3 minute read
HONEY
HONEY: MORE THAN A SWEETENER
Honey is the sticky golden substance which comes from bee hives around the world. But it is way more than just a sweetener, as Rebecca Bourhill finds out.
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Honey is full of anti-oxidants as well as anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory properties which have many healing benefits from lowering triglycerides to improving cholesterol and soothing a sore throat. It has also been used as a wound and burn dressing which has been used since 3000BC.
When it comes to buying honey, it is worth finding a supplier that you know will sell you the real stuff. Quite often cheap honey will be diluted with other sugar forms for example cane sugar.
Taste and consistency ranges differs depending on what flower it comes from and what process it has been through. The varieties of honey depend on the geographical locations of where the plant is grow. A few examples of this are: • Lavender honey, mainly found in the south of France has a floral taste and will be great in baking and sweet treats. • Orange blossom honey, is quite mild and as one might expect has a slight citrusy flavour • Bluegum honey has a malty flavour. It is the most common variety in South Africa. Taste and colour of Bluegum honey will even change depending on the species of Bluegum.
IMAGE BY ERGITA SELA VIA UNSPLASH
With their different flavours and consistencies each type of honey is good for different things. From dressings to glazes or simply smothering it on toast, It is all good!
GLAZES Because of its sweetness, honey makes for a great alternative to sugar filled glazes for meat, poultry and Pork. Honey and mustard would be one of the more common flavour combinations but the options are endless.
SAUCES AND DRESSINGS Honey provides consistency and flavour to sauces and dressings. Experiment with different honeys to find your perfect match.
BAKING As an alternative to sugar for baked goods, from cakes to
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muffins and cupcakes. It keeps the consistency moist while adding a lovely flavour. Honey also makes a great syrup to drench the sponge with, making the cake moist and pudding-like.
DRINKS Mead is a honey wine. Simply put, it is honey and water that is fermented with yeast to create an alcoholic beverage. According to the records a honey fermented drink was first drunk 4000 years ago in India.
A common honey and lemon tea can be used for colds, sore throats or simply taken as a soothing drink.
And naturally it can be used as a sweetener for different beverages from Iced Coffee to tea. Whether you would like it with breakfast, or a lunchtime addition or as a sweet taste to dinner there is a honey for every occasion.
LOUKOUMADES © THE FOREIGN FORK © LAZY CAT KITCHEN
SPICED LOUKOUMADES
These delicious bite-size treats from Greece are similar to doughnuts or churros, but since they are not deep fried, they are much healthier. After being baked they are soaked in a warm honey syrup.
INGREDIENTS
For the Doughnuts:
• 250g strong white flour • 5g salt • 7g sachet fast-action yeast • 175ml water
For the Syrup:
• 250ml water • 250g honey • 1 cinnamon stick • 3 cardamom pods, bruised • 1 star anise • A handful of pistachio kernels, to garnish METHOD 1. Mix together the flour, salt, yeast and water then knead for at least 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
Allow the dough to rise for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size. 2. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6. 3. Once the dough has risen, divide it into 20 small balls and place them spaced apart on a baking sheet lined with a sheet of baking paper (you might need two). Cover them with oiled clingfilm and allow the balls to rise for another 40 minutes.
Then bake them in the oven for 10-12 4.
5. minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Meanwhile, make the syrup by placing the water, honey, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods and star anise into a medium saucepan and heating over a high flame. Boil for at least 5 minutes, then remove from the heat and allow to infuse until needed. When baked, drop the dough balls into the spiced syrup. Serve with a dollop of Greek yoghurt and a final sprinkling of pistachio kernels.
