Honey is a natural sweetener that is nectar from flowers made, most commonly, by honey bees. It comes in a variety of colors, with the flavor and texture varying, depending on the flower used.
HOW TO SELECT AND STORE
Honey is sometimes pasteurized, but the highest quality will be raw. Look for "100% pure" honey that is clean and clear. In general, the darker the color of honey, the deeper its flavor. Store honey in an airtight container at room temperature and free of moisture. Too cold of temperatures and it may harden and crystallize faster; too warm and it may darken and get an altered taste.
A LITTLE HERE, A LITTLE THERE
Spread some ricotta cheese on toast with a drizzle of honey for breakfast or a snack.
Grind nuts for a few minutes and add honey at the end to make your own flavored peanut butter.
Make Elvis Presley's famous grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich even better with a smear of honey.
REMEMBER!
Do not give honey to children under 12 months of age. Its spores can cause botulism, a potentially fatal illness, in a child because their digestive systems are not matured yet.
HOW TO PREPARE AND COOK
It is perfectly natural for honey to crystallize if it's been sitting for a while. To return it to a liquid, place the container in hot water for 15 minutes or in the microwave without a lid, stirring at 30-second intervals to prevent it from scorching - be sure it doesn't boil. Honey can replace sugar in most recipes. Because it absorbs and retains so much moisture, it's great for baked goods but a few alterations need to be made:
Honey is sweeter than sugar so you do not need as much if it - may be 50-75 percent of the amount of sugar
With honey naturally being composed of water, reduce the liquid in your recipes by about one-fifth
Foods will brown faster so reduce your oven temperature by 25 degrees F
Add a pinch of baking soda to your recipe to help balance the acidity.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
While honey is not a rich source of nutrients, it is a clean, natural way to sweeten foods with less overall sugar and calories. It has been shown to have benefits beyond eating as it's been used as an antiseptic for healing cuts; for beauty and skincare; and to help reduce issues such as diarrhea, indigestion, and inflammation - where the idea of taking a spoonful to heal a sore throat came from! Also, because of it being a source of carbohydrates, it's a great energy booster as it's absorbed quickly by the body.
RECIPE
Ingredients
1 bunch fresh spinach
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1/2 cup toasted or raw pecans or walnuts
1/4 cup sliced red onion
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Combine spinach, strawberries, Gorgonzola cheese, nuts, and red onion in a large bowl. Stir balsamic #vinegar and #honey together in a bowl; slowly stream oil into the mixture while whisking continuously. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.