Honey is a pantry staple in almost every home across the country. But for many, it sits unused for much of the year until a sore throat or cough develops. Honey is one of the most versatile ingredients to use in recipes and as such, local raw honey is tremendously under-utilized on a day-to-day basis.
Honey can add a natural sweetness to both sweet and savory recipes. Different honey varieties lend themselves to use in different ways, as honey’s flavor varies greatly from region to region based on the flora native to the region and the time of year. In Charleston, the local raw honey has a vibrant, yet mild sweet flavor that lends itself to use in both savory and sweet dishes.
Honey is one of those “secret” ingredients commonly used by restaurant chefs to elevate dishes. Some of the best recipes to incorporate Charleston raw honey into to add pizzazz to meal time are the following:
Sweet and Spicy Vinaigrette. Homemade salad dressings are one of the things that can make a world of difference in the enjoyment of salads at home. There is nothing wrong with store bought, but when looking to elevate a nice dinner at home, a homemade salad dressing is a fantastic way to start the meal. As an added bonus, the ingredients are staples in most homes already. Try this easy recipe at home:
- 7 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Apis Mercantile Southern Wildflower Honey
- 6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves crushed garlic
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- Pinch of cayenne
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh ground black pepper to taste
Simply whisk together the ingredients and pour over a salad.
BBQ Sauce. Like salad dressing, a bottled BBQ sauce does not compare to a homemade one. BBQ sauce is one of those recipes that varies drastically depending on what part of the country it is being served. But no matter what, honey is a natural sweetener that can add a depth of flavor and enjoyable sweetness to a dish. Try this BBQ sauce recipe:
- 1 diced medium white onion
- 3 cloves chopped garlic
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup Apis Mercantile Southern Wildflower Honey
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer on medium heat for approximately fifteen minutes. Slather over meat to use as a cooking braise, or use as a dipping sauce when meat is cooked.
Sauce for Honey Chicken. Takeout is the only option some nights. But cooking a family favorite takeout dish at home and making it healthier is a great weekend family activity. Honey chicken is a Chinese food staple that can be easily made at home. Here is the recipe for the delicious, sweet and spicy sauce:
- ½ cup Apis Mercantile Southern Wildflower Honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes, or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Combine water and cornstarch in a bowl and set aside. Combine the remainder of the ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and stir until thickened, approximately 2 minutes. Drizzle over fried chicken and serve with rice and broccoli.
Honey Buttercream frosting. There can’t be a list of honey recipes without one for people with a sweet tooth. This honey buttercream frosting is the perfect topping for so many different cakes or cupcakes. And it is extremely easy to make:
- 2 sticks of unsalted butter, room temperature
- ⅓ cup of Apis Mercantile Southern Wildflower Honey
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Cream together butter and honey with a hand mixer or in a stand mixer with paddle attachment. Add in sugar 1 cup at a time until well combined. Add milk and combine. Frost onto your favorite cake or cupcake.
These recipes are just some of Apis Mercantile’s favorite recipes to make with Charleston local raw honey; however, the possibilities are endless. It is time to stop saving honey for sore throats and nighttime tea and start using it to its full potential! Local raw honey from Charleston is bright, delicious, full of health benefits and can be used to enhance so many foods already being made at home.