But have you ever wondered why we need to cook hams for so long? Well, it's because piggy here has some tough connective tissue that needs to be broken down, and that takes time - and heat. The collagen in the meat needs to dissolve, making the ham nice and tender, and that's exactly what happens when you cook it for the right amount of time - voilà, magic!
And don't even get me started on the glaze - oh, the glaze! It's like the icing on the cake, or should I say, the brown sugar on the ham. You can't just slap any old glaze on there, no sir, you need to make sure it's nice and caramelized, adding that perfect sweet and sticky flavor to your masterpiece. So, take your time, and make sure that glaze is on point - your taste buds will thank you!
How Long To Cook A Ham Per Pound | How to cook ham, Ham cooking time
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "But what about slow cookers? Can't I just toss the ham in there and let it cook all day?" Well, technically yes, you can - but don't expect it to be as tender as a ham that's been cooked in the oven. The slow cooker will do the job, but it's not the same as a nice, low-and-slow roast in the oven - that's just ham heaven!