Recipe: Smoky Ham with Strawberry Chipotle Sauce (make ahead sauce)

SMOKY HAM WITH STRAWBERRY-CHIPOTLE SAUCE

6 to 8 pound fully-cooked bone-in ham
1/3 cup agave nectar, preferably dark (or honey)
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Strawberry-Chipotle Sauce (for serving, recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Position the rack in the lower third of the oven. Line the bottom of a shallow roasting pan bottom with aluminum foil.

Score a diamond pattern into the ham, about 1/3-inch deep. Place the ham, flat side down, in the pan.

Bake until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F, on a meat thermometer, 15 to 18 minutes per pound. Remove from oven and increase the heat to 400 degrees F.

In a small bowl, mix the agave and smoked paprika. Brush over the ham (not on the flat side).

Return to the oven, and bake until glazed, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven, transfer to a cutting board, and let rest 10 minutes.

Slice ham and serve with Strawberry-Chipotle Sauce.

STRAWBERRY-CHIPOTLE SAUCE

The sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead.

2 pounds strawberries, hulled and halved lengthwise (about 6 cups)
2/3 cup sugar
2 canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, or more to taste
2 teaspoons adobo sauce, (from chilies), or more to taste
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons fresh sage (or 1 teaspoon dried, minced)

In a large nonreactive saucepan, mix strawberries and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until strawberries give off their juices, about 3 minutes.

Using a potato masher or a large slotted spoon, crush strawberries in the saucepan to make a chunky sauce. Stir in chipotle, adobo sauce, and lemon juice. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in sage.

Transfer to a medium bowl placed in a larger bowl of iced water. Let sauce stand, stirring occasionally, until chilled.

In a blender, pulse the sauce until coarsely pureed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Makes 15 servings
Source: National Pork Board