Best 2 Chef Johns Mini Christmas Hams Recipes

Indulge in a festive feast with Chef John's Mini Christmas Hams, a collection of delectable ham recipes that will add a touch of elegance and flavor to your holiday table. These hams are not only visually stunning, but also packed with succulent flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. From a traditional Honey Baked Ham to a tangy Orange-Glazed Ham, each recipe offers a unique culinary experience. Whether you prefer a savory Herb-Roasted Ham or a sweet and spicy Pineapple-Glazed Ham, Chef John has you covered. These mini hams are perfect for intimate gatherings or as a centerpiece for a grand holiday spread. With detailed instructions and helpful tips, these recipes are accessible to home cooks of all skill levels. Prepare to impress your family and friends with these mouthwatering ham creations that are sure to become a holiday tradition.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

CHEF JOHN'S HONEY-GLAZED HAM

Chef John's Honey-Glazed Ham image

A great holiday ham glaze needs to have three things: wonderful flavor, gorgeous, shiny appearance, and a crispy, crackling crust you can hear across the room. I'm happy to report this easy-to-make glaze has all those things in abundance.

Provided by Chef John

Categories Main Dish Recipes Pork Ham Whole

Time 2h50m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

¾ cup water, or as needed
2 whole star anise
12 whole cloves, or more to taste
1 (7 pound) country-style ham
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
¼ cup honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch cayenne pepper

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Pour water, star anise, and cloves into the bottom of a roasting pan. Place a roasting rack into the pan over the water, anise, and cloves; place ham on rack. Cut 1/4-inch deep slashes 1/2-inch apart lengthwise and crosswise across the top of the entire ham.
Bake ham in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Whisk brown sugar, honey, mustard, vinegar, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until glaze has a thick, smooth consistency.
Brush glaze all over ham. Continue baking ham, brushing glaze on every 20 minutes, until glaze is deep golden and ham is heated through, about 2 hours 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 130 degrees F (54 degrees C).
Use a kitchen torch to heat the glaze on the ham until it is crispy and caramelized, 2 to 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 455.2 calories, Carbohydrate 18.9 g, Cholesterol 97.3 mg, Fat 26.4 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 34 g, SaturatedFat 9.4 g, Sodium 1918.7 mg, Sugar 17.7 g

CHEF JOHN'S MINI CHRISTMAS HAMS

Chef John's Mini Christmas Hams image

These cute, individually sized hams are firm, moist, and perfectly salty. Serve them over the holidays or for your next dinner party.

Provided by Chef John

Categories Baked Pork Chops

Time P2DT50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

Brine:
1 ½ cups boiling water
¾ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup kosher salt
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground allspice
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 bay leaf
2 cups chopped celery
½ yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled
2 cups water
1 quart water, or as needed
4 (1 1/2 inches thick) boneless center-cut pork loin chops
Glaze:
¼ cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
12 whole cloves

Steps:

Combine 1 1/2 cups boiling water, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt, black pepper, allspice, cloves, and bay leaf together in a large container; stir until the sugar and salt are dissolved. (See Cook's Note to substitute table salt.)
Place celery, onion, and garlic in a blender. Add 2 cups cold water and puree until smooth. Pour celery mixture into kosher salt mixture and stir to combine. Add 1 quart of water, or more as needed, to make a total of 2 quarts of brine. Place pork chops in brine, cover, and refrigerate for 2 days.
Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper together in a small bowl and set glaze aside.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Remove pork chops from brine and pat dry; discard used brine. Cut shallow slits along the sides of each pork chop, about 1/4 inch deep. Cut a crisscross pattern in the top of each pork chop, creating small 1-inch triangles.
Heat oil in a large, oven-proof skillet over high heat. Cook chops in the hot oil until browned, about 2 minutes on each side. Brush the crisscrossed top of each pork chop with about 1 tablespoon of glaze. Insert 3 whole cloves in the top of each pork chop.
Transfer skillet to the preheated oven and roast pork chops until golden brown and slightly pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Remove pork chops to a plate and discard cloves.
Using a small butane hand torch, brown the tops of the pork chops by making short passes over the tops with the flame not quite touching.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 790.3 calories, Carbohydrate 61.9 g, Cholesterol 213.1 mg, Fat 21.8 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 82.7 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 13233.9 mg, Sugar 54.9 g

Tips:

Choose the right ham: Look for a bone-in ham that is at least 5 pounds and has a good layer of fat. The fat will help keep the ham moist during cooking.
Score the ham: Use a sharp knife to make a diamond pattern in the skin of the ham. This will help the glaze penetrate the meat and give it a more even flavor.
Glaze the ham: Make a simple glaze by combining sugar, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and cloves. Brush the glaze over the ham before baking it.
Bake the ham: Bake the ham in a preheated oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 16 to 20 minutes per pound. Check the internal temperature of the ham with a meat thermometer to ensure that it has reached 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the ham rest: Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Conclusion:

Chef John's Mini Christmas Hams are a delicious and festive dish that is perfect for a holiday meal. The hams are easy to make and can be customized to your own liking. Whether you prefer a sweet or savory glaze, there is a recipe in this article that will suit your taste. So, fire up your oven and get ready to enjoy these mouthwatering hams!