from ham by pushing your fingers inbetween meat and rind, leaving a generous covering of fat on the meat. Pull rind back as you continue to work your hand over meat. Cut off at bone and remove. Score fat and stud with cloves.

Place ham onto lined baking tray and brush liberally with glaze. Bake for 25 minutes, brush with remaining glaze and return to oven for further 20 to 30 minutes until golden brown.

Place watercress onto serving platter and top with baked ham. Carve and serve.

Tips and notes for your maple, mustard and orange glazed ham

Try to choose Australian pork, which will have an Australian Pork logo or symbol on the packaging at supermarkets. If you go to a butcher, they can tell you where the pork comes from too.
Set aside 5 minutes to focus on preparing the glaze on the stove, as it’s important to stir it as it comes to the boil. After that, it doesn’t take long to thicken.
Check the height of your oven shelves before preheating the oven so you don’t have to adjust it (and risk burning yourself) later.
Set a timer to add more of the maple, mustard and orange glaze to the ham after 25 minutes of cooking. This helps create depth of flavour and a glossy, even glaze.
Remember to rest the ham before carving and serving it. Usually around 15 minutes is ideal, but you can check our complete guide on how to carve a ham for more tips to get the perfect slices.
As well as adding colour and freshness, serving this glazed ham with watercress has nutritional benefits, with the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) ranking it number one on its list of Powerhouse Fruit and Vegetables in 2024.

Watch how to glaze a ham

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