Dr Pepper Glazed Ham with Prunes

Most smoked hams are sold fully cooked, so "why bake them again?" meat expert Bruce Aidells asks, before answering his own question: to improve the texture and add a homemade glaze — in this case, one made with Dr Pepper soda and prunes — for extra flavor. After the ham is cooked, Aidells reduces the pan juices and tosses in prunes to make a sauce. "Glazes flavor only the outside of the ham," he says. "But you can spoon pan sauces over every slice."