Christmas Ham with Balsamic Figs
Adapted from a recipe by
Chef Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit

1 lightly salted ham (14 to 20 pounds)
2 bay leaves
2 carrots, peeled and cut into 2" pieces
2 onions, peeled and cut in quarters
2 juniper berries
2 cloves
1 tablespoon dried thyme
For the Mustard Mix:
3 cups bread crumbs
1 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon ginger powder
2 tablespoons mustard
1 tablespoon garam masala
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

Place ham in a large pot. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Skim the foam off the top. Add bay leaves, carrots, onions, juniper berries, cloves and thyme. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 4 hours. Let ham sit in broth overnight. The next day, lift out and trim the fat. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange the ham meaty side up on a rack in a roasting pan and brush with mustard mix (recipe below). Bake for 30 minutes. Let stand for 30 minutes before slicing.

Serves 16

For the Balsamic Figs:


1 pound dried Mission or Calimyrna figs
1 cup Port wine
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 sprigs thyme, finely chopped
Combine Port wine, vinegar, and thyme in a shallow baking dish. Add figs, making sure to completely submerge in liquid. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate in refrigerator overnight.

Pour figs and marinade into a small sauté pan. Bring to boil over a medium-high flame. Continue boiling until there is very little liquid remaining. Remove from heat. Serve alongside ham.



Article first published in The Wine News

 

Food Editor Carole Kotkin is a Miami-based cooking instructor and consultant who co-authored Mmmmiami - Tempting Tropical Tastes for Home Cooks Everywhere. It provides clear, simple directions for 150 dishes, from the simple (good old Key Lime Pie) to the sublime (Coconut Mahi-Mahi with Passion Fruit Sauce). The wide array of flavors is especially wonderful and startling to those used to monocultural cooking; Miami cuisine is the product of many generations of interbreeding and hybrid vigor. Click on the link below for more details or to order.

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