Holiday Ham a La Martha

Ingredients

• 7 lbs ham, rind removed
• whole cloves
• 1 lb dark brown sugar
• 1 (12 ounce) can Coca-Cola (not diet!)
• 1 (14 ounce) can pineapple rings, drained and juice reserved
• 1 cup sweet concord grape wine
• 10-12 maraschino cherries
• fresh bay leaves, for garnish

Directions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 325ºF.

2. 2

   Using a sharp knife, score surface of ham crosswise and lengthwise, forming a crosshatch pattern about 1/4-in deep and 1-in apart.

3. 3

   Place 1 clove in the center of each square. Place ham, fat side up, in a double-layer disposable aluminum roasting pan and pat the brown sugar onto the surface of the ham (Expect some sugar to fall into the roasting pan)

4. 4

   Transfer to oven, and bake until brown sugar just begins to melt, about 30 minutes.

5. 5

   Pour Coca-Cola over ham, mixing with melted sugar in bottom of roasting pan. Baste ham with sugar/Coke mixture.

6. 6

   Return to oven, and bake for 20 minutes more.

7. 7

   Meanwhile, combine 1 cup reserved pineapple juice and wine in a small bowl. Baste ham with pineapple mixture.

8. 8

   Bake ham for a total of 16 minutes per pound, basting every 20 minutes. During the last 20 minutes of baking time, decorate ham with pineapple rings (use 2-3 toothpicks to hold each ring in place).

9. 9

   Center a cherry in the center of each ring, and attach it with a toothpick.

10. 10

    Transfer ham to a platter, removing all toothpicks. Garnish ham with fresh bay leaves if desired.

11. 11

    Makes 10-12 servings.