Party Ham is the name of the greatest cartoon character never invented. He’s the guy who bursts through the door, turns up the volume, jumps on a table, and proclaims that tonight is “THE BEST PARTY EVER.” And he’s right. Tonight is the best party ever—because party ham.

Luke Powell of Sydney’s LP’s Quality Meats won’t let you down with this recipe for maple-cured, apple wood–smoked shoulder ham that smacks of bacon.

It’s the kind of thing that takes advanced prep and some fooling round with sodium nitrate, but as he explains: “It is so good to have a smoked ham up your sleeve in case a party arises.”

RECIPE: Maple-Cured, Apple Wood-Smoked Shoulder Ham