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Entree: Ham with Cola & Ale

My take on the classic Ham in Coca Cola, this one has more flavor and not just sweet. Boiling in liquid before glazing a few minutes, is what keeps it so moist.

Ham in Cola & Ale
6-10 lb. cooked ham; cut almost all the way down, about ½” slices
1 onion, peeled and cut in half
1 (2 liter) bottle dark cola (Pepsi or Coca Cola)
1 bottle dark ale or hard root beer
1 cup pineapple juice or orange juice
Put ham in a large stockpot, add onion and pour over the soft drink, beer or ale, and juice. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, put the lid on and cook for 2 hours over low heat.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees; line a roasting pan or large baking pan with aluminum foil.

Glaze
2 teaspoons mustard powder OR 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon Garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg or mace
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon dark molasses
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Whole cloves
Reserving the cooking liquid, carefully remove ham to the foil-lined baking pan and let cool while making glaze.

In a small bowl, mix the glaze ingredients. Remove skin, leaving a thin layer of fat; use a sharp knife to make large diamond shapes in the fat. Put a clove in each diamond and spread glaze mixture over the entire surface. Bake in the foil-lined pan for around 10 minutes, or until crispy and bubbly.

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