Ham is classic Easter fare, but that doesn't mean it has to be boring. This recipe is an inventive twist on the classic ham with pineapple that your guests will adore. And you'll love the ease with which it comes together.
Spiral sliced ham is a boon for anyone throwing a large Easter gathering. Not only is every slice the same thickness but, if cooked properly, the ham will be tender and juicy and require nothing more than a horizontal cut to the bone before serving.
The trouble with spiral sliced hams is that, because they're precooked, it's easy to dry them out during reheating. This recipe makes use of the slow cooker, which ensures a moist, tender ham while freeing up your oven for all those delicious Easter side dishes.
Even better, you'll impress your guests when you serve up slices of moist, hot ham topped off with a delicious sweet and sour pineapple chutney. In the chutney, which can be made two days ahead, lime juice stands in for the usual vinegar, imparting a fruity tang that's complimented by the subtle flavors of rum and allspice and the savory herbal notes of thyme.
This recipe is based on the use of a spiral sliced half ham. Be sure to buy a ham that fits in your slow cooker. An oblong 6 ½-quart model is ideal for an average sized half ham.
No Fuss Spiral Sliced Ham with Pineapple Rum Chutney
Ingredients:
Spiral sliced half ham
Water
Directions:
Place the ham into your slow cooker. Add ½ cup or more of water to cover the bottom of the cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5-8 hours, until ham is heated through. An 8-9 pound ham will take approximately 5 hours in an average slow cooker.
Serve with pineapple chutney (recipe follows)
Pineapple Chutney
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and minced
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup white rum
1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and diced into ½ inch pieces
½ cup fresh lime juice
½ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground allspice
1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
Pinch of crushed red pepper
Directions:
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute onion until for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly soft. Add ginger and salt. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add rum to pan; cook 30 seconds or until most of the liquid has evaporated. Stir in pineapple, lime juice, sugar and spices; bring to a boil. Cook 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pineapple is tender and liquid has thickened up to an almost "jammy" consistency. Remove from heat; cool slightly before serving.
The chutney can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat slightly before serving, if desired.
This week, March 26-30, OnMilwaukee.com presents five Easter recipes in our Dining section. You'll have the opportunity, via this contest and courtesy of Roundy's, to win the ingredients to create each featured recipe.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
