Below are some fantastic recipes from the National Honey Board that call for two of my all-time favorite flavors in the world: Honey and Apples. Yum! One of the reasons I think I love apples so much is they taste like Autumn to me. Since it’s my favorite time of the year, I’m good with that. As for honey, I know why I’m so in love with it – it’s a little thing we call a sweet tooth and my head is full of them. When these two flavors team up, Joi is one happy, happy Kentuckian.
Apple Gem Jelly Recipe
Makes 24 servings
1 cup apple juice
1 1/2 cups honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 red apples, grated with peel on
3 ounces liquid pectin
In a 5-quart saucepan, combine apple juice, honey, lemon juice and grated apples. Bring to a full rolling boil. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in liquid pectin. Skim off foam. Ladle into hot sterilized jars. Seal according to manufacturers instructions. Makes three 1/2-pint jars.
Recipe for Candied Honey Apples
Makes 6 servings
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 small apples
6 wooden sticks
1/3 cup nuts, chopped
Combine all ingredients except apples, sticks and nuts in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat to 265°F; stir constantly. Remove from heat. Cool 5 minutes. Insert stick into top of apple. Holding apple by stick, roll in hot honey mixture to coat; roll bottom of apple in nuts if desired. Place on waxed paper squares to cool. Repeat with remaining apples. Makes 6 apples.
Honey Yogurt Dumplings with Apples Recipe
Makes 8 servings
Dumpling Batter:
1 cup flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg
6 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon orange peel, grated
Apple Mixture:
4 cups apple slices
2 cups cranberry juice
1/2 cup honey
1 cinnamon stick or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in large bowl. Mix together egg, yogurt, 1 tablespoon honey, milk and orange peel in separate large bowl; stir into flour mixture to form moist batter.
Combine apples, juice, remaining 1/2 cup honey, cinnamon stick and nutmeg in heavy large skillet; mix well. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low.
Drop tablespoonfuls of batter over hot apple mixture. Cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until dumplings are cooked through and wooden pick inserted near dumpling center comes out clean.
Harvest Honey Spice Cake Recipe
Makes 12 servings
1 cup honey
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup strong brewed coffee
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups tart apples, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Powdered sugar
Additional toasted sliced almonds, for garnish
Using electric mixer beat together honey, oil and coffee. Beat in eggs. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to honey-egg mixture, mixing until well blended. Stir in apples, almonds and cranberries. Pour into lightly greased and floured Bundt or tube pan. Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool on wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar; garnish with sliced almonds, if desired.
***** This is a little off-topic, but if you or anyone you love happens to get whatever it is going around (the coughing, sore throat, chest congestion, sneezing nightmare) – put honey in tea and drinketh a lot! The honey soothes the throat like nothing else can or will and the natural sweetness makes you feel as though you just may live. If your throat is sore and inflamed, drink your honey-sweetened tea cold – it’ll put out the fire and make the inflamation go down. If your throat isn’t sore, but you have a lot of chest congestion, drink your honey-tea warm.. it’ll open you up and you’ll re-discover a little something we call breathing.
