Citrus Christmas Ham

Method

In years gone by, oranges were a traditional inclusion in a Christmas stocking. Not only were they considered something of a delicacy, especially in cooler climates, but they were also said to represent bags of gold gifted by Saint Nicolas.

Buy West Eat Best grocery member Woolworths offers a take on the tradition with their glazed Christmas ham recipe with a citrus twist. Look out for WA-grown Moora Citrus oranges, available in stores until the end of January.

• To make glaze, place thyme, maple syrup, vinegar, salt, orange zest and juice in a large saucepan and cook for 12 minutes or until reduced by one third. Stir in the mustard and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 160°c. Grease a large, shallow roasting pan and line with greased foil, then baking paper. Sit the ham on a wire rack over roasting tray.
• Use a small, sharp knife to cut around ham shank. Add 2 cups water to tray and bake for 20 minutes to help separate the skin from the meat.
• Remove ham from oven, cool slightly to handle, then carefully run a knife under the skin, around the edge of the ham. Gently lift off the skin in one piece by running your fingers between the rind and the fat.
• Thinly slice the oranges and use the base of the thyme stems to pin orange slices over the ham’s surface, overlapping slightly. Pour the glaze over the top.
• Increase oven temperature to 190°c. Bake ham for a further 1hr and 30 mins, or until ham and orange slices are golden and caramelised, basting with glaze every 20 minutes.