Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham: A Slow-Cooked Symphony of Sweet Elegance
Elevate your holiday feast or special gatherings with the exquisite taste of our Crock Pot Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham—a culinary masterpiece that marries the succulence of slow-cooked ham with the rich sweetness of brown sugar and the tropical allure of pineapple. This delectable creation transforms your kitchen into a fragrant haven as it simmers to perfection in the crock pot, creating a symphony of flavors that promises to be the star of your table. Join us on a journey of culinary indulgence as we unveil the art of slow-cooking elegance.
Ingredients:
- 1 spiral-cut ham (7-8 pounds)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple slices, undrained
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice (from the can)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Prepare the Crock Pot Stage: Begin by setting the stage for slow-cooked perfection. Place the spiral-cut ham in the crock pot, ensuring it fits comfortably to allow for even cooking.
- Brown Sugar Blanket: Sprinkle the brown sugar generously over the ham, creating a sweet and decadent blanket that will caramelize during the slow-cooking process. This step introduces the rich sweetness that will envelop each succulent slice.
- Pineapple Panache: Arrange the pineapple slices around the ham, allowing their natural sweetness to infuse into the meat. Pour the pineapple juice from the can over the ham, adding a burst of tropical flavor that complements the brown sugar beautifully.
- Honey Harmony: Drizzle honey over the ham, creating a harmonious balance of sweetness. This step enhances the overall lusciousness of the dish, infusing the ham with a glossy, irresistible glaze.
- Dijon Dazzle: In a bowl, mix Dijon mustard, ground cloves, and ground cinnamon. Brush or spread this Dijon dazzle over the ham, imparting a subtle tangy kick and a hint of spice that elevates the flavor profile.
- Slow-Cooking Serenade: Set the crock pot to a low setting and let the ham slow-cook for 4-6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the ham to become tender and infused with the delectable combination of brown sugar and pineapple.
- Baste and Blossom: Periodically baste the ham with the juices from the crock pot to ensure it stays moist and absorbs the rich flavors. As it cooks, the ham will blossom into a golden-brown beauty, enticing everyone with its enticing aroma.
- Serving Splendor: Once the slow-cooking serenade is complete, transfer the ham to a serving platter. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing, ensuring each portion is succulent and bursting with the sweet elegance of brown sugar and pineapple.
