Cure 81 Ham Heating Directions Food

HOW TO COOK A 12-POUND CURED HAM

Steps:

• Remove ham from the refrigerator an hour or two before you plan to begin cooking it so that it will come to room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Score the ham skin and fat with a knife, creating a crisscross pattern of diamonds.
• Stick a whole clove into each intersection of the scoring.
• Put the ham into the baking pan and then put the pan in the oven.
• Estimate the amount of time the ham will need to cook. A 12-pound ham will take about 18 to 20 minutes per pound to bake, or roughly three and one-half to four hours. At the lowest time estimate, begin checking the internal temperature. When it reaches 160 degrees F, the ham is done.
• Tips & Warnings: --Let the cooked ham rest for about 15 minutes before carving. --If you wish to add a glaze, do so toward the end of baking. Try a brown sugar and powdered mustard coating, or melted preserves such as apricot or cherry. --If you used whole cloves during baking, remove them when carving the ham. --Use the leftover ham for sandwiches or casseroles, and cook the ham bone with beans for a hearty soup. --If the ham does not reach the proper temperature, it may not be safe to eat. Be sure to cook your ham until it is thoroughly done. --After handling the raw ham, wash your hands in warm, soapy water. Do not re-use the knife without washing.