Where’s My Invite? Holiday Ham Recipe with Cinnamon, Nutmeg + Cloves Plus Bacon Green Beans with Farmer Johns
The holidays to me are all about family, friends and food, with added emphasis on the food element. Food brings everyone together, and shows people just how much they mean to you.
You will be the most popular person with this easy Holiday Ham recipe featuring maple syrup, mustard, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon!
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of grade A or B real maple syrup
- 1/4 cup mustard (use your favorite premium mustard)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp finely minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp fresh ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp fresh ground cloves
First pick up a Farmer John Whole Ham. It comes in a gorgeous gold bag that will put a smile on your face.
To cook the ham, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Place the ham in a roasting pan, and add some water to the pan beneath the ham so the pan doesn’t burn with the drippings.
Cover the ham with aluminum foil.
Roast for 15 minutes per pound to heat the ham all of the way through.
While the ham is cooking, make the glaze.
I use a glass measuring cup to make sauces and glazes.
First add the maple syrup, mustard and brown sugar. Stir. Next add the garlic. If you don’t like garlic you can omit, but I like garlic on just about everything. Next add the nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. Your house will now smell amazing.
Add the glaze to a small pot and cook on low for a few minute to bring the glaze together, about 4-5 minutes.
When done, let it cool. When the ham is 20 minutes from being done, remove the foil and pour the glaze over the ham. Cook for 15-20 minutes.
Remove the ham from the oven and let cool before you slice it.
Remember you never want to slice hot meat, as the natural juices will run from the meat and cause it to dry out. Give it time to “rest” and cool before slicing.
When you slice, place the shank to your right. Use a sharp carving knife and slice from the smaller end with the shank in pieces. You can leave the pieces on the ham and let people select their own or serve them in cut pieces on a platter.
While you let the ham rest, you can make the sides like the Green Beans with All-Natural Bacon.
Green Bean Ingredients:
- 16 ounces Green Beans
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 4 Slices of FARMER JOHN® All-Natural Bacon, baked
- 3 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 Shallot, minced
- 1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- Sprinkle of Salt
- Sprinkle of Pepper
- Sprinkle of Garlic Powder
Mine garlic and shallots. Wash green beans and trim ends.
Heat oven to 400 degrees and place bacon on a baking sheet with raised sides on aluminum foil. Aluminum foil is optional, but it makes clean up a breeze (and I don’t cook with bacon fat. If you save bacon fat for cooking, just use the baking sheet).
Roast bacon for 12 – 15 minutes, taking it out when it is nice and crispy.
Set aside bacon.
Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a pan or wok. When warm, add garlic and shallots. Cook for 3 minutes until fragrant and starting to turn opaque.
Add green beans.
After 2 minutes, season with salt and pepper (to taste).
After 2 more minutes, sprinkle the balsamic vinegar on the green beans and stir. If needed, add a little more olive oil.
After 1 minute, remove from heat. Do not over cook, green beans are best when they maintain a firm but soft texture.
Once bacon has cooled, pat with a paper towel to remove grease. Then cut on a cutting board and sprinkle over green beans.
You will be the star of your party. Prepare to have friends offer you bottles of wine and other bribes to make this meal again for them.
If you have left over ham, save the ham in the refrigerator under aluminum foil. You can use it for sandwiches, salads or my favorite, split pea soup!
*This post is sponsored by Farmer John but all the opinions and enthusiasm are my own!