Demerara Baked Ham

5½ -7¼kg/12-16lb ham
2 onions, quartered
a few cloves
a few black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
4 tbsp English mustard
225g/8oz demerara sugar
300ml/½pint chicken stock

Soak the ham overnight in cold water

Place the soaked ham in a large pan, with the onions, cloves, peppercorns and bay leaf.

Cover with water, bring to the boil and skim off any impurities.

Leave the ham to simmer, allowing 20 minutes per 450g(1lb).

Pre-heat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5.

Once cooked, remove the ham from the pan and stand for 10-15 minutes before peeling away the skin.

Score the fat, creating a diamond pattern.

Brush the ham with mustard and sprinkle well with the demerara sugar.

Bake the ham for 30-40 minutes taking care to baste the ham with juices and the caramelised sugar.

Once golden, remove from the oven and rest for 15-30 minutes before carving, or leave until cold.

To make gravy, pour the chicken stock into the roasting pan to lift any residue in the pan and simmer for 15 minutes and strain.