Skip the pineapple, this Easter Ham recipe is a tasty upgrade

From brunch to a big family dinner, this Easter Ham recipe could become the star of the table. While many home cooks turn to pineapple as the fruit to bring a little sweetness to the recipe, it doesn’t have to be the only fruit in the mix. Ready for a marvelous mango upgrade?

Ham can often be a tricky dish to master. While the food seems easy to prepare, the reality is that the ham needs to be cooked well. From being bland to woefully overcooked, many home cooks prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

One easy way to ensure that the food is a delicious dish on the table is to build flavor. Finding contrasting flavors often create that perfect balance. While most cooks appreciate the sweet and salty, sweet and spicy can be equally as enjoyable.

When some people hear the world spicy, it can suggest chilis. But, spice isn’t just limited to heat. Mustard and ginger are two good examples of other spicy flavors.

In this Easter Ham recipe, the dish has a lovely yin and yang from the mango and the mustard. While the mango brings the tropical flavor note, the mustard grounds the dish in a robust, slightly bolder flavor.

Also, the apple cider vinegar brings the touch of sour with a contrast of the honey. As food science has shown, creating the perfect recipe is about the complements and contrasts. This Easter ham recipe captures that concept.

Here’s how to make Mango Mustard Glazed Ham, an Easter ham recipe.

Ingredients

• 10-pound bone-in, spiral sliced ham
• 1 cup ripe mango, cubed
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

• Allow ham to sit at room temperature for so 30 minutes prior to cooking.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Place ham cut-side down in a roasting pan and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes.
• While the ham is cooking, make the glaze by combining mango, vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic and pepper in a blender. Puree until smooth.
• Brush the glaze over the entire ham, return to the oven, and continue to cook for another 20 minutes, until the glaze is set and the internal temperature of the ham reaches 140°F. Serve.

A couple of helpful hints will make the difference in this Easter ham recipe. First, bringing the ham to room temperature helps for even cooking.

Second, an even coating the glaze can help to absorb all the flavors. Continual basting adds layers of flavors.

Lastly, be considerate of certain side dishes on the table. Just like the recipe plays with complements and contrasts, the side dishes should, too.

What is your favorite Easter ham recipe? Will you consider this recipe idea?