Who doesn’t love ham? A well-cooked ham can steal the show at any family dinner, especially during the holidays. Easter is rapidly approaching and, while ham can be delicious, the secret keyword to this being the case is “well-cooked.” As lovely as ham can be, it is also difficult to cook well. If you are hosting an upcoming dinner and would like to serve ham, here are some tips to cooking it perfectly:

• Preheat the oven: Some people make the mistake of putting their ham in the oven at the same time that they switch the oven on. This can lead to your ham being undercooked. If you want to cook your ham thoroughly, be sure to preheat the oven to the correct temperature before you insert the ham.
• Cook your ham for the right amount of time: Did you know that not every ham should be cooked for the same amount of time? The amount of time you cook your ham depends on its weight, so be sure to know the weight of your ham before you attempt to cook it. When you purchase a ham, it may be fully cooked or partially cooked. Fully cooked hams should be placed in the oven for 10 minutes per pound, while partially cooked hams need to be cooked for longer, around 25 minutes per pound.
• Score your ham: By cutting a cross pattern into the rind of your ham, you will cause the ham to retain more flavor while cooking in the oven.
• Baste your ham: Another way to ensure that your ham stays moist is to baste your ham. To do this, you should pour a brine into the bottom of the tray before inserting your ham into the oven and then taking the ham out periodically during the cooking process to pour the brine over the ham.
• Wrap your ham in aluminum foil: If you cook your ham in aluminum foil, there won’t be any moisture lost. One of the biggest complaints about ham that is not cooked well is that it’s too dry. However, this trick will help to keep your ham tender and delicious.

With high levels of protein and iron, ham is the perfect main course for any dinner. Not only is it delicious, but it’s good for you, too. The next time you host a dinner party, bring a dish to a holiday dinner or even want to cook a nice dinner for your family, you should use these tips to cook the perfect ham. Your friends and family will thank you.