September is National Honey Month. While we don’t exactly know who comes up with these food holidays, we have every reason to celebrate the natural sweetness produced by bees that can be enjoyed alone or in recipes around the world.
When it comes to choosing the right honey, make sure it’s 100% pure. Some products on the shelves mix honey with other sugars like corn syrup. There are also many varieties of honey with a range of flavors influenced by the environment in which the bees are hiving and thriving.
As a rule of thumb, lighter honey has a lighter, more subtle taste than amber and dark honey, which tends to be more robust. The best way to find the right honey is simple: taste them! Try them out in your favorite recipes and see if one turns out better than another.
No matter what kind of honey you end up using, these four recipes will have you coming back for more.
1. Pear and Prosciutto Crostini with Cream Cheese and Honey
Image licensed by Shutterstock.
Served as an appetizer or afternoon snack, this crostini will please the palate with a balanced sweet and savory flavor. Toast sliced bread and spread on a layer of cream cheese to your liking. Let a slice of your favorite, thinly sliced prosciutto delicately fold onto the base and top with a pear slice and a sprig of thyme. Drizzle with honey when you’re ready to take a bite.
2. Honey Cocktail
Image licensed by Shutterstock
With just three ingredients — gin, honey and lime juice — the Bee’s Knees cocktail from Southern Living is an uncomplicated and refreshing cocktail for you and your guests. The recipe calls for lime juice, but any citrus will do. So don’t be afraid to try lemon, orange or even tangerine.
3. Honey Roasted Chicken
Image licensed by Shutterstock.
Sweeten up your roast chicken with honey and herbs. This recipe from Food 52 features honey, lavender and garlic, but feel free to have some fun in the kitchen by adding honey to your standard roast chicken recipe along with aromatics like rosemary.
4. Honey Peach Galette
Image licensed by Shutterstock.
As we move into fall, you may notice any available peaches are a little less sweet. These peaches are still perfect for making pies, tarts and galettes like this one from Our Balanced Bowl. There are only six ingredients and a few steps to get to a delightful way to end a meal. We recommend serving with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
