Are you looking for a delicious and impressive centerpiece for your next family gathering or holiday meal?
Look no further than a Smithfield hardwood smoked half ham!
This classic baked ham is sure to bring back memories of Grandma’s old-fashioned family gatherings, but with a modern twist.
With its natural flavor locked in by flash freezing and a fully cooked, smoked preparation, this ham is easy to prepare and sure to impress.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to cook and serve a Smithfield hardwood smoked half ham, from thawing to carving and serving suggestions.
So let’s get started!
How To Cook A Smithfield Hardwood Smoked Half Ham?
First, it’s important to note that your Smithfield hardwood smoked half ham will arrive frozen or partially thawed, shipped with dry ice in a recyclable Styrofoam cooler. Upon receipt, please refrigerate or re-freeze the ham.
When you’re ready to cook, there are two methods for thawing your ham: under refrigeration or a quicker cold water bath. For the refrigerator method, allow approximately 5 hours per pound to thaw a spiral ham. For the cold water bath method, place the ham in a leak-proof plastic bag and immerse it in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Approximate thawing time for a ham is approximately 30 minutes per pound.
Once your ham is thawed, preheat your oven to 325°F. Remove all packaging materials and place the ham on its side, fat side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil and bake at 325°F for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound, until heated through. Be sure not to overcook!
If you want to add a personal glaze to your ham, prepare it according to your recipe or manufacturer’s instructions. Use a paring knife to cut diamond marks on the fat cap and stud each diamond with a whole clove. Transfer the ham to a roasting pan and roast for the allotted time. Baste with glaze and continue cooking until golden.
When your ham is heated through, remove it from the oven and let it stand covered for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Thawing Your Smithfield Hardwood Smoked Half Ham
Thawing your Smithfield hardwood smoked half ham is an essential step in preparing it for cooking. There are two methods for thawing your ham: under refrigeration or a quicker cold water bath.
Under refrigeration, you will need to allow approximately 5 hours per pound to thaw a spiral ham. For a half ham, this would take approximately two days to thaw in the refrigerator. For a whole ham, it would take approximately 4 days to thaw in the refrigerator.
If you don’t have space inside your refrigerator, you can use a cooler instead. Place the ham in a cooler and set it somewhere out of the way, ideally somewhere that is a little cool. Monitor the temperature inside the cooler; if it starts to rise to 40 degrees F or above, add ice packs to keep the temperature between 35-40 degrees F (1-4 degrees C). Styrofoam coolers work well too. You can pop the end of a probe thermometer right through the side of the cooler to monitor the temperature. Then set the alarm to alert you if the temperature reaches 40 degrees F, so you know to add some ice packs!
For a quicker cold water bath method, place the ham in a leak-proof plastic bag and immerse it in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Approximate thawing time for a ham is approximately 30 minutes per pound.
It’s important to note that once your ham is thawed, it’s ready for cooking. You can refrigerate it for up to 7 days or freeze it for 3 months and still maintain maximum flavor.
Cooking Your Smithfield Hardwood Smoked Half Ham
Cooking your Smithfield hardwood smoked half ham is a simple process that requires a few basic steps. Before you begin, make sure your ham is thawed and at room temperature. This will ensure that it cooks evenly and retains its natural flavor.
To start, preheat your oven to 325°F. Remove all packaging materials from the ham and place it on a rack in a shallow roasting pan, fat side up. Cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil and bake the ham for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound, until it is heated through. Be careful not to overcook the ham, as this can cause it to dry out.
If you want to add a personal touch to your ham, you can prepare a glaze using your favorite recipe or following the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a paring knife to cut diamond marks on the fat cap and stud each diamond with a whole clove. Transfer the ham to a roasting pan and roast for the allotted time. Baste with glaze and continue cooking until golden.
Once your ham is heated through, remove it from the oven and let it stand covered for 10-15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure that your ham is tender and flavorful.
When carving your ham, insert a fork into the meat to hold it firmly in place. Cut several slices off the side of the ham closest to the bone, then cut successive slices along the top of the ham parallel to the cut surface. Remove slices by cutting along the bone across the length of the ham. Be sure to keep the bone and remaining meat for seasoning.
Your Smithfield hardwood smoked half ham is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family gathering or a holiday meal. It can be served as an impressive center-of-the-table entrée or as part of a buffet. Leftovers can be used to season soups, beans, or vegetables, making it a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Glazing Your Smithfield Hardwood Smoked Half Ham
If you want to add a personal touch to your Smithfield hardwood smoked half ham, you can create a glaze to enhance its flavor. Glazing your ham is a simple process that can make a big difference in the taste and presentation of your dish.
To start, prepare your glaze according to your recipe or manufacturer’s instructions. You can use a variety of ingredients to create a glaze, such as brown sugar, honey, mustard, or fruit preserves. Once you have your glaze ready, use a paring knife to cut diamond marks on the fat cap of the ham and stud each diamond with a whole clove. This will allow the glaze to penetrate into the meat and create a beautiful presentation.
Next, transfer the ham to a roasting pan and brush the glaze generously over the entire surface of the ham. Make sure to coat it evenly and thoroughly. Roast the ham in the oven at 325°F for the allotted time, basting it with more glaze every 15-20 minutes. This will create a delicious caramelized crust on the outside of the ham.
When the ham is golden brown and heated through, remove it from the oven and let it stand covered for 10-15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and make it more tender and juicy.
Serving Suggestions For Your Smithfield Hardwood Smoked Half Ham
Now that your Smithfield hardwood smoked half ham is cooked and ready to serve, it’s time to think about how to present it. Here are some serving suggestions that are sure to impress your guests:
1. Classic Ham Dinner: Slice the ham and arrange it on a platter. Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, and dinner rolls for a classic holiday meal.
2. Ham and Cheese Sandwiches: Thinly slice the ham and serve it on crusty bread with your favorite cheese and condiments for a delicious sandwich.
3. Ham and Egg Breakfast: Cube the ham and fry it up with some scrambled eggs for a hearty breakfast.
4. Ham Salad: Chop the ham into small pieces and mix it with mayonnaise, celery, onion, and pickles for a tasty salad.
5. Ham and Pineapple Skewers: Cut the ham into cubes and skewer them with pineapple chunks for a sweet and savory appetizer.
No matter how you choose to serve your Smithfield hardwood smoked half ham, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy!
