Cherry and Pineapple Glazed Ham

Ham is definitely a Christmas Day treat that my mother enjoyed while I was growing up.  My family has chosen to continue this time honored tradition.  It certainly would not be Christmas without our ham.  We love ham, and we enjoy making our own glazes.  This glaze is reminiscent of the days when folks would place pineapple slices on the top with a marachino cherry in the center, and cloves stuck into the ham all over the top.  In our family we love cherries and the combination of cherries, pineapple, mustard and cloves is exquisite.  Ham's are usually salty enough so we do not add any to the glaze.  This glaze adds the necessary sweetness while remaining savory.  Our favorite combo of sweet and savory; you can't beat it!

ham

pineapple slices

cloves

For Glaze:

1 cup pineapple juice

1 cup cherry preserves

1/4 cup butter

2 tablespoons whole grain mustard

2 tablespoons brown mustard

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cloves

Boil pineapple juice until it becomes syrup like.  Add remaining ingredients and continue to simmer until thickened. 

Brush onto ham and then place pineapple slices onto the top side of ham.  To keep pineaplle slices in place put toothpicks in the center of the slices.  Baste with glaze every 15 minutes until ham is done.