fully- cooked ham, approximately 7-8 lbs (see notes below)
2 c pineapple juice
2 c brown sugar
1 1/2 tbs dijon mustard
1 1/2 tbs balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 tbs honey
2 tbs cornstarch
2 tbs water
Remove ham from packaging and discard any flavoring packet. If using a bone-in ham, check the end of the bone for a plastic cap and, if present, discard.
Pour the pineapple juice in bottom of a lg (6.5 to 8 qt), oval slow cooker.
In a med bowl, mix the brown sugar, dijon, balsamic vinegar, and honey into a paste. Spread brown sugar mixture all over ham and place, flat side down, in slow cooker.
Cover slow cooker with lid and set to LOW. Cook ham for 4-6 hours or until the meat is tender and the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees. If desired, flip and baste the ham halfway through cooking time and again about an hour before ham is done.
Once ham is done, remove to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm. Skim any fat and strain the juices from the crockpot into a saucepan. Place the pot on the stove over med heat and bring the juices to a simmer. In a small bowl, use a fork to stir the cornstarch into the water to make a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the pot while whisking the ham juices. Allow the mixture to bubble and thicken for a minute or two, stirring occasionally. If you desire a thicker sauce, you may stir in a bit more cornstarch slurry. Do not add straight cornstarch to the hot liquid or it will clump, and do not over stir the sauce once the cornstarch has been added or it may not thicken properly.
Serve the ham warm, with the sauce on the side or drizzled on top. If you prefer and oven-cooked ham effect, you may also glaze the entire ham with thickened sauce and pop it under the broiler for about 5 minutes (watch it closely!) before serving.
NOTE: YOU MAY USE A BONE-IN HAM (RECOMMENDED) OR BONELESS, WHOLE OR SPIRAL-CUT, CURED OR UNCURED, SMOKED OR NOT, BUTT, OR SHOULDER.
NOTE: TO DETERMINE NUMBER OF SERVINGS, ESTIMATE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 LB OF BONELESS HAM PER PERSON AND 3/4 LB OF BONE-IN HAM PER PERSON.
