Russian Style Baked Fresh Ham (Buzhenina) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (8 -10 lb) fresh ham
1/3 cup Dijon mustard
1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
salt, to taste
1 cup beer
1 cup apple cider
3 cloves
2 bay leaves
fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Using a sharp knife, score the skin of the ham in a diamond oattern.
Mix together the mustard, brown sugar, and salt and spread all over the ham.
Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan, add the remaining ingredients, and roast, basting with the juices, until a meat thermometer reads 170 degrees F or the juices run clear when you insert a skewer into the thickest part of the roast, about 3 hours.
Let the roast stand, covered with foil. for 15 minutes.
Carve into thin slices and serve with gravy, if desired.