Really stupid cooking question - Ham

kate930 · December 2009

My mom asked me to make the ham for Christmas dinner, and I have never cooked one before. I have found all of these amazing recipes - but they all involve cooking the ham, then removing it and scoring it, then baking it some more.

For some reason, I feel like my mom always buys pre-cut hams. Are those available? If so, does that change the cooking directions? I would love to do one of these fancy glazes, but I don't know if I am supposed to start at the second time they go in the oven, or if I cook for the entire time period.

Does anyone understand what I am asking? Sorry for the idiotic cooking question. :P

Alexandra*sMom · December 2009

You could buy a presliced honey ham. Super yummy!

We just get a pig, so it is just a slab of meat. I never do anything fancier than bake it.

ejh090305 · December 2009

Easiest ham ever.....buy a hormel ham. It comes with a packet of glaze that you put on after it is hot. So basically all you do is heat the ham, say....for an hour (they are pre-cooked) Then once hot, you mix the glaze packet with water, pour it on, stick it back in the oven for 20ish minutes and voila. My hubby works for Hormel and brings one of these homes each year. They are so good. The best ham variety is Cure 81....I know far too much about these things.

LovedWifey · December 2009

I just made one yesterday

I bought a pre sliced sprial honey ham.. it came with a packet for the glaze and when it was time i poured it on and then baked for another 25 minutes. It was sooo yummy!

xtencornfield · December 2009

I haven't made ham in a few years but I always buy the spiral cut (i.e. no scoring needed)--I forget the name of my favorite. Yes, if you get a spiral cut, cooking directions will be different. Just follow the directions on the ham itself. Also, many hams will come with a glaze and I usually just doctor the glaze a bit. I usually add orange juice and pineapple juice and then put pineapple slices on the ham and stud with some cloves.