Roasted Ham with Lotus Root

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the ham cubes dry with paper towels and season them with salt and pepper on all sides.

   Tip: Drying the ham helps it develop a nice crust when roasted.

2. 2

   In a small bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and fresh thyme to create the glaze.

   Tip: The glaze can be made up to 2 hours ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

3. 3

   Toss the lotus root slices with 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on one half of a large baking sheet in a single layer.

   Tip: Arrange lotus root in a single layer for even roasting and maximum crispness.

4. 4

   Arrange the ham cubes on the other half of the baking sheet. Drizzle the remaining 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil over the ham pieces.

   Tip: Keeping ham and lotus root on separate sides allows for different cooking times if needed.

5. 5

   Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 15 minutes until the lotus root begins to soften and turn golden at the edges.

6. 6

   Remove the sheet from the oven, stir both the ham and lotus root, and brush the glaze generously over the ham pieces.

   Tip: Stir the lotus root to ensure even browning on all sides.

7. 7

   Return to the oven and roast for an additional 20-25 minutes until the ham is caramelized and the lotus root is tender and crispy with golden edges.

   Tip: The ham should develop a light brown crust and the lotus root should be fork-tender.

8. 8

   Remove from the oven and let rest for 3 minutes. Drizzle any remaining glaze from the pan over the roasted vegetables and ham, then garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

   Tip: Resting allows the flavors to meld together before serving.