Simple Slow Cooker Easter Ham Dinner

I did my Easter dinner yesterday (Saturday), and I must say that it went very well.

As I was only having family round, and knowing that my family are not adventurous eaters, I opted for a simple, traditional ham served with mashed potatoes, cream style corn and broccoli. Très simple.

However, I'd never cooked a ham before, and my family tended to always cook a boneless (not so delicious) ham that comes out more like cold cut deli meat. I did not want this at all, and so I did some research and bought a lovely bone-in ham that some people call picnic ham.

My mother nor my brother ever cooks this kind of ham, as they said it can be really salty. I say, they just didn't have a good one, because my ham came out amazing.

Slow-Cooker Ham Recipe

Ham About to be Cooked

• 6 or 7 lb bone-in ham (very important, it needs to have a bone! This gives the ham fat and flavour).
• 2 cups of brown sugar, separated
• 1 398 ml (14 oz) can of Dole pineapple rings in juice (not in syrup, and be sure to get the rings).
• toothpicks to pin the pineapple rings to the ham
• large slow cooker

Spread half of the brown sugar on the bottom of the slow cooker. Place ham with the flat side down in the cooker. Rub the rest of the brown sugar on the exposed ham. If you can't get your fingers all around, then rub the ham down with brown sugar before putting it into the slow cooker. 

Place pineapple rings all around the ham, using toothpicks to secure it.

Drizzle about 1/4 cup of the pineapple juice over the ham (not really necessary, but I did and it was yummy).

Set the slow cooker on low for eight hours.

When ready, remove the ham, place it on a cutting board. Use scissors to cut the mesh bag off (yes, there is actually a bag on this ham. I didn't know it either!).

Slice the ham, place on a platter, surrounded by pineapple rings. Voila!

The Rest of the Dinner:

Mashed potatoes - peel, rinse and cut the potatoes into quarters or so (this helps them boil faster). Place in a pot, and let boil for about half an hour to 45 minutes, until they can be easily pierced with a fork.

Drain the water, put potatoes back in the pot. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of butter, a dash of milk, and a sprinkle of oregano. Mash to your heart's content!

Tip: If you like potatoes really smooth and creamy, use more butter and milk, if less, use less milk and butter. Also, oregano is my secret ingredient. Everyone likes my mashed potatoes.

Corn - open a can of Green Giant Cream Corn. Heat in a pot. Serve over the top of mashed potatoes.

Broccoli - Open a bag of Arctic Gardens Broccoli Florets. Place them in a large bowl, then add water to about half-full. Microwave for 2 minutes, or longer if needed/ desired.

Oh - I also served my favourite Plain and Simple Salad as a starter, and this was very well received!