Cider & Pear Ham

Ingredients

• 2.2 lbs. 1 kg Quebec toupie ham
• 1 tbsp. 15 mL oil
• 1 tbsp. 15 mL butter
• 1 large onion, cut into 8 sections
• 4 carrots, peeled and cut in half lengthwise or 8 small coloured Nantes carrots
• 2 stalks celery, cut into 1 in. (2.5 cm) chunks
• 2 pears, unpeeled and cut into 6 wedges each
• 1 sprig fresh thyme or 1 tsp. (5 mL) dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• ¾ cup 180 mL cider
• ½ cup 125 mL pear juice (or apple juice)
• ½ cup 125 mL maple syrup
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste