Lemon-and-Pickled-Pepper- Glazed Ham

• Recipe by Grace Parisi

Any pickled pepper will work in this recipe but I love hot Peppadew peppers for their fruity flavor and sweet-and-sour brine. Since the heat level of pickled peppers can vary wildly, you might want to add them gradually while making the glaze.

Ingredients

1. One 7 1/2 pound bone-in smoked ham
2. 1 lemon, thinly sliced
3. 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
4. 3 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
5. 3/4 cup lemon-lime marmalade (17 ounces; see Note)
6. 1/4 cup seeded, coarsely chopped pickled peppers, such as hot Peppadew, Italian cherry peppers or jalapeños
7. 1/4 cup grainy mustard
8. 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juic
9. 2 tablespoons bourbon
10. 2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 3 tablespoons water

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Using a sharp knife, remove the rind from the ham, leaving a layer of fat all around that is at least 1/4 inch thick. Deeply score the fat in a crosshatch pattern at 1/2-inch intervals. Transfer the ham to a large roasting pan and scatter the lemon and onion slices around it. Add the chicken stock or broth to the roasting pan.
2. In a food processor, combine the lemon-lime marmalade, pickled peppers, mustard, lemon juice and bourbon, and process into a coarse puree. Brush the top of the ham with 2 tablespoons of the lemon-and-pickled-pepper glaze. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove the foil. Brush the ham with a scant 1/2 cup of the glaze and bake for 1 hour. Brush with another scant 1/2 cup of the glaze and bake until the ham is browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat registers 155°, about 30 minutes longer.
3. Transfer the ham to a cutting board. Strain the pan juices into a large glass measuring cup and skim off the fat. Transfer the juices to a medium saucepan, and boil until reduced to 2 1/2 cups, about 5 minutes. Whisk the cornstarch slurry, and add it to the juices in the saucepan along with the remaining 1/2 cup of glaze. Simmer over moderately high heat, stirring, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Slice the ham and serve with the sauce.

Make Ahead

The Lemon-and-Pickled-Pepper Glaze can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Notes

Lemon-lime marmalade (we like Thursday Cottage brand) is available at supermarkets and specialty shops, or you can substitute lemon, orange or grapefruit marmalade.