on the table: Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

By Kenny E. Bennett

The brown sugar glazed ham is one of my favorite recipes to make during the holiday seasons. I became inspired by my aunt Katie, who would always make the brown sugar glazed ham for our family Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. As a child, I fell in love with the cherries and pineapples that she placed on top of the ham, which made me want to learn how to cook. 
I started cooking at seven years old and learned from my mom, Mrs. Sadie Lee Bennett. I can remember the times when I was so little and that I had to get a chair to stand on just to reach the stove. 

My mother taught me almost everything I know about cooking, including reading cookbooks, using measuring utensils, and creating my own recipes. I have been making the brown sugar glazed ham for about ten years. However, three years ago, I added honey to my recipe, and now it is the honey brown sugar glazed ham. 
 

BROWN SUGAR GLAZED HAM

Ingredients: 
3/4 cup Pure ’N Simple Honey
1/2 cup bourbon or whiskey
1/2 cup pineapple juice 
3 tablespoons of water 
1 1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 can of whole pineapples
1 jar of cherries 
1 (5 to 10 pound) whole bone-in smoked ham, fully cooked, sliced
 

Directions

1.   Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
2.   In a medium or large sauce pan, heat bourbon, honey, water, brown sugar, and pineapple juice for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then, reduce heat and stir the glaze occasionally. 
3.   Put ham in oven to cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Then, pour the glaze over the ham and place back in oven for 10 to 15 more minutes. Now, take it out and put the cherries and pineapples on the ham by placing the cherries in the center of the pineapple, and pour the remainder of the glaze over the pineapples and cherries. Place back into oven for 10 minutes. 
4.   Take the ham out of the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.