How To Cook Excelente Ham To Perfection: A Complete Guide

Excelente ham has become a beloved holiday tradition for many Filipino families This artisanal ham made by Excelente in Quiapo, Manila is renowned for its superior quality and flavor compared to mass-produced hams But cooking this specialty ham can seem intimidating if you’ve never done it before.

Not to worry – we’ve put together this complete guide on how to cook Excelente ham perfectly every time. With the right techniques, you’ll achieve a juicy, flavorful ham with a beautifully glazed exterior to impress your guests. Let’s get started!

Selecting Your Excelente Ham

The first step is choosing the right Excelente ham for your needs. You can select from bone-in or boneless, as well as whole ham or presliced portions. Bone-in ham has the most robust flavor but requires more work to carve. Presliced ham is convenient but won’t have as impressive a presentation.

Consider the flavor too – Excelente offers both sweet and salty ham variations. Try samples of each to decide on your preference. Finally, choose a ham within your budget. Excelente has options at different price points. Once you’ve selected your ham, it’s time to prepare it for cooking.

Preparing Your Ham

Proper preparation ensures your ham cooks evenly and absorbs flavors properly:

• If frozen, thaw in the fridge for 24-48 hours
• Clean and sanitize prep surfaces thoroughly
• Trim off excess fat if desired
• Score the ham by making shallow crosshatch cuts
• Stud with whole cloves for added flavor
• Apply a glaze to infuse flavor (see glazing tips below)

Oven Baking

One easy and reliable way to cook Excelente ham is in the oven Here are step-by-step instructions

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Place ham cut-side down in a foil-lined roasting pan.
• Brush with 1/3 of glaze recipe.
• Cover pan tightly with more foil.
• Bake 10-15 minutes per pound until 110°F internally.
• Remove foil, increase temperature to 425°F.
• Brush with another 1/3 of glaze and bake 10 more minutes.
• Brush with remaining glaze and bake 10 minutes more until 135°F internal temperature.
• Let rest 15 minutes before slicing.

The low temperature cooks the ham through without drying it out. The high heat at the end helps caramelize the glaze to a beautiful shine.

Grilling

For added smoky flavor, try grilling your Excelente ham Use a two-zone fire with high heat on one side and low heat on the other

• Prepare grill for direct/indirect cooking.
• Lightly oil grates and preheat to medium-high.
• Sear ham over direct high heat 2-3 minutes per side.
• Move to indirect low heat, close lid, and cook approximately 15 minutes per pound until desired internal temp.
• Glaze during last 10-15 minutes of grilling time, turning to coat.
• Rest 10 minutes before slicing.

The searing gives great grill marks and flavor, while the indirect heat cooks through gently.

Slow Roasting

For a super tender ham, try slow roasting in the oven at a lower temp:

• Preheat oven to 275°F.
• Place ham in roasting pan, fat-side up.
• Pour in 2 cups water or broth.
• Cover tightly with foil and roast approximately 20 minutes per pound.
• Uncover, glaze, and increase temperature to 400°F last 30 minutes.
• Cook until internal temp reaches 135°F.
• Let rest 15 minutes before carving.

The slow roasting breaks down connective tissue over several hours so the ham ends up incredibly moist and tender.

Glazing Tips

Glazing adds flavor and color to your ham. Try combinations of sweet and tangy ingredients like:

• Brown sugar
• Honey or maple syrup
• Jams or preserves
• Mustard
• Vinegar or citrus juice
• Warm spices (cinnamon, cloves, ginger)

Simmer until slightly thickened then brush onto ham during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Reheat as needed and reserve some glaze for serving tableside.

Internal Temperatures

Always use a meat thermometer to test doneness:

• 125°F for rare
• 135°F for medium rare
• 145°F for medium
• 160°F for well done

For juicy, flavorful Excelente ham, target 135-145°F.

Resting and Carving

Letting your ham rest after cooking is crucial for juicy meat. The internal temp will rise 5-10°F during resting. Wait at least 10-15 minutes before slicing into the ham.

Use a sharp carving knife to cut thin, even slices. If you scored the fat, follow those creases. Have meat forks handy to hold the ham in place while carving.

Serving Suggestions

Excelente ham makes a festive entrée for gatherings. Pair with classic side dishes like:

• Roasted potatoes or yams
• Green bean casserole
• Dinner rolls
• Fruit salad

Offer a selection of mustards, chutneys and the reserved glaze for added flavor at the table.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerate leftover ham in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat slices in the microwave or oven before serving again.

You can also freeze slices or chunks of ham for longer storage. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating to serve again.

Key Takeaways

Follow these tips for perfectly cooked Excelente ham every time:

• Select a whole, bone-in ham for the best flavor.
• Prepare the ham by scoring, studding, and glazing.
• Cook using oven baking, grilling, or slow roasting.
• Use a meat thermometer to reach 135°F internal temp.
• Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
• Pair with classic hearty side dishes.
• Refrigerate leftovers and reuse within 4 days.

With its concentrated pork taste and tender texture, Excelente ham is a star ingredient for gatherings big and small. Now you can cook this specialty Filipino ham like a pro! Impress your family with your skill.