• The tartness of the pomegranate molasses marries beautifully with the cardamom and ginger. Pomegranate molasses is available at delis, Thrupps and selected Woolworths stores. 

    Pomegranate-glazed Christmas ham

    Serves: 4 - 6
    Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 mins plus extra for boiling

    Ingredients

    • 3kg ham
    • 3 carrots, chopped
    • 1 onion, halved
    • 10 juniper berries
    • 2 thyme sprigs
    • 20ml salt
    • 4 celery stalks
    • GLAZE

    • 300ml pomegranate molasses
    • juice of 1 lemon
    • juice of 1 orange
    • 400ml dry white wine
    • 20ml sugar
    • 10 cardamom seeds, crushed
    • 50ml glazed ginger syrup
    • 2 pieces glazed ginger, finely sliced
    • 50ml honey

    Instructions

    1

    Place the ham in a deep pot and cover with water. Add the rest of the ingredients and boil over medium heat for 2 hours and 30 minutes.

    2

    Put the glaze ingredients in a pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until it thickens, about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

    3

    Gently lift out the ham and discard the liquid. Carefully remove the rind and discard, score the fat into strips and brush generously with half of the glaze.

    4

    Bake the ham, brushing with the remaining glaze now and then, until the glaze has settled, about 1 hour.

    5

    Serve sliced hot or cold with beetroot and caramelised pears.