Sweet Honey Glazed Ham: A Sweet Tradition to Share with Your Little Ones
Welcome, culinary explorers and festive families! Today, we’re diving into a sweet tradition that’s as tender and heartwarming as spring itself: making a Sweet Honey Glazed Ham. This isn’t just about creating a mouthwatering centerpiece for your Easter feast; it’s about crafting memories with your little helpers, making each moment in the kitchen a step towards a deliciously sweet family tradition.
Table of Contents
Preparing the Feast: A Family Gathering
Let’s start this culinary journey by gathering around the kitchen, the heart of the home. Bring out your ham, your glaze ingredients, and, most importantly, your eager little assistants. As we embark on this recipe, it’s a chance to talk about the history of Easter traditions and the role food plays in our celebrations. This is a perfect moment to bond, sharing stories of Easter past and hopes for the spring ahead.
The Ham: Unveiling the Star
Our adventure begins with the ham. This is where you, the culinary captain, handle the carving knife, but fret not—there’s plenty for the little ones to do. Have them help you gently pat the ham dry with paper towels, turning this simple task into a lesson on food preparation and safety. Share with them how the ham will transform in the oven, much like a caterpillar turns into a butterfly.
Crafting the Glaze: A Sweet Symphony
Now, the sweet magic begins—the glaze. In a pot, combine honey, brown sugar, and your choice of spices. While the adult manages the stove, let the kids contribute by measuring the honey and sugar and sniffing the spices. They can learn about measurements and the importance of following a recipe. Discuss how each ingredient contributes to the final flavor, just like how each family member adds their unique touch to the holiday.
Brushing on the Sweetness: A Family’s Touch
Once the glaze is golden and bubbling, it’s time for teamwork. Allow the kids to help brush the glaze over the ham with a pastry brush. Supervise closely, ensuring they’re safe from the heat but involved in the transformation. This can be a moment to illustrate the concept of glazing and basting, showing how the heat will caramelize the sugar, locking in moisture and flavor.
The Waiting Game: Time’s Crucial Role
As the ham bakes, it’s a waiting game, but that doesn’t mean the fun pauses. Use this time to create Easter crafts or discuss the story behind Easter and its symbols. This waiting period teaches patience and anticipation, reinforcing that some things, like a perfectly baked ham, are worth waiting for.
Basting Together: Building Flavors and Bonds
Every so often, the ham will need basting. Here’s where everyone can have a turn, spooning the pan juices back over the ham under your watchful eye. Share with the kids how basting keeps the ham moist and adds layer upon layer of flavor. This repetitive task, done together, can become a cherished part of the cooking tradition, emphasizing the joy of teamwork.
The Final Glaze: A Moment of Pride
When the ham is nearly done, it’s time for the final glaze. Kids can once again help apply this last layer, sealing in the culmination of your collective effort. They’ll learn that finishing what they start is important and that the final touches can make all the difference.
The Grand Unveiling: A Shared Triumph of Sweet Honey Glazed Ham
The moment has arrived: The ham is ready, glazed to perfection and filling the kitchen with irresistible aromas. Let the kids be the first to see the fruits of your labor, sharing in the accomplishment. As you remove the ham from the oven, their eyes lighting up with delight, they’ll understand the direct result of their hard work.
Setting the Table: Every Detail Matters
As the ham rests, involve the kids in setting the table. They can fold napkins, arrange the plates, or place the Easter decorations. This teaches them that their contributions matter beyond the kitchen, extending to the presentation and ambiance of the meal.
Carving and Serving: A Family Affair
With the ham ready to be carved, gather the family. While carving is an adult’s job, kids can help by handing you the tools you need or by deciding who gets the first slice. As you serve, let them tell everyone about how they helped prepare the dish, fostering a sense of pride and achievement.
Reflecting on the Day: A Tradition in the Making
As you enjoy the fruits of your labor, engage the family in a conversation about the experience. What did they enjoy the most? What did they learn? This reflection not only solidifies the memory but also opens the door for this cooking adventure to become a recurring Easter tradition.
The Sweet Ending: More Than Just a Meal
In the end, making a Honey-Glazed Easter Ham with your children is about more than just preparing a meal. It’s about sharing skills, creating traditions, and making memories that extend far beyond the dinner table. Each slice of ham carries with it the laughter, the learning, and the love that went into its preparation.
As you tuck your little ones into bed, tired but full of joy, know that you’ve given them more than a festive meal; you’ve given them a taste of family, tradition, and the sweetness of shared experiences. May your Easter be filled with as much warmth and flavor as your delicious honey-glazed creation, and may your kitchen always be a place of shared joy and learning. Happy Easter, and here’s to many more shared meals and memories!
Happy Easter, everyone! May your day be filled with love, laughter, and a whole lot of delicious ham!
Sweet Honey Glazed Ham
Equipment
Equipment and Ingredient sections may contain affiliate links to items we use and love.
Ingredients
- 1 This section may contain affiliate links to products we know and love.Bone-In Ham, about 8-10 lbs
- 1 cup This section may contain affiliate links to products we know and love.Honey
- ½ cup This section may contain affiliate links to products we know and love.Brown Sugar
- ¼ cup This section may contain affiliate links to products we know and love.Dijon Mustard
- ¼ cup This section may contain affiliate links to products we know and love.Pineapple Juice, for an extra tropical touch!
- 2 tsp This section may contain affiliate links to products we know and love.Ground Cloves
- 2 tsp This section may contain affiliate links to products we know and love.Vanilla Extract, for a hint of warmth
- Fresh pineapple slices & maraschino cherries, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Place the ham (face down) in the roasting pan and cover it with aluminum foil. Pop it into the oven to start its warming journey!
- In a mixing bowl, combine honey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, pineapple juice, ground cloves, and vanilla extract. Stir until it’s smooth and irresistibly glossy.
- After the ham has been baking for about an hour, take it out and lovingly brush it with your freshly made honey glaze. Remember, the more, the merrier! This is a fun part for kids to help with.
- Continue to bake the ham, basting it with more glaze every 20 minutes.
- Once the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140°F, and the outside has caramelized to a beautiful golden brown, it’s ready!
- Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with fresh pineapple slices and maraschino cherries for that perfect festive touch.
Notes
This Easter, as you gather around the table with your little ones and dive into this scrumptious ham, take a moment to savor not just the flavors but the memories you’re making. Cooking with kids is about more than just the food—it’s about the giggles, the “oops” moments, and the joy of creating something together. Happy Easter to all the lovely bunnies out there!
Nutrition
Kitchen Gear and Equipment We Use and Love
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