Honey

Not all bees produce honey.  Those that do are called honey bees, duh!  The others just pollenate but don’t make the sweet fluid processed from flowering plants.  The color and flavor of each batch of honey are determined by the variety of plants that were sampled.

There are a number of health benefits to consuming honey like anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.  It is often used to treat coughs and can be applied topically to help wounds heal.  Just don’t give it to infants under the age of 1 year, since it could cause serious gastrointestinal difficulties.

• Honey Butter Syrup

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (2/3 cup) of raw honey
• ½ cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• pinch of salt

 

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients and whisk gently and melt.
• Serve over pancakes, waffles, etc.
• Store in a lidded jar

• Roasted Carrots

Ingredients:

• 1 pound carrots, peeled
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste

Sauce:

• 1 ½ tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon siracha
• 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
• salt to taste

 

Directions:

• Slice carrots into 2 inch pieces.  Toss with olive oil and spices.  Place on a sheet tray.
• Bake for 20 minutes in an oven preheated to 400 degrees; flip carrots and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a sauce pan, melt butter and add garlic.  Cook until fragrant.
• Add honey, siracha, and salt (optional).  Reduce heat and cook until smooth.
• Serve the carrots with sauce.

• Honey Ginger Glaze

Ingredients:

• 1 cup honey
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons minced or pressed garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• chopped scallions, sesame seeds, parsley, optional for garnish

 

Directions:

• Whisk honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.  
• Use as a marinade for chicken or salmon.
• Place in a sauce pan, bring to a boil, reduce heat and allow to thicken and simmer.  Use as a glaze.

• Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter, room temperature
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup buttermilk
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Directions:

• Mix together flour, baking powder and salt.
• Separately mix together buttermilk, honey, and vanilla.
• Beat butter and sugar until combined.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well so they are fully incorporated
• Gradually, alternate adding wet and dry ingredients, ending with dry.
• Scoop into a prepared muffin pan.
• Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for about 18 to 20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Allow to rest 5 minutes and finish cooling on a wire rack

 

• Honey Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup butter, room temperature
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups confectioners sugar
• 3 tablespoons honey
• food coloring, optional
• sprinkles, optional

 

Directions:

• Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth.  
• Gradually add confectioners sugar.  Mix in honey.

• Bee’s Knees Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 2 ounces gin
• lemon for garnish

 

Directions:

• Combine honey and water in a microwave-safe bowl, or in a small saucepan.  Warm ingredients just until completely combined.
• Fill cocktail shaker with ice.  Pour in honey mixture, lemon juice, and gin.  Shake until very cold.
• Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon peel or slice.

• Honey Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 stick butter, melted
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon white cornmeal
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¾ cup honey
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• soft sea salt for garnish, optional

 

Directions:

• In a medium bowl, stir butter, sugar, cornmeal, salt, and vanilla.
• Add in honey.  Add eggs one at a time.  Add heavy cream and vinegar.
• Strain through a fine mesh directly into an unbaked, prepared pie shell.
• Bake in an oven preheated to 375 for 45 to 50 minutes, rotating 180 degrees when edges start to set, about half way through the baking.
• Allow to cool completely, about 2 or 3 hours.

• Gingerbread

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 ¼ teaspoon ginger
• 1 ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup shortening
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup cold tea

 

Directions:

• Sift together flour, baking soda, and spices.
• Cream together shortening and brown sugar.
• Beat in egg and honey.
• Add tea and flour mixture.
• Pour into greased pans to not more than half the capacity.
• Bake in an oven preheated to 350 for 20 minutes or until cooked through.