Espresso Chile Glazed Ham Food

GINGER CHILE GLAZED HAM WITH FLAMBE FINISH

Steps:

• Temper the ham by bringing it out of the fridge 90 minutes before cooking. (This will allow it to heat more evenly and not dry out.)
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Place the ham in a shallow roasting pan fitted with a rack. Using a paring knife, score the fatty side of the ham by gently slicing lines 1/2-inch apart, crisscrossing on an angle to create a diamond pattern. This will allow the glaze to soak into the ham. Add the chicken stock to the bottom of the pan, then cover the pan in foil. Cook for 40 minutes, basting every 10 to 15 minutes.
• To make the glaze, warm the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the ginger and chile flakes and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar, honey, lime juice and Dijon mustard. Bring to a simmer, then cook until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Set aside the glaze in a bowl, leaving about 1/4 cup behind in the pan for finishing.
• Remove the ham from the oven and raise the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Remove the foil from the ham and discard the drippings from the pan. Brush the ham liberally with half of the glaze. Return to the oven and cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes, then brush again. Bake again until dark and caramelized, another 15 minutes. Remove the ham to a rimmed platter.
• Heat the remaining 1/4 cup glaze to a simmer over medium-low heat. If using the bourbon, remove the glaze from heat and add the bourbon. Using a lighter, flambe the alcohol in the pan and very carefully pour over the ham. (The alcohol can be omitted and you can just put the warm glaze over the ham.)

HABANERO BOURBON GLAZED HAM

Steps:

• Combine the orange juice, lime juice, brown sugar, bourbon, maple syrup, vinegar and habanero in a large saucepot. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Simmer until reduced and slightly thickened, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool completely (the mixture will thicken as it cools). Remove the habanero and set aside until ready to use. This can be done ahead of time.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Put your ham in a roasting pan and cook until gently warmed through, about 45 minutes. Then begin basting it was the glaze until it's nicely caramelized, another 20 minutes. Remove the ham, tent with foil and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with any remaining glaze.

POACHED OYSTERS IN CHAMPAGNE WITH A JULIENNE OF VEGETABLES, LEAF SPINACH AND PROSCIUTTO HAM

Steps:

• Shuck the oysters. Reserve the oyster juice. Wash the shells. Cut the vegetables into strips and steam. Set aside Blanch the spinach and set aside Peel and cut the shallots into small dice, then add the white wine and reduce until only 1 tablespoon remains. Add the cream reduce for 30 seconds, then whisk in the butter. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Heat a sauteuse. Pour in the cream, oyster juice, champagne and garlic. Add the oyster, prosciutto and poach for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the shallot-butter sauce off the heat. Spoon into the oyster shells; top with the spinach, then top with the oysters and place a small pile of the steamed vegetables on each oyster. Serve on a bed of blanched seaweed or on a bed of mixed peppercorns.

SPANISH SLOW COOKED HAM WITH SHERRY VINEGAR AND TOMATO: SALPICON DE JAMON

Steps:

• Cut the fresh and smoked ham into large pieces about 3 inches by 3 inches and set aside.
• In a large stockpot, saute the carrots and onions. Add 3 tablespoons of tomato paste and carmelize the mixture. Add the pieces of fresh and smoked ham. Add enough water to cover (approximately 1 gallon). Add the bay leaves and white wine and then bring to a boil and cook until very tender, about 1 1/2 hours, adding more water as needed. Strain and reserve the liquid.
• Shred the meat and set aside.
• In a medium size skillet, saute the julienne tomato and onion. Add the garlic cloves. Crush the canned tomatoes by hand and add to the mixture. Add the sun-dried tomatoes. Add the Sherry vinegar and cook for 5 minutes. Add the shredded ham and slow cook for 15 minutes (add the reserved cooking liquid from the ham to keep stew moist at all times). Season with salt and pepper and serve with yellow rice.

BAKED HAM WITH HONEY-CHIPOTLE GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Place ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Using a sharp knife, score surface of ham with 1/2-in.-deep cuts in a diamond pattern. Bake, uncovered, 1-1/2 hours., Meanwhile, for glaze, in a small saucepan, mix brown sugar, honey, vinegar and ginger ale. Bring to a boil; cook until mixture is reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Reserve 1 cup mixture for sauce; keep warm., Brush ham with some of the remaining glaze. Bake, uncovered, until a thermometer reads 140°, about 30 minutes, brushing twice with additional glaze. Serve with reserved sauce.