Baked Cherry Relish Ham (Freezer Meal)

Treat yourself to a special meal when you really don't have the time to prepare it! This quick and easy special dish is perfect for busy weeknights or when you have unexpected guests.

Ingredients:

• 1 5 to 6 pound cooked ham (the shank portion or rump half is fine)
• 24 whole cloves
• Cherry Relish
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
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• 2 tablespoons cherry brandy or orange juice
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 cup dried tart red cherries
• 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
• 1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel

Directions:

Score your ham by cutting diagonally in a diamond patter and then stud with the cloves. Put the ham on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Insert a meat thermometer ensuring that the thermometer does not touch the ham bone. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours or until the meat thermometer reads 135 degrees. Allow the ham to cool before cubing and placing in freezer safe containers. The ham can be frozen for up to 3 months.

To use the frozen baked ham, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then serve with the cherry relish.

To make cherry relish, combine 1/4 sugar, 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons cherry brandy or orange juice and 2 tablespoons water in a large saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Add 1 cup of dried tart red cherries, bring to a boil, reduce heat and then stir for about 5 minutes or until the cherries have softened. Remove the relish from the heat. Stir in the toasted pecans and shredded orange peel. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Baked Cherry Relish Ham yields about 8 servings.