Why is ham already cooked

A retired municipal judgem Reynolds holds a degree in communications from Northern Illinois University. Her six children and stepchildren served as subjects of editorials during her tenure as a local newspaper editor. Video of the Day. Step 1. Step 2. Step 3. Step 4. Step 5. Skipping this step will all but guarantee your glaze to harden into a seemingly impenetrable shell on your pan, which will require some major elbow grease to get rid of.

Instead, bring the ham to room temperature before baking, ensuring all of the meat will be evenly cooked once it heads into the oven. This can be done by setting the pork on the counter for about an hour prior to cooking. By scoring the skin of the ham—aka cutting slightly into the skin in a crisscross pattern across the entire surface—you allow both the fat to render out and the glaze to seep into the inner meat, rather than just the outer skin.

Hams are at their best when given the extra time to cook low, slow, and at an even temperature. This will help your glaze caramelize, creating that delectable outer shell. A spiral-cut ham is delicious this way, whether eaten by the slice, tucked into biscuits or in a grilled cheese sandwich. Some brands, including Honey Baked Ham , are even meant to be served this way. But if you want to add a flavorful homemade glaze skip those sauce packets that come with the ham— we have lots of options , or prefer your meat hot, you can also heat a pre-cooked ham up in the oven.

Just make sure that you have a meat thermometer handy, because you don't want it to overcook and dry out. Food safety tips for hungry kids. How long does home-preserved food last? Keeping food safe: Choosing food storage containers. Playing it safe with eggs. Farmer's markets and sustainability: Part two. Related Content. Search Search.