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Quince and orange Christmas ham recipe

By Bunnings magazine /

Glazed ham in a BBQ outdoors.

Overview

Christmas is the time for lighting up the barbecue, heading into the backyard and gathering around the outdoor table to enjoy an abundant spread. Try cooking this festive and fruity glazed Christmas ham for your special family lunch, and wow your loved ones with your BBQ skills. We reckon you’ll be adding this ham recipe to your yearly repertoire!

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (apron and BBQ gloves for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

1BBQ quince and orange-glazed Christmas ham recipe

Serves 12

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups strained orange juice (4 oranges)
  • 140g quince paste, chopped
  • 1⁄3 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 7kg leg ham
  • Cloves
  • Bay leaves and rosemary sprigs, to decorate

     

2Make the Christmas ham glaze

Put the orange juice, quince paste, sugar and vinegar in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. Stir until the sugar and paste have dissolved, and bring to the boil. Gently boil for 12-15 minutes or until thickened. Allow to cool – the glaze will thicken as it does so. Save time on the big day by making this Christmas ham glaze the day before and storing it in an airtight container in the fridge.

3Remove the rind from the leg ham

Preheat the barbecue to 150°C with the hood down. Make a cut around the shank of the ham, about 8cm in from the end. Cut around the rind at the widest end. Slide fingers under the rind and rub across the ham between rind and fat, peeling back the rind, exposing the white fat layer, until you reach the shank. Remove the rind and discard.

4Score the fat

Using the tip of a sharp knife, score the fat in 2cm-wide intervals widthways. Push a clove into the fat at about every 10cm along the lines.

5Prepare a water bath

Pour a 2cm layer of water in the bottom of a large roasting pan that will fit in your barbecue. Place the ham on a rack in the pan (see tips, below).

6Baste the ham with glaze

Reserve half of the glaze in a microwave-safe jug. Use a brush to baste the Christmas ham with the remaining glaze. Cover the shank with foil.

7Cooking ham on the BBQ

Cook the ham in the barbecue, with the hood down, for 45 minutes, basting with glaze and rotating the pan twice during cooking. Refill with water if the level is low – this will catch the glaze and prevent it from burning. Increase the heat to 170°C (see Tips, below). Baste ham with more glaze and cook for a further 45 minutes, hood down, rotating the pan halfway for an even colour and checking the water level. Remove foil and rest the ham for 20 minutes.

8Final touches

Wrap the shank in baking paper and tie with string, decorating with bay leaves and rosemary. Heat the reserved glaze in the microwave and serve with the carved ham.
Carved ham on a timber chopping board.

9Christmas ham on the barbecue tips

  • Preheat your barbecue with all burners on and hood down for about 15 minutes prior to cooking the ham. If you have a gauge, let it reach the desired cooking temperature.
  • Use a strong metal tray or two heavy-duty large foil trays inside each other for stability. The tray must be large enough to fit the whole ham to allow for any glaze to drip into it.
  • Elevating the ham is essential so water can be poured underneath to catch the glaze and prevent it from burning and smoking.
  • Indirect heat is the best way to cook ham in a barbecue. This method uses hot air to circulate around the meat like an oven, rather than directly underneath. On a larger barbecue, switch off the centre burners and leave on the outside burners, and on a smaller barbecue, turn off one side and move the meat to that side.
  • Always make sure that you have enough fuel for your barbecue before you start cooking your Christmas ham – or stock up on a spare gas bottle to be on the safe side!
    • An outdoor table is decorated with a Christmas cracker and flower.

    10Get in the Christmas spirit

    For more tips and advice on all things Christmas, check out our D.I.Y. page.

     

    Photo Credit: Sue Stubbs

    Health & Safety

    Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

    When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.