Make the Most of CDO Holiday Ham This Season with Tips and Recipes

When the holidays roll around, CDO hams are a staple at festive gatherings and feasts. These premium hams are precooked and cured to perfection. All you need to do is heat and glaze, and you have an impressive entrée ready in no time.

However, some home cooks are intimidated when it comes to cooking up a bone-in ham. Don’t be! With the right techniques, you can maximize flavor and moisture for holiday ham that’s tender and delicious.

This guide will walk through choosing, prepping, cooking, carving, serving and storing CDO holiday ham. You’ll also find unique recipes to take your ham beyond basic to spectacular. Let’s get started!

Selecting the Best CDO Bone-In Ham

CDO produces a variety of hams for the holidays, so you have options to suit your needs:

• Whole Bone-In – Extra-large ham feeds a crowd

• Half Bone-In – Manageable size for smaller gatherings

• Spiral Sliced – Easy carving and serving

• Honey Glazed – Pre-coated with a sweet glaze

• Brown Sugar Glazed – Hint of molasses flavor

• Pineapple Glazed – Fruity tropical twist

Consider the number of guests, prep time and flavor preferences before choosing your CDO ham. Whichever you select, you’re guaranteed a high-quality, delicious holiday centerpiece.

Prepping CDO Ham Before Cooking

Proper prep ensures the best results:

• Leave ham wrapped and refrigerate until ready to cook.

• Place ham in sink or roasting pan and rinse well before cooking.

• Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.

• Score fat cap in diamond pattern using a sharp knife.

• Stud ham by inserting whole cloves into intersections of cuts.

• Apply desired glaze, warmed to spread evenly.

• Insert meat thermometer away from bone to monitor temp.

With these simple steps, your ham will cook and carve beautifully.

Choosing the Best Cooking Method

You can cook bone-in ham using three easy methods:

Oven: Bake ham uncovered at 325°F until heated through and glaze caramelizes. Time varies based on size.

Stovetop: Place ham in a roasting pan with 1 inch of water. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until heated through, about 10 minutes per pound.

Slow Cooker: Add 1 cup water to crockpot and place ham inside. Cover and cook on Low 6-8 hours until internal temperature reaches 140°F.

The oven method allows the most even heating and easiest access for basting with glaze. Follow suggested cook times for the style of ham you purchased.

Handy Tips for Perfectly Cooked CDO Ham

Use these pro tips for moist, juicy holiday ham every time:

• Let ham sit at room temperature 30 minutes before cooking.

• Cover ham loosely with foil to prevent over-browning.

• Baste with glaze every 30 minutes while cooking.

• Allow 15-20 minutes per pound for reheating fully cooked hams.

• Heat to internal temperature of 140°F for food safety.

• Never rush the process by cooking at high heat.

• Allow ham to rest 20 minutes before carving for juicier meat.

With careful monitoring, you can achieve tender results worth celebrating.

Step-by-Step Guide to Carving CDO Ham

Follow these instructions for neat, thin slices:

1. Place cooked ham on a cutting board, fat side up. Remove skin, leaving a thin layer of fat.

2. Locate hipbone and cut down to the femur, slicing around it to free the meat.

3. Make straight, vertical slices down along the femur bone.

4. Cut diagonally across the grain of the meat in thin slices.

5. Arrange slices neatly on a serving platter. Scoop out any boneless pieces.

Take your time and carve across the grain for the most tender, sliceable texture.

Creative Ways to Use Leftover CDO Holiday Ham

Leftover ham can be reinvented into all kinds of delicious dishes:

• Diced in scrambled eggs, quiche or frittata

• Added to pasta carbonara, mac and cheese or potato casseroles

• Mixed with beans or veggies for hearty soup

• Piled on pizza, flatbreads or sandwiches

• Shredded for creamy fillings in crepes or enchiladas

• Fried up with rice and eggs for ham fried rice

With some creativity, you can give leftovers new life while reducing waste.

Unique CDO Ham Recipe Ideas

Take your holiday ham beyond basic with these tasty recipes:

Brown Sugar Glazed Ham with Pineapple Salsa – Top slices with a fresh pineapple relish for a tangy twist.

CDO Ham Stir Fry with Vegetables – Quick ham and veggie sauté for a weeknight one-pan meal.

Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole – Comforting layers of ham, potato, cheese and creamy sauce.

Ham and Egg Breakfast Sliders – Mini biscuits piled with scrambled eggs, ham and cheese.

Ham, Apple and Brie Grilled Cheese – Sweet and savory upscale sandwich.

With creative recipes, you can serve ham in unexpected ways all season long.

Handling Leftover Ham Safely

Be sure to store leftover ham properly:

• Allow ham to cool completely before refrigerating.

• Carve ham from the bone before storing leftovers.

• Place small portions in shallow airtight containers.

• Refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze up to 2 months.

• Reheat fully until steaming hot, at least 165°F.

Following food safety guidelines prevents bacterial growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to common CDO ham questions:

How long does an uncooked CDO ham last in the fridge? 5-7 days in original packaging.

Can I cook ham straight from the freezer? Yes, add extra cooking time. Thaw in fridge 1-2 days for best results.

What’s the best way to reheat holiday ham? Slice ham and heat in oven at 350°F to 165°F internal temperature.

Why did my ham turn out dry? Ham was overcooked. Always use a meat thermometer and heat just until 140°F.

What’s the healthiest way to prepare CDO ham? Opt for less processed hams and trim visible fat before cooking to reduce calories.

What’s the easiest method for glazing ham? Mix glaze and warm to brush on ham during last 30 minutes of cook time for even coverage.

Have more ham questions? Our guide covers all the details for ham success this holiday season.

Enjoy Foolproof Holiday Ham with CDO

When you want a centerpiece entrée the whole family will love, count on CDO hams for quality, value and convenience. Follow the instructions here for selecting, prepping, cooking and serving impressive bone-in ham worthy of your holiday table.

With delicious recipes for leftovers too, you can continue enjoying your ham purchase long after the big feast is over. Just be sure to store properly for safety.

Take the guesswork and intimidation factor out of cooking holiday ham. With CDO hams and these handy tips, you’re guaranteed mouthwatering results and new traditions everyone at the table will savor.