Recipe: Baked Ham with Apricot Mustard Sauce

BAKED HAM WITH APRICOT MUSTARD
Clove-scented ham is delicious with fruit sauce

1 (5 to 7 pound) fully-cooked bone-in smoked ham, butt portion OR
1 (4 to 5 pound) fully-cooked boneless smoked half-ham
Spice Islands Whole Cloves
1/3 cup apricot preserves
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard

Apricot Mustard Sauce:
1 can (17 ounces) apricot halves, undrained
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1/8 teaspoon Spice Islands Ground Cloves

Place ham on rack in roasting pan and bake at 325 degrees F. for 2-1/2 to 3 hours or until thermometer in thickest part of meat registers 140 degrees F, do not touch the bone. (Note: Some boneless hams recommend adding water to pan and cover pan tightly with foil; if so, follow directions on label). Remove ham from oven. Cut shallow diamond shapes onto outside surface of ham; stud with cloves.

In small bowl, combine apricot preserves and mustard; brush over ham. Return ham to oven; bake for additional 30 minutes or until glaze is set and begins to caramelize. Serve with prepared Apricot Mustard Sauce.

Apricot Mustard Sauce:
In blender or food processor container, puree apricots. In saucepan, combine apricot puree, mustard, white wine vinegar and ground cloves; heat through. Makes 1-2/3 cups. Recipe may be doubled.

Makes 10 servings.