Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Frugal Honey Baked Ham!
Have you ever tasted a Honey Baked Ham? If you have, then you know why I think they are the most delicious ham ever! I have tried the glaze that comes with the grocery store hams and just don't think it is even close to the same.
With my parents coming this year - I had contemplated the idea of ordering one. But, had an idea to ask David to see what he could find online about making your own since my budget wasn't too keen on spending so much on just the ham!
He quickly found this recipe with great instructions and I was so excited to try it! I borrowed a blow torch from my brother-in-law and went to work.
My Mom captured this event for you to see me actually using a blow torch!
Now for the torching!
Our ham was about $15 total and I saved $60 by doing this myself! I thought this ham turned out great - the coating was not as crispy on the outside as the one from the HBH store. But, here are a few things I learned:
* I was too conservative with the blow torch at the beginning. Holding the flame closer and watching the sugar bubble and the edges of the meat sizzle and start to curl made a much better coating.
* When the liquid from the ham gets on the sugar, it is easier to just spoon or scoop up the sugar off of the waxed paper and rub it on the ham with your hands and then torch it.
* To do repeat layers of the coating would probably give better results, but would take more sugar mixture than the recipe calls for. Next time, I would make one and one half or double of the sugar coating so that there was enough to do repeat coatings.
The flavor of the ham and the juices were very similar to the HBH hams. All in all, it was a great experiment and a successful first try!
With my parents coming this year - I had contemplated the idea of ordering one. But, had an idea to ask David to see what he could find online about making your own since my budget wasn't too keen on spending so much on just the ham!
He quickly found this recipe with great instructions and I was so excited to try it! I borrowed a blow torch from my brother-in-law and went to work.
My Mom captured this event for you to see me actually using a blow torch!
First of all, rolling the ham in the sugar and spice coating:
Now for the torching!
Our ham was about $15 total and I saved $60 by doing this myself! I thought this ham turned out great - the coating was not as crispy on the outside as the one from the HBH store. But, here are a few things I learned:* I was too conservative with the blow torch at the beginning. Holding the flame closer and watching the sugar bubble and the edges of the meat sizzle and start to curl made a much better coating.
* When the liquid from the ham gets on the sugar, it is easier to just spoon or scoop up the sugar off of the waxed paper and rub it on the ham with your hands and then torch it.
* To do repeat layers of the coating would probably give better results, but would take more sugar mixture than the recipe calls for. Next time, I would make one and one half or double of the sugar coating so that there was enough to do repeat coatings.
The flavor of the ham and the juices were very similar to the HBH hams. All in all, it was a great experiment and a successful first try!
Labels: from my kitchen
18 Comments:
You are brave! Way to go! I'll keep this in mind for next year - we love HBH too, but the price is outrageous, and I never remember in time that my ham has to be reserved.
Good job!
Wow! That is fantastic! It looks wonderful! Great job! :)
Monica, this was a fun memory from our time together! I agree that you are brave and adventurous ~ and I confirm that the ham was indeed delicious! :) Love you, Mom
I have never even eaten a honey baked ham but you have spiked my interest. Thank you for sharing your recipe and your experience!
Way to go Monica:) You never cease to amaze me!
That is amazing, Monica! I would have never thought to attempt something like that, but I will be keeping it in mind for next year. Thanks for the idea and the recipe!!
Hi Monica. I'm really hungry now. You are sooo industrious! Have a Happy New Year!!!
I've never had a HBH either, but now I want to make my own like you did, thanks so much for sharing your adventure! Never a dull moment!!
Jenn :)
I love HBH too! Like you they are priced out of my food budget. I am going to print this and might have to do a trial run before Easter. Great job, Monica!
Thia is about the coolest thing I've seen! I'm thinking of Easter already...
hey way to go! I don't know if I would be brave enough to try that...although I've been watching the food shows lately and gaining confidence to try things I wouldn't have a year ago! Sounds like you are off to a great start for the New Year
Wow, that is amazing. Cooking with a blow torch puts a whole new meaning to fun!
As the kids say, YOU GO, GIRL!! You looked mighty professional there with your blow torch ... I love it;o)
Wow! That looks great! You've inspired me to try this. My husband might not be game for it with the blow torch and all...but I'm still going to ask him! Thanks for sharing this!
You are a brave girl. I would be afraid I would blow the kitchen up with the torch. :)
This is my first time to your site. I loved it. I will return again.
Happy New Year,
~Martie
WOW! How neat! It looks so good! Did you get a spiral ham..or did you cut it that way?
Here is another great use for my creme brulee torch! Thanks for this inspiration.
Molly
http://cuppa-cuppa.blogspot.com
littleladyboutique: I did start with a spiral cut ham. You can cut it yourself, but with the great sales, it did not make sense! :)
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