Beautiful Day

New Beginnings

(Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)

With each sunrise, we are given a chance for a new beginning.  A time to look around, take it all in, be grateful for what you have and embrace the new day. 

What a great time to be with family and friends.  I always say that you should "celebrate your success".  So, take time today to celebrate this day with the ones you love and look to tomorrow and all that it brings. 

We are celebrating today with a great recipe for a smokey glazed ham, some beautiful music and a the perfect wine pairing for you to enjoy. 

The Pots Are On...

The Plate...  

Maple-Jack / Glazed Ham

This is the most awesome and easiest things you can cook (smoke) on your grill.  The ham is already cooked, so you're really just heating/smoking it slowly to enrich the flavor.  I'm here to tell you that it is some kind of good.  The Maple syrup and Jack Daniels glaze will give it an awesome crust just like a "Honey-Baked" ham.  And, the Maple syrup injection will keep it moist and sweet. 

I think you're gonna like it.  And... nothing is easier than cooking something low and slow that you never have to touch.  

Okay... let's get started.  

What you need... 

For the Ham - 

10-12 lb cooked, ready to eat spiral cut ham

1/2 cup Maple syrup

Cherry or Apple wood chips

Meat injection syringe

For the glaze - 

2 tbs Maple syrup

2 tbs fresh ground pepper

2 tbs Dijon Mustard

1 tbs Jack Daniel's Whiskey

1 tbs vegetable oil

1 tbs smoked paprika

1 tbs onion powder

1 tbs chili powder

1 tsp Kosher salt

What you do...

Preparation (the Day Before) - 

Place the ham in a pan face-down. 

Inject the ham with 3/4 cup of Maple syrup (it will run out of the sides by inject it all)

Put together all the ingredients of the glaze and smear all over the exposed surface of the ham (except the flat side).

Cover loosely with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator. 

Cooking (the Day Of) - 

Set your grill with hot side and cool side  (total temp. 250)

If you have a Big Green Egg - set temp to 250 degrees place plate setter leg side up with regular grid on top.

Place wood chips on top of coals. 

Place ham on top of grate (flat side down).

Cook until internal temp reaches 140 degrees (about 5 hours).

The Playlist...

Beautiful Day

A little "Happy" music for you to help celebrate this beautiful day.  Check out "Oh Happy Day" by Queen Latifah... now it doesn't get much better than that.  

One of my favorites from the last couple of years is "The Sound of Sunshine" by Michael Franti & Spearhead.  If your having a bad day, this will help turn it around. 

Don't worry... be happy!

("The Playlist" runs on Spotify. Don't have Spotify?... Click here it's free )

The Bar...

The Perfect Wine Pairing - 

Belle Glos Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is french for "pine and black"; the pine alluding to the grapes being tightly clustered in a pine-cone shape.

It's a great wine to pair with a light flavored meat like pork, chicken or ham; light tannins with strawberry, cherry and raspberry notes. 

It will be great with your "Maple-Jack Smoked Ham"!

Every day is a new beginning...

Take a deep breath and celebrate!