Cherry Port Glaze Cooks Illustrated Recipes

CHERRY AND PORT GLAZED HAM

Steps:

• Stir the cornstarch and stock in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth.
• Heat the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in the allspice and cook for 30 seconds.
• Increase the heat to medium-high. Stir the wine, cherries and brown sugar in the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cook until the mixture is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
• Stir the cornstarch mixture in the skillet. Cook and stir until the mixture boils and thickens.
• Place the oven bag into a large roasting pan at least 2 inches deep. Place the ham into the oven bag. Pour the cherry glaze over the ham. Close the oven bag with the nylon tie. Cut 6 (1/2-inch) slits in the top of the oven bag. Tuck the ends of the bag under to seal.
• Bake at 250°F. for 1 1/2 hours or until the ham is heated through. Remove the ham from the oven bag to a serving platter. Spoon some of the cherry glaze over the ham. Serve the remaining cherry glaze with the ham.
• • Make-Ahead: The cherry glaze can be made in advance. Prepare as directed and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat the glaze in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat until heated through, stirring occasionally. Serve with the ham as directed above.
• With Swanson Chicken Stock:
• Serving size 1 serving;
• Calories 189;
• Total Fat 6g;
• Saturated Fat 2g;
• Cholesterol 49mg;
• Sodium 1200mg;
• Total Carbohydrate 9g;
• Dietary Fiber 0g;
• Protein 22g

CHERRY GLAZED PORK CHOPS WITH SMASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Position an oven rack 5 to 6 inches below the heat source and preheat the broiler to high.
• Pierce the potatoes all over with a fork. Put the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate with 2 tablespoons water and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave until tender, about 10 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.
• Carefully uncover, drain the potatoes and transfer them to a baking sheet. Top with 2 tablespoons olive oil and half the chopped thyme. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Smash each potato by pressing down with a metal spatula until it flattens. Set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Sear until golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes, then flip and cook until golden brown on the second side, about 2 minutes more (the pork chops will not be cooked through at this point). Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Add the shallot, dried cherries and the remaining thyme and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and 1/4 cup water and simmer until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the cherry jam and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• Transfer 2 tablespoons of the glaze and the remaining 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar to a large bowl and whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil to make a vinaigrette. Set aside.
• Broil the potatoes until warm and golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Stir 2 tablespoons water into the remaining glaze in the skillet and bring to a simmer over high heat. Add the pork chops and any juices that have accumulated on the plate and turn over several times to coat with glaze. Return the pan to the oven and broil until the glaze is bubbly and thick and the pork chops are cooked through, about 2 minutes. (The pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F when measured with an instant-read thermometer.)
• Meanwhile, add the salad greens to the bowl with the dressing and toss to coat. Transfer the pork chops to a serving dish and pour the remaining glaze on top. Serve with the smashed potatoes and salad.

CHERRY & PORT GLAZED HAM

Steps:

• 1. Stir the cornstarch and stock in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth.
• 2. Heat the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in the allspice and cook for 30 seconds.
• 3. Increase the heat to medium-high. Stir the wine, cherries and brown sugar in the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cook until the mixture is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
• 4. Stir the cornstarch mixture in the skillet. Cook and stir until the mixture boils and thickens.
• 5. Place the oven bag into a large roasting pan at least 2 inches deep. Place the ham into the oven bag. Pour the cherry glaze over the ham. Close the oven bag with the nylon tie. Cut 6 (1/2-inch) slits in the top of the oven bag. Tuck the ends of the bag under to seal.
• 6. Bake at 250°F. for 1 1/2 hours or until the ham is heated through. Remove the ham from the oven bag to a serving platter. Spoon some of the cherry glaze over the ham. Serve the remaining cherry glaze with the ham.