Cider & Pear Ham

Ingredients

• 2,2 lb 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 2.5 cm (1 in.) chunks
• 2 pears, unpeeled and cut into 6 wedges each
• 1 sprig fresh thyme or 5 ml (1 tsp.) dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 3/4 cup 180 ml cider
• 1/2 cup 125 ml pear juice (or apple juice)
• 1/2 cup 125 ml maple syrup
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste