51 posts tagged “honey”

Shrimp Cocktail Salad Rolls
Yields 4 servings

16 large, store-bought, peeled, de-veined and cooked shrimp, tails removed and chopped into bite-size pieces
5 radishes, thinly sliced, then stacked and julienned into matchsticks
1/4 yellow bell pepper, finely chopped
2 scallions, both green and white parts, thinly sliced on an angle
6 stalks celery, 2 finely chopped and 4 cut into sticks
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 to 3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup hot sauce
1/4 cup store-bought cocktail sauce
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons butter, melted
4 hot dog buns, split on the top
4 carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
1 bag rosemary potato chips, or any other healthy chip you like

In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the shrimp, radishes, bell pepper, scallions and the chopped celery. For the dressing: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the vinegar, honey, Worcestershire, hot sauce and cocktail sauce. Whisk in the olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour the dressing over the shrimp salad, toss to combine and reserve in the fridge until ready to serve.

Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. While the skillet is heating, brush the hot dog buns with the melted butter. Toast in the skillet until golden brown. Fill the buns with the shrimp salad. Serve with carrot and celery sticks and healthy potato chips alongside.

Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Yields 4-6 servings

1 package of 2 tenderloins (about 2 pounds), butterflied
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup whole-grain mustard
4 tablespoons butter
3 slices whole grain bread, toasted and ground into breadcrumbs in a food processor
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 boxes frozen spinach, defrosted, drained and squeezed dry
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 orange, juiced and 1/2 zested
1 egg, beaten

Preheat the oven 475°F. Butterflying a tenderloin: Trim the silver skin or connective tissue with a very sharp, thin knife. Place the tenderloin on a cutting board vertically then slice through the tenderloin about a 1/3 of the way down the side.

Fold that flap open and give it a light pounding using a mallet or the back of a small sauté pan. Turn the cutting board 180 degrees and slice into the tenderloin 2/3 of the way down on the other side so that it opens up like an accordion or a business letter. Give that side a light pounding, so that the whole tenderloin is flat, rectangular and ready to be stuffed and rolled up. Repeat with other tenderloin. In a small bowl, combine the honey and mustard. In a large mixing bowl, add the breadcrumbs, melted butter, spinach, salt, pepper, orange zest and the beaten egg, stir to combine.

Brush the honey mustard mixture on the inside of the butterflied tenderloins. Spread the spinach mixture evenly over the honey mustard leaving a one-inch border. Roll the tenderloins back up and place them seam side down on a nonstick baking sheet. Coat them with olive oil, salt, pepper and the orange juice, pop them into the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140-145°F. Let meat rest, transfer to a carving board, slice and serve.

Moroccan Turkey Breast
Serves 4 to 6

2 ounces finely chopped blanched almonds
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 5-pound bone-in turkey breast, rinsed and patted dry
2 heaping tablespoons honey
1/2 cup homemade or low-sodium canned chicken stock, plus more, if needed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
Orange slices, for garnish (optional)
Tomato slices, for garnish (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium skillet, combine almonds and sesame seeds. Cook over medium heat, until fragrant and golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside and let cool. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, coriander, cumin, ginger, cloves, salt, and pepper. Rub over entire surface of turkey.

In a small saucepan, heat honey and stock. Place turkey, breast-side up, in a small roasting pan. Dot with butter, and pour stock mixture over turkey. Roast for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, basting every 20 minutes with pan juices. As the honey browns, add additional stock to avoid burning. If the pan dries out, add more stock. If turkey browns too much, cover with aluminum foil.

Remove from oven, and remove turkey from pan. Set aside. Strain pan juices into a small saucepan and return turkey to roasting pan. Stir almonds and sesame seeds into pan juices. Spread over turkey, return to oven, and continue roasting, basting every 3 to 5 minutes. Cook until skin is dark golden brown and crisp, and a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat reads 165 degrees, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer turkey to a platter, and garnish with orange and tomato slices.

Crisp Tofu Sandwich with Peanut-Ginger Sauce
Makes 2 Servings

1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
1 red bell pepper, cut into 4 long panels
2 teaspoons olive oil
6 ounces Thai-flavored baked tofu, cut into 1/2-inch slices
2 tablespoons natural unsweetened peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
3/4 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 (4 ounces) 8-inch whole-wheat baguette, or wholegrain baguette , halved horizontally
Radish sprouts for garnish (optional)

Heat broiler with rack 4 inches from heat source. Place onion slices and pepper, skin side up, on a broiler pan. Broil, turning onion over halfway through cooking time, until peppers are blistered and onion is lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel skin off pepper. Cut pepper into thick strips.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté tofu until golden brown and crisp, about 2 minutes on each side. In a small bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil, and ginger. Toss reserved vegetables with remaining 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil. Spread peanut-butter mixture on bottom side of bread. Top with tofu and vegetables. Place other piece of bread on top. Cut in half to make two sandwiches. Wrap tightly in foil and refrigerate for up to two days. Serve with radish sprouts on the side, if desired.

Seared Sirloin Steak with Onion Relish
Serves 4

1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup olive oil, preferably Spanish, plus more for skillet
1/2 red onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 tablespoon minced garlic, (2 medium cloves)
1/3 cup brine-cured pitted green olives, such as Picholine, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
1 navel orange, peel and pith cut off, flesh cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus sprigs for garnish
1 (1 1/2 pounds and 1 inch thick) boneless sirloin steak

Whisk together honey and vinegar in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Whisking constantly, pour in oil in a slow, steady stream; whisk until emulsified. Stir in onion, garlic, olives, orange, and parsley; set aside.

Season steak all over with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Coat a 12-inch seasoned cast-iron skillet with a thin layer of oil; heat over medium-high heat until very hot. Sear steak, turning once, 6 to 8 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate, and tent with foil; let stand 10 minutes before slicing. To serve, cut steak against the grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices, and arrange on a platter. Spoon relish on top; garnish with parsley sprigs.

Honey Whole Wheat Bread
Makes two 9-inch loaves

3 1/2 cups warm water
3 tablespoons honey
2 active dry yeast, (1/4 ounce each)
1 1/2 pounds (about 4 1/2 cups) bread flour, plus more for dusting
1 1/2 pounds (about 4 1/2 cups) whole-wheat flour
5 ounces (about 1 cup) wheat germ
2 tablespoons coarse salt
Vegetable oil, for bowl, pans, and plastic wrap
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Combine warm water, honey, and yeast in a large liquid measuring cup; stir until yeast dissolves. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk 1 pound 5 ounces (about 4 cups) bread flour with whole-wheat flour, wheat germ, and salt. Make a well in the center. Pour in yeast mixture, and stir with a wooden spoon, gradually drawing in dry ingredients until combined.

Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Gently knead in remaining 3 ounces (about 1/2 cup) bread flour a little at a time until dough is smooth and elastic, 10 to 15 minutes. Place in a lightly oiled bowl; cover with lightly oiled plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees; with rack in center. Brush two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans with oil. Punch down dough with your fist then turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide dough in half. Flatten one half into an oval approximately the length of the pan, and roll up lengthwise, gently pressing as you go to form a tight log. Place the log, seam side down, into a prepared pan. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover loaf pans with oiled plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 30 to 45 minutes.

Using a lame or a razor blade, slash loaves down the center in one quick, even motion. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk with the heavy cream; brush over the tops of the loaves. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until bread is deep golden brown, 50 to 60 minutes. (If tops are browning too quickly during the last 30 minutes of baking, tent with aluminum foil.) Transfer pans to a wire rack, and let cool 5 minutes. Turn out the loaves onto the rack to cool completely before serving.

Tomato Cucumber Salad with Lemon Honey Poppy Dressing
Yields 4 servings

Zest and juice of 1 lemon
25 to 30 leaves fresh basil
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
3 tablespoons of honey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 seedless cucumber, cut in quarters lengthwise then chopped into bite-size pieces
1 pint red grape tomatoes, cut in half
1 pint yellow grape tomatoes, cut in half

In a blender or food processor combine the lemon zest and juice with the basil, the parsley, honey and some salt and pepper.  Turn the machine on and pour in the EVOO in a slow and steady stream.  Transfer dressing to a bowl, add the poppy seeds and stir to combine.

For the salad, rub a salad bowl with the crushed clove of garlic to give the flavor of garlic without overpowering the salad.  Discard the garlic and add the cucumbers and red and yellow tomatoes to the bowl.  Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.

Asparagus with Honey Mustard

2 pounds asparagus
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive or vegetable oil

1. Snap off tough ends of asparagus spears.
2. Heat 1 inch water (salted if desired) to boiling in 12-inch skillet. Add asparagus. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 8 to 12 minutes or until stalk ends are crisp-tender; drain.
3. Shake remaining ingredients in tightly covered container. Drizzle over asparagus.

Turkey Patty Melt with Honey Apple Radish Slaw
Yields 4 servings

1 package (about 1 1/3 pounds) all-white-meat, ground turkey breast
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
2-3 scallions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons butter, softened but not melted
8 slices multi-grain sandwich bread
8 slices havarti cheese
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons honey
Juice of 1 lemon
3/4 cup spicy brown mustard, divided (1/4 cup for slaw, 1/2 cup for dipping on the side)
1 handful flat-leaf parsley
1 sack store-bought shredded cabbage
10 radishes, sliced
1 granny smith apple, peeled, cored and sliced

In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, dill, scallions, sweet pickle relish, salt and pepper. Score the meat into 4 equal parts and then form 4 patties, about 1 1/2-inch thick. Drizzle them with olive oil and set aside.

Place a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Place patties into the pan and cook 6-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

In the bottom of a medium size bowl, stir the sour cream, honey, lemon juice, mustard and the parsley to make a dressing. Add the cabbage, radishes and apple to make a slaw.

While the patties are cooking, spread a thin layer of butter on each slice of bread, turn them over and place a slice of cheese on each of the non-buttered sides of the bread. Put a cooked patty on top of the cheese, and top with another cheese-sided slice of bread. Place the sammies buttered side down in the skillet over medium heat and cook until golden and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes per side. Serve the patty melts with some spicy brown mustard for dipping and the slaw alongside.

Cold Chicken Satay Noodles
Yields 4 servings

Salt
1 pound whole wheat spaghetti
1/4-1/3 cup smooth or chunky peanut butter, softened
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup tamari (aged soy sauce)
1 clove garlic, grated with microplane or box grater
Juice of 2 limes, zest of 1
1 teaspoon hot sauce
3 tablespoons vegetable, peanut or sunflower oil
2 cups store-bought rotisserie chicken meat, skin removed and thinly sliced
A handful of shredded carrots
4 scallions, thinly sliced on an angle
1 cup spinach greens, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped peanuts, available in small pouches in the baking aisle
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro or flat-leaf parsley, whichever you prefer

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Once boiling, salt water liberally, then drop pasta in and cook to al dente.  Run cooked pasta under cold water to cool.  Drain well and reserve. While the water is coming to a boil and the pasta is cooking, whisk together softened peanut butter, honey and warm water in a large bowl. Once they're combined, whisk in the tamari, garlic, lime juice and zest, and hot sauce. 

While whisking continuously, pour the oil in a steady stream to complete the dressing.  Add noodles, veggies and peanuts to the bowl and toss until everything is mixed well. Place noodles in shallow bowls and top with chicken and cilantro or parsley.