by Susan Williams |
Honey is the original sweetener. As well as being delicious in tea, on toast, hot biscuits, and other favorites, honey is cholesterol-free, low in sodium and a natural ingredient for cooking. Turning over the sweetening of your food to honey is a healthier alternative to refined sugar and helps keep baked goods moist longer.
There are two main hurdles to cooking with honey; honey is a liquid and it is sweeter than sugar. Most muffins, simple quick breads, and yeast breads can make the substitution without any adjustments. However, honey adds moisture to cakes, cookies, and breads therefore, cut back on the amount of liquid used by 1/4 cup per one cup of honey. Since honey is sweeter than sugar recipes, substitute 2/3 cup of honey for 1 cup of sugar. Honey is also very easy to use in fruit pies. As the pie cooks the fruit will make its own juice therefore, add a little extra thickening with flour or cornstarch before pouring into the pie shell.
When cooking with honey, it is helpful to coat the inside measuring cup with cooking spray or oil. This allows the honey to come out of the cup and ensures correct measures. When using honey, oven temperatures need to be decreased by 25 degrees to ensure the food doesn’t become overly brown. Adding a pinch of baking soda to recipes that don’t already call for some form of milk or cream will counteract the slight acidity that can also causes over-browning.
Honey Toppings, Marinades and Sauces
Honey makes an excellent toping for cereals, oatmeal, and pancakes. Try adding bananas, walnuts, and honey to your oatmeal for an immune system boost yet delicious breakfast.
Honey butter is excellent on toast, scones, fresh bread or pancakes. Cream together 1/2 cup butter or margarine and 1/3 cup honey. One fourth teaspoon Cinnamon may be added for variety. Store in the refrigerator.
Honey Dijon Marinade. Combine equal parts honey to Dijon Mustard. Use as a marinade for chicken, pork, or beef. Store in the refrigerator.
Try adding honey to your favorite stir-fry sauces to make a unique flavorful meal. Combine 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup soy sauce, regular or mild, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. Place your favorite stir-fried vegetable on top of a bed of steamed brown rice. Drizzle sauce over the vegetables.
Honey ginger vinaigrette is easy to make and a tasty dressing. Combine 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup sesame or olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1 small minced clove of garlic. Shake until blended. Toss into favorite lettuce or spinach greens.
References
- www.helium.com/cooking with honey
- http://ezinearticles.com/?Cooking-With-honey
- Honey Acres, Inc., Ashippun, WI
For more info, contact Susan Williams at (775) 358-5083 or email at susanlwilliams@netzero.com.
