Cola Christmas Ham

Step 1: Remove the skin from the ham.

Step 2: Score ham in a criss-cross pattern.

Step 3: Place in a saucepan large enough to fit ham completely and add Coca-Cola, filling saucepan until ham is almost completely covered.

Step 4: Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer.

Step 5: Simmer for approximately 2 hours until Coca-Cola reduces by at least half.

Step 6: Cover and leave to sit in reduced coke mixture.

Step 7: Preheat oven to 180C.

Step 8: Place ham in baking tray and place cloves in criss-crossed grooves.

Step 9: Bake for 20 minutes or until ham warms through and is crisp on the outside.

Step 10: Serve hot or cold.

Step 11: NOTES - You can also use shoulder ham and you can do the ham early in the morning and then leave it to sit in the reduced coke all day (before baking) for a stronger flavour, though if you are rushed for time it doesn't need to sit.

Step 12: For those wanting a sweet, glaze finish (like Nigella's original recipe, coat the ham in approximately 2 tablespoons of treacle, 1 tablespoon of dry mustard powder and 1 teaspoon of demerara sugar before baking and cover with foil and cook for 10 minutes to warm through, then remove foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes approximately and ham is ready when treacle bubbles.