One night last November, I had a gang of friends coming for dinner, and a giant Brady Family glazed ham in the oven. As the first arrivals came through the door, they brought with them the first cataclysmic news of the dioxin scare. What to do? Well, the ham smelled so delicious, glazed with brown sugar, cloves and mustard, that we ate it anyway, and were none the worse for it.
I wish I had known, when it was my turn to host First Communion and Confirmation parties, about these great big, bountiful hams, cooked on the bone, but so easy to carve as the femur bone is removed. They come ready to eat, but can be gently reheated in the oven. The big version (€60), weighs between 4.5kg and 5.5kg and will serve up to 50 guests. A smaller size costs €30 and feeds about 30 guests. They are available to order from deli counters at branches of SuperValu nationwide (allow five days for delivery), or direct from Brady Family in Donadea, Naas, Co Kildare, tel: 045-863650, or see www.bradyfamily.ie.