Cooking a ham can be a delightful experience, especially when you follow some straightforward steps to make it both easy and delicious. 

First things first, place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan, making sure the sliced side is facing down. 

But don’t forget to preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Once preheated, pop it in the oven and let it heat up for about 13 minutes per pound. 

Now, you’ve got options. You can either use the ham right away or stash it in the freezer for later. 

The frozen ham will stay good for up to a whole year, giving you the flexibility to enjoy it whenever you please.

You can either go with the ham glaze that comes with it or get creative with some sauce recipes.

Riley Kiesewetter chose to use the honey glaze. 

“I choose to make a ham because it has always been a favorite of mine since I was little. I’m also not a big fan of turkey so ham kind of replaces it,” Kiesewetter said.

 If you’re into the glaze, take the ham out of the oven 30 minutes before it’s done. Then, in a small saucepan, mix the glaze with 4 teaspoons of warm water. 

Heat it up until it starts to boil while stirring constantly. 

Be careful because the glaze burns easily. 

Once it’s ready, use a brush to generously spread the glaze over the warm ham. If you like it thicker, wait 4 to 5 minutes before gently brushing on another layer. 

Pop the glazed ham back in the oven at 250 degrees for 25-30 minutes, take it out, and get ready to savor your delicious creation. 

For the sides Rilee West chose mashed potatoes. 

“Mashed potatoes has always been my favorite side. Every time I go home my mom makes it for me and I will never get sick of eating it,” West said.

Start by peeling and chopping potatoes into even chunks. 

Boil them until fork-tender, then drain. 

Mash with a potato masher or use a mixer for a smoother texture. 

Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper to taste, blending until creamy.

 Feel free to get creative with add-ins like garlic, gravy, or cheese. 

Serve these fluffy mashed potatoes as the perfect accompaniment to any meal.