3 lbs. smoked ham, butt end
1 tbsp. cooking oil
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 1/2 c. dry white wine or water
3 lg. onions, quartered
4 whole cloves
3 whole allspice
2 pieces star anise (optional)
1 tbsp. dried thyme leaves
Baked potatoes
Green peas

Preparation:

1. Trim excess fat off ham. Heat oil in heavy casserole with lid; add garlic. Brown ham on all sides for 2 minutes.

2. Add wine or water, onions, cloves, allspice, anise and thyme. Cover and simmer for 1 hour or bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours until ham is tender.

3. Put ham onto heated platter, keep warm. Remove bone. Slice the ham.

4. Put cooked onions along with juices into blender or food processor with steel blade in place. Process until pureed. Return to casserole, heat to boiling. If there are a lot of juices, cook down until sauce is the consistency of applesauce.

5. Slice ham. Serve with baked or mashed potatoes and cooked green peas.

TIPS: This dish can easily be made a day in advance; simply reheat sliced ham in sauce before serving.