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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Finnish Mustard & Baked Ham w/ Brown Sugar Bread Crumb Crust

When I was little, I didn't like mayonnaise.  It was mustard all the way.  Everyday in my lunch I had a bologna and cheese sandwich with mustard and Doritos (for smooshing in the sandwich).  And yes, it was by choice.  I requested it.  Now, as I got older, I learned to like mayonnaise and for a few years, I even abandoned mustard for the most part.  I'm not sure what was happening with me then, but one day I must have decided it was time to get back to the good stuff...cuz it's mustard all the way for me again.  The great thing about mustard is that there are so many varieties.  And I can find an occasion for all of them.  When I went to Michigan State, we had this awesome bagel place called Bagel Fragel.  The days when I had class fairly close to Grand River, I'd run across the street between classes and get the same sandwich.  Every time.  Do you sense a trend...when I find something I like, I hold on to it tight.  Anyhoo... It was an everything bagel with smoked turkey and swiss.  They'd run it through the toasting oven and then slather on a healthy dose of Honeycup Mustard...which is sharp and hot and sweet underneath...and so flippin' good.  I haven't forgotten that sandwich and it's been at least 15 years since the last time I had one.

So.  Mustard.  I saw Sue make this last week.  And then I saw Kim post it the same day that I actually made it.  It's like a  trend...and a fabulous one...that I couldn't help but grabbing on to!  I tried figuring out what made it "Finnish", but to no avail, really.  Origins in Finland is my guess, but...?  I love the smooth, creaminess imparted from using heavy cream.  It's also slightly sweet against the hot twang of the mustard powder.  I imagine it would be just as delicious if you used a mild mustard powder.  I decided to double the batch so that I could make a ham with it and have extra left over for slathering on the ham when I stuck it in a sandwich, or for eating with salami or sausage, and probably most of all for using with my favorite late-night snack: pretzels dipped in mustard.  Oh yeah.  That's become a Wednesday night ritual for me.  Watching one of my newest guilty pleasures, Revenge whilst dipping crunchy pretzels into mustard.  Good stuff, baby.  Good stuff.
Finnish Mustard
yield: ~2-2½ c.

⅔ c. Hot Mustard Powder
1 c. Superfine Sugar
2 tsp. Sea Salt
2 c. Heavy Cream
2 Tbs. Olive Oil
¼ c. unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
juice of a lemon

Whisk together the mustard powder, sugar, and salt in a small bowl to combine and get rid of any lumps.

Place in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan with remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to a slow, steady simmer until the color has become darker and the liquid has thickened, stirring often.  This should take about 10-15 minutes.  

Let it cool a bit, stirring from time to time.  Pour into sterilized glass jars (shorter w/ a wider mouth makes it easier when it comes time to  use it).  Refrigerate.

Baked Ham with Mustard & Brown Sugar Bread Crumbs
serves: 8

6-7 lb. Smoked Ham, bone-in
½ c. Panko Bread crumbs
¼ c. brown sugar, firmly packed
~1⅓ c. Finnish Mustard
handful of whole cloves

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Place ham, "cut" side down in a roasting pan.  Slather the outside with the mustard.  Combine bread crumbs and brown sugar, smooshing it all together well.  Coat the ham with the brown sugar-bread crumb mixture, pushing with your hands to help the mustard hold it on.   Push as many cloves in as you would like, forming diamond-like patterns.

Slide into preheated oven and bake for about 1½ hours. 

Turn heat up to 400° F.  Bake for another 30-45 minutes, or until the outside looks golden and crusty.  Let cool before slicing.  Serve with more Finnish Mustard.  Awesome with some tangy sourdough bread, as well.

both recipes adapted from: Falling Cloudberries by Tessa Kiros
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Would you like to comment?

  1. I could definitely go for some of that ham, around about now!

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  2. I need a slice of that ham...
    I love mustard, in fact, I'm currently eating a Turkish Stuffed Bell Pepper, and the flavor is less than lackluster.  My first thought was "A little mustard would help" my second thought was "damn, I'm at work, and there's no freakin' mustard!"  So, I added more salt...sigh.  Anyway, definitely making the mustard, and I'm so making that ham!

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  3. That brown sugar crumbs encrusted ham looks dang sexy! Thank you for sharing the homemade mustard too.

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  4. Yum! Thank goodness for yummy sandwiches!

    http://www.thegirlieblog.com

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  5. Oh my gosh now I have to do this.  We like mustard on our Brussels Sprouts, this would be perfect. Do you know how long this keeps?  

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  6. I've been bookmarking this mustard all over the place too!!  I've got to try it!

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  7. josé manuel martín fernándezDecember 28, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    Divina preparación, me encanta

    Feliz año

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  8. The crust on that ham is awe-inspiring...very nice!

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  9. Wish i could take a bite of that scrumptious looking sandwich. Mustard and ham are a great combo...

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  10. You know what, Sue?  I don't.  I'm sorry.  I was wondering the same thing, but unfortunately the book that I found it in didn't say.  I'm guessing the vinegar will help it keep for a bit, but it also has cream, so...?  If it lasts long enough to start seeming "off", I'll let you know!

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  11. I am all about mustard. Hold the mayo always. And pass me that divine ham! Pretty please...

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  12. I've actually never  been a mayo or mustard person...and it's gotten to the point that I'm pretty sure I never will be. Except for honey dijon dressing/sauce. I love that.  Crazy since I'm pretty sure most varieties have both mustard AND mayo in them.  Engimatic.  I love the sound of the sweet salty ham with the mustard though!

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  13. I was totally the other way...mayo and not mustard, but this woulda changed my mind real quick.

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  14. I love mustard too (and Doritos... sshhh). :) I'm pretty sure the majority of my recipes contain mustard. Anyway, yours sounds great!

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  15. Hi Heather,  that ham sounds absolutely delicious.  Thanks so much for sharing and Happy New Year.  I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often.  Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also.  Have a wonderful day.  Hugs, Chrishttp://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/

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  16. Looks marvellous and delicious..

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  17. Hola! this recipe is just DELICIOUS!! I have, I must make it! I live in this town in Spain which is like a "finnish colony", this would be a perfect gift for my friends all homemade!
    Thanks Heather!

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  18. *Love* mustard. I'm going to give this a try :) Happy new Year!

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  19. Oh my, this looks wonderful! You're making my mouth water!

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  20. Oh my gosh, Heather, I know I will always find something fantastic when I come to visit.  I LOVE homemade mustard and glazed, baked ham, and that sandwich...made in heaven. Scrumptious post!  Happy New Year!

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  21. i'm thinking the mustard is pretty much heaven once placed on the ham sandwich. awesome.

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  22.  I'm a mustard girl myself too; bottled mayonaise tastes kind of strange to me. And what a gorgeous ham!

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  23. My brother in law is Finnish-Mexican. It's an interesting blend of cultures! I tried homemade Finnish Mustard a couple of years ago and it was amazing. I'm looking forward to trying your recipe out. It sounds delicious.

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  24. Wow, now that is one awesome looking ham sandwich!  I love the looks of the breadcrumbs on the ham. And, by the way, Revenge is one of my favorite shows this year too.

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  25. oh wow, i just love this, what a match made in heaven.  i have got to try that mustard.  if this isn't the perfect holiday meal, i don't know what is.

    i hope your christmas was wonderful!!

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  26. Oh that looks absolutely beautiful! I bet it looks as good as it looks.

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  27. That ham sandwich looks wonderful Heather.  I didn't make Ham this year and now regretting the "no-sandwich" thing.  I made mustard this year for gifts so I'm all interested in mustard recipes.  Will have to try this one.

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  28.  If that isn't the most delicious ham I've ever laid eyes on then I don't know what is!I was a mustard hater until a few years ago - I blame it on ucky yellow
    mustard - the only mustard we ever had in our fridge growing up. This is one I could get into.

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  29. I didn't like mustard when I was a kid, but I love it now. This variation sounds really good, especially on that ham! :)

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  30. Hi Heather,
    Oh my gosh, I ate mustard sandwiches when I was a kid and it is still one of my comfort foods. Your ham looks delicious, I am going to sure be trying this recipe. Thanks for sharing and wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year and Abundant Blessings in 2012!
    Miz Helen

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  31. I'm so pleased that you made this, and I love that you used it to bake your Christmas ham - I also love your touch of using panko breadcrumbs on your ham - I never would have thought of that.  I need to make this mustard again, since I gave all of mine away as gifts and didn't keep any for myself!  Think I'll make a double batch next time.  Thanks for the shout-out :-)
    Best wishes for a joyful New Year.
    Sue xo

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  32. so...what you are saying is that you made dulce de leche but kinda savory---with mustard? be.still.my.heart.  this sounds so amazing...kinda makes me want to buy a ham just so i can make this.  YUM!

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  33. Bagel Fragel? Love it! I have spent my life wandering back and forth between mustard and mayonnaise and happily in France Maille sells a jarred mustard mayonnaise so we can have both at once! But what you make here - Finnish Mustard? Is simply fabulous! Heavy cream? I love this and can just imagine it on a ham or turkey sandwich!!

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  34. Oh! I didn't think of it like that. But YES. See?  Irresistible!

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  35. Oh my, looks wonderful! I am totally stealing that sammie.

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  36. Natashya Kitchen PuppiesDecember 30, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    Oh my, looks wonderful! And I am totally stealing that sammie.. :-)

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  37. OMG!  You made your own mustard???  Is there anything you can't make??? :)  


    I love mustard.  It was the only kind of dipping sauce I wanted with my chicken nuggets or rotisserie chicken when I was a kid.  Oh and Doritos smooshed in a ham sandwich is still one  of my favorites. :)  
    Now pass me some of that ham.  

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  38. LOL, thanks Chica! =) I love dipping chicken strips in honey mustard, too...mmmmm...

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  39. Thank you, Miz Helen- I wish you the same!

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  40. Thanks so much, Cathy! Happy New Year to you, too =)

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  41. That mustard is fantastic! I have always been a mustard girl  :) The ham looks wonderful as well!

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  42. This mustard has gotten such great reviews--I think I am going to have to try it. Love how it looks on that ham and the sandwich looks amazing. ;-)

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  43. happy new year adore your recipes and blog big hugs 

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  44. I feel the same way about you- xoxo and Happy New Year!

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  45. OMG! I need to have a taste of that beautiful ham! Your mustard recipe is exquisite. Gotta to try it since I'm a mustard kinda' girl. LOL! Happy new Year! Glad to have stumbled into your blog :)

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