how to cook a 12-pound cured ham

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Recipe by
star pooley
Bullhead City, AZ

A cured ham is one that has been treated with salt, nitrates and nitrites, either by injection with the solution or by immersion into the solution, called a wet cure, or by rubbing dry ingredients on the exterior of the ham, known as a dry cure. A ham is preserved, flavored and tinted pink by curing. Cooking a 12-pound cured ham properly requires using a low temperature and roasting for the correct amount of time.

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Ingredients For how to cook a 12-pound cured ham

  • 12 lb
    ham
  • whole cloves
  • meat thermometer

How To Make how to cook a 12-pound cured ham

  • 1
    Remove ham from the refrigerator an hour or two before you plan to begin cooking it so that it will come to room temperature.
  • 2
    Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • 3
    Score the ham skin and fat with a knife, creating a crisscross pattern of diamonds.
  • 4
    Stick a whole clove into each intersection of the scoring.
  • 5
    Put the ham into the baking pan and then put the pan in the oven.
  • 6
    Estimate the amount of time the ham will need to cook. A 12-pound ham will take about 18 to 20 minutes per pound to bake, or roughly three and one-half to four hours. At the lowest time estimate, begin checking the internal temperature. When it reaches 160 degrees F, the ham is done.
  • 7
    Tips & Warnings: --Let the cooked ham rest for about 15 minutes before carving. --If you wish to add a glaze, do so toward the end of baking. Try a brown sugar and powdered mustard coating, or melted preserves such as apricot or cherry. --If you used whole cloves during baking, remove them when carving the ham. --Use the leftover ham for sandwiches or casseroles, and cook the ham bone with beans for a hearty soup. --If the ham does not reach the proper temperature, it may not be safe to eat. Be sure to cook your ham until it is thoroughly done. --After handling the raw ham, wash your hands in warm, soapy water. Do not re-use the knife without washing.

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