Simple Baked Ham 

Baked hams are not just for special occasions. Of course, it seems we can always get them at a better price around the holidays.

I love a good sale, one that makes me want to stock up. Oooo, the word "Clearance" really makes me stop what I'm doing. Have you ever been in a Target and tried NOT to glance over or peruse their $1 corner? It's like the ultimate test of self control for shopping gladiators; to walk through the maze of adorable stocking stuffers, party favors, fashionable stationary, and not put one item in the cart! What does all this have to do with baked ham?

Well, I was thinking of roast chicken for Easter dinner. However, my grocer had the ham marked down so low I couldn't resist buying one of them. So, I baked a ham. A couple of days ago, I watched Micheal Chiarello bake a ham; scored it, used a spice rub and in the last 10 minutes of baking, drizzled honey all over the top. Mmmm, so I tried it.

Except I didn't have all the ingredients Chiarello used, I had nutmeg, dark brown sugar and honey.

SO HERE'S THE IDEA

• 8 pound ham
• 1 tablespoon or so, nutmeg
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• honey

Preheat the oven to 325F degrees. Spray roasting pan with a little high heat cooking spray. Remove ham from package and remove that plastic thingy that covers the bone. (I'm guessing the plastic thingy keeps the cut bone from rubbing a hole in the packaging.)

Laying the ham on the roasting rack cut side down. Score diagonal cuts in opposite directions, about 1 inch deep, across the ham to make the diamond pattern. Rub on spices and brown sugar to coat the entire ham and get inside the cuts you made. Cover ham lightly with an aluminum foil tent.

According to the cooking instructions on the ham package, bake 20 minutes per pound; for an 8-pound ham, 2 hours 40 minutes. If your oven has the function, set it to turn off in that time. For the last 10 minutes of baking, remove ham from oven, carefully remove foil tent, drizzle honey all over and inside the cuts. Return ham to oven uncovered.

Serve with good ol' mashed potatoes or Loaded Potato Potluck Favorite,  green salad and dinner rolls. Everyone will love it!