Healthy Spiced Cherry Ham Glaze

Ham at Christmas time is a long standing tradition for many families. However, many traditional ham glazes are full of sugar, especially refined sugar. Made with real fruit, Christmas spices and free of re-fined sugar this recipe is a much healthier alternative for a ham glaze - and I think this also makes a wonderful hand-made Christmas gifts inside little jars with a pretty ribbon!

Ingredients:

400g fresh cherries (can also use tinned ones)

1 small red chilli (or 2 if you like the heat!)

1 tsp of cinnamon

1 and 1/2 tsp of Chinese Five Spice

3/4 Apple cider vinegar

1/2 c water

1-2 Tb of honey

Directions:

1. De-stalk and pit the cherries if using fresh ones.

2. Place all the ingredients into a saucepan and bring to the boil, reduce the heat and allow to simmer for approximately 15 minutes (until most of the water has evaporated and the spices are not raw).



3. Place everything into a food processor or use a stick blender and pulse to combine well (sometimes I drain a bit of the water away but it does not always need this).



4. Use straight away on a ham or place into jars and allow to cool before putting on the lid. This will keep in the fridge for a week or will also freeze well!


Tip - I find when glazing a ham it is really good to repeat several times when it is in the oven and to do a final glaze just before taking it out so you get that nice shiny look!





Hoping you all have a wonderful festive season,

xxx Dr Julie Bhosale