Holiday Centerpiece Dish: The Grand Finale Feast:

The Heart of the Table

For me, a holiday table needs a star. This ham is that star. It sits there, all shiny and sweet. It makes everyone feel special.

I remember my Tía Rosa making this. The smell would fill the whole house. We kids would sneak into the kitchen for a peek. I still laugh at that. That smell meant family was coming together. That is why this matters.

A Little Secret for Big Flavor

Do not skip scoring the ham. It looks fancy but it is easy. Just make little cuts in a diamond pattern. This is the secret.

The sweet, sticky glaze gets deep into those cuts. Every single bite is full of flavor. Fun fact: This diamond pattern is sometimes called hatching. It makes the ham look dressed up for the party. Do you have a special trick for making food look pretty?

The Magic of the Glaze

Now for the best part. You mix butter, brown sugar, and honey. Add a little spicy mustard. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

The mustard is not for heat. It keeps the glaze from being too sweet. It gives it a nice little kick. I love how these simple things work together. It reminds me that the best things in life are often simple. That is another reason why this matters.

A Cozy Blanket for Your Ham

The first part of cooking is like tucking the ham into bed. You cover it tightly with foil. This keeps all the steam inside.

This steam is what makes the ham so juicy and tender. It cooks gently in its own little sauna. Then you take the blanket off for the last hour. This lets the outside get all sticky and beautiful. What is your favorite cozy food for a holiday?

The Final Touch

After baking, you must let the ham rest. It seems hard to wait. But trust me, it is important.

Letting it sit for 15 minutes lets the juices settle. If you cut it right away, all the good juice will run out. Your slices will be dry. Waiting makes every piece perfect. This little bit of patience makes a big difference. Do you agree that waiting for food is sometimes the hardest part?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
smoked ham	8 pounds	semi-boneless or bone-in. It depends on the brand
unsalted butter	4 tablespoons	melted
brown sugar	1 cup
honey	¼ cup
spicy brown mustard	¼ cup
salt	1 teaspoon
black pepper	½ teaspoon
ground cloves	¼ teaspoon
water	1 cup
whole cloves		optional garnish

The Grand Finale Feast: A Holiday Ham Story

Hello, my dear! Come sit with me. I want to tell you about our holiday ham. This recipe is the star of our table. It fills the whole house with the most wonderful smell. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It reminds me of my own abuela’s kitchen. She taught me this recipe when I was just your age.

We start with a good, smoked ham. It feels like a big hug from the inside. The secret is the sweet and spicy glaze we paint on top. It gets all sticky and golden in the oven. I still laugh at the time I used the whole jar of cloves. My family said the ham tasted like Christmas perfume! We will be more careful today.

Let’s get our hands busy. Here is how we make our grand finale feast.

• Step 1: First, move your oven rack down. We need room for our big ham! Preheat your oven to 325°F. Get out your large roasting pan. You will also need a big piece of strong foil. This keeps all the steam and flavor locked in.
• Step 2: Take all the packaging off the ham. Sometimes it comes with a little flavor packet. I just toss that out. We make our own magic! Place the ham right in the roasting pan. See how it fits? It is the guest of honor.
• Step 3: Now, take a sharp knife. We will make little cuts on the top of the ham. Cut them in a criss-cross pattern to make diamonds. Do not cut too deep, just about half an inch. This lets our yummy glaze soak in. (A hard-learned tip: a sharp knife is safer than a dull one. It glides easily!)
• Step 4: Time for the best part, the glaze! In a bowl, mix the melted butter and brown sugar. Then add the honey, mustard, and all the spices. Stir it all together. It will be thick and shiny. This is the secret to our beautiful, flavorful ham.
• Step 5: Pour one cup of water into the bottom of the pan. This keeps everything moist. Now, cover the whole ham tightly with that big piece of foil. Seal the edges well. We do not want any of that good steam to escape. It is like tucking the ham into a warm bed.
• Step 6: Bake the ham for about one hour. Then, carefully take it out. Remove the foil and set it aside. The ham will be warm and steamy. Can you see the diamond patterns we made? They are ready for their glaze.
• Step 7: Use a pastry brush to paint the glaze all over the ham. Get the glaze into all those little cuts we made. Be generous! This makes the ham sweet, sticky, and so delicious. Do you like your ham more sweet or more savory? Share below!
• Step 8: For a fancy look, you can add whole cloves. Poke one into the center of each diamond. They look like little jewels! If you do this, use less ground clove in the glaze. My grandson calls this the “fancy-pants” version.
• Step 9: Put the ham back in the oven, but do not cover it. Let it bake for another hour or so. You can spoon the pan juices over it sometimes. This is called basting. It keeps the ham from getting dry. It is done when a thermometer reads 140°F.
• Step 10: Take the ham out and let it rest. Just cover it lightly with the old foil. Let it sit for 15 minutes. This makes the meat juicier when we slice it. The waiting is the hardest part, I know!

Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 16 servings
Category: Holiday Dinner

Three Fun Twists on Our Holiday Ham

This recipe is wonderful as it is. But sometimes, it is fun to play with your food! Here are three easy ways to change it up. Each one gives the ham a whole new personality. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

• Pineapple Sweetness: Add a can of crushed pineapple to the glaze. It makes the ham taste like a tropical vacation.
• Spicy Kick: Mix a tablespoon of chili powder into the glaze. It gives you a sweet heat that is so exciting.
• Orange Zest: Stir the grated peel of one orange into the glaze. It makes the whole kitchen smell like sunshine.

How to Serve Your Grand Finale Feast

A beautiful ham needs good friends on the plate. I love to serve it with creamy mashed potatoes. The glaze is so good poured over them! Buttery green beans or roasted carrots are lovely, too. For a fresh crunch, a simple salad with apples is perfect.

What should we drink with this feast? For the grown-ups, a chilled glass of apple cider is nice. For everyone, a fizzy ginger ale with a lime wedge is so festive. It cuts through the richness of the ham. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Holiday Ham Happy

Let’s talk about leftovers. They are the best part. First, let the ham cool completely. Then slice it off the bone. Store the slices in airtight containers in the fridge. They will stay good for about four days.

You can also freeze ham for later. I wrap slices tightly in foil. Then I place them in a freezer bag. This keeps them from getting freezer burn. I once forgot to label a bag. We had a mystery meat dinner for a week!

To reheat, place slices in a baking dish. Add a little broth or water to the bottom. Cover it with foil and warm it in a 325°F oven. This keeps the ham from drying out. Batch cooking like this saves you time later. It means less work and more family time.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for a Perfect Ham

Is your glaze not sticking? This is a common problem. Make sure you score the ham deeply enough. The little diamond cuts hold the sweet glaze. I remember when my first glaze all slid right off. The ham was fine, but it was not as pretty.

Worried about a dry ham? The secret is the foil and water. Covering it tightly at first traps steam. This keeps your ham wonderfully moist. Getting this right builds your cooking confidence. A moist ham is a joy to eat and serve.

Is the outside getting too dark? Just tent it with foil. Loosely place a piece over the top. This will slow down the browning. Your ham will be golden, not burnt. A beautiful color means beautiful, caramelized flavor.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Ham Questions, Answered

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free? A: Yes, it is. All the ingredients are naturally safe.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: You can make the glaze a day early. Just keep it in the fridge.

Q: What if I don’t have spicy mustard? A: Use Dijon or yellow mustard. It will still taste great.

Q: Can I make a smaller ham? A: Absolutely. Just cut the glaze ingredients in half.

Q: Are the whole cloves necessary? A: No, they are just for a pretty look. Fun fact: Cloves are actually dried flower buds!

Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love this holiday ham. It has been a star at my table for years. Cooking for people is an act of love. It fills your home with wonderful smells and warmth.

I would be so happy to see your creation. Share a picture of your beautiful table. Let’s inspire each other with our family feasts.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Lena Morales.