Coca-Cola Basted Ham

I've been doing a little research on the southern tradition of the Coca-Cola basted ham.  There are a number of different methods, it seems, but one consistency is that cola makes a wonderful ham.  This recipe from the Food Network's Paula Deen is simpler than many and has 5-star reviews.  Reviewers said it is the best ham they've ever had.  If you have an Easter ham sitting in your fridge and you're wondering just how you're going to prepare it, take a look at this recipe.  If you have a smaller ham, just reduce the rest of the ingredients proportionately.

Ingredients


•1 (18-pound) cured ham
•2 (12-ounce) cans cola (NOT diet)
•Canned pineapple rings
•Brown sugar
•Maraschino cherries
•Cloves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Place ham in a shallow roasting pan. Baste the ham with cola. With toothpicks, stick some pineapple rings on the ham, about 4 or 5 rings. Sprinkle some brown sugar on the rings. With toothpicks, place a cherry in each pineapple ring hole and then stick some cloves in the rings. Cover it with foil. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes per pound of ham, or until the ham reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. Baste with cola about every 30 minutes during cooking.

Original Recipe and Photo: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/cola-basted-ham-recipe/index.html