Fig Glazed Ham With Dried Fruit Compote Recipes

FIG GLAZED HAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Trim the ham by removing the outer skin/rind, leaving a 1/4-inch of fat. Score the fat layer with a paring knife in a diamond pattern.
• Put the ham, cut side down, in a roasting pan or large baking dish. Add 1 1/2 cups of water and cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Meanwhile make the glaze by whisking all of the remaining ingredients together in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Simmer, stirring often, to infuse flavors and to thin the preserves, about 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside 1/4 cup of the glaze.
• Remove the foil after the ham has cooked for 1 hour and brush it with the glaze, working it into the scores. Bake the ham, uncovered, another 40 minutes, basting again after 10 minutes. Remove the ham from the oven when an internal temperature of 140 degrees F is reached on an instant-read thermometer. Transfer the ham to carving board and it let rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Skim off as much of the fat as possible and then whisk in the reserved 1/4 cup of glaze. Bring the pan to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until the desired consistency is reached. Strain into a warmed gravy dish for a smooth sauce, if desired. Thinly slice the ham and arrange it on a serving platter. Serve with the gravy on the side.

DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine all of the dried fruit and add enough hot water to cover by an inch. Soak for 20 minutes. Drain the mixture.
• In a saucepan combine the fruit with the sugar, the lemon and orange zests, the lemon juice, and the water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer the mixture for 10 to 20 minutes, or until the fruit is tender. Remove the pan from the heat and let the compote cool. The compote will keep for a week if covered and chilled. Serve the compote at room temperature with ice cream.

SWEET DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups of the water with the dried fruit in a large bowl. Let soak for 1 hour.
• In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 2 cups of water, orange juice, sugar, and lemon zest over medium-high heat. Add the fruit and the soaking liquid to the pan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the cinnamon and clove. Simmer 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit has softened and the mixture has thickened. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Serve warm or cold.
• Cook's Note: If using store bought dried fruit, chop the pieces into 1/2-inch chunks and simmer the mixture an additional 15 to 20 minutes.