12/05/07

 Honey should always be left at room temperature.  It needs no refrigeration, pasteurization, or homogenization! Honey never goes bad. If  it crystallizes, just put the jar in warm water to break down the crystals. It should not be heated to more than 120° F, or else it breaks down to much and kills good enzymes and anti-oxidants.

Honey comes from about 300 different sources in the US.  Because of this , it can vary in color depending upon the blossoms that the honey bees visits while searching  for nectar. Typically, lighter colors are more mild.  Honey that is darker, is stronger in flavor.

This is a list of some interesting ways to add some honey to foods. I've included some things you've got to try.

		PB and H	I have to give credit for this one to a nine year old - Blake Nemeth. He taught me this trick in China when we were visiting his parents a few years ago. Spread the Peanut Butter on one half of a sandwich. Drizzle Pure Local Honey on top of the Peanut butter.  Close up the sandwich, enjoy with Ice Cold Milk.
		Honey Butter	Melt butter in microwave, let it cool a bit, add room temperature honey in equal amounts to the butter.  Add to hot popcorn and add salt.  A good sweet  'n salty mix  that I gobble up.
		Toast Treat	Mix Room temperature honey, butter and a pinch of cinnamon together. Spread over toast, English muffins or scones/biscuits.
		Cream Cheese Frosting	Beat 8 oz of cream cheese at room temperature, until smooth. Add 1/3 cup of honey in a fine stream while beating. Add 1 tsp. of pure vanilla if desired.
		Barbecue Sauce	This is good marinade for chicken, pork or beef. Mix all ingredients together, pour over the meat and chill covered overnight. 3 Tbs fresh lemon juice 2 Tbs chopped onion 2 Tbs honey 1 Tbs ground coriander 1/4 tsp ground pepper 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/8 cayenne pepper 1/4 cup of soy sauce
		Banana Applesauce Bread	1 cup of honey (light in color) 2 eggs 2 cups of flour 3 bananas (ripe and mashed) 1/2 cup shortening 1 tsp. baking soda 1 cup applesauce (Natural or with cinnamon) Optional: 1/2 cup nuts and/or golden raisins cream honey and shortening. add eggs and beat well. Add soda and flour  and nuts/raisins. Blend together well. Fold in applesauce and bananas.  Bake in a greased loaf pan for 1 hr at 325° F.