Saturday, August 28, 2010

Honey Cake Recipe


Need a Honey Cake recipe for next weeks Jewish New Year festivities? This traditional recipe will insure your New Year will be a Sweet one! Wednesday 9/1 is the last day to order your bottle of Red Bee Buckwheat honey for delivery before the holiday! Visit our honey pages at www.redbee.com

Majestic and Moist Honey Cake
Adapted from Marcy Goldman’s Treasure of Jewish Holiday Baking

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup vegetable oil 1 cup Red Bee Buckwheat honey
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 large eggs at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup warm coffee or strong tea
1/2 cup fresh orange juice 1/4 cup rye or whiskey
1/2 cup slivered or sliced almonds (optional)

Method:
Fits in three loaf pans, two 9-inch square or round cake pans, one 9 or 10 inch tube or bundt cake pan, or one 9 by 13 inch sheet cake. I made mine in two full-size loaf pans plus two miniature ones.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously grease pan(s) with non-stick cooking spray. For tube or angel food pans, line the bottom with lightly greased parchment paper, cut to fit.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Make a well in the center, and add oil, honey, white sugar, brown sugars, eggs, vanilla, coffee or tea, orange juice and rye or whiskey, if using. (If you measure your oil before the honey, it will be easier to get all of the honey out.)

Using a strong wire whisk or in an electric mixer on slow speed, stir together well to make a thick, well-blended batter, making sure that no ingredients are stuck to the bottom.

Spoon batter into prepared pan(s). Sprinkle top of cake(s) evenly with almonds, if using. Place cake pan(s) on two baking sheets, stacked together (this will ensure the cakes bake properly with the bottom baking faster than the cake interior and top).

Bake until cake tests done, that is, it springs back when you gently touch the cake center. For angel and tube cake pans, this will take 60 to 75 minutes, loaf cakes, about 45 to 55 minutes. For sheet style cakes, baking time is 40 to 45 minutes.

Let cake stand fifteen minutes before removing from pan. Drizzle a bit more honey over each slice as you serve! Enjoy!!!







Need a Honey Cake recipe for next weeks Jewish New Year festivities? This traditional recipe will insure your New Year will be a Sweet one! Wednesday 9/1 is the last day to order your bottle of Red Bee Buckwheat honey for delivery before the holiday! Visit our honey pages at www.redbee.com

Majestic and Moist Honey Cake
Adapted from Marcy Goldman’s Treasure of Jewish Holiday Baking

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup vegetable oil 1 cup Red Bee Buckwheat honey
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 large eggs at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup warm coffee or strong tea
1/2 cup fresh orange juice 1/4 cup rye or whiskey
1/2 cup slivered or sliced almonds (optional)

Method:
Fits in three loaf pans, two 9-inch square or round cake pans, one 9 or 10 inch tube or bundt cake pan, or one 9 by 13 inch sheet cake. I made mine in two full-size loaf pans plus two miniature ones.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously grease pan(s) with non-stick cooking spray. For tube or angel food pans, line the bottom with lightly greased parchment paper, cut to fit.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Make a well in the center, and add oil, honey, white sugar, brown sugars, eggs, vanilla, coffee or tea, orange juice and rye or whiskey, if using. (If you measure your oil before the honey, it will be easier to get all of the honey out.)

Using a strong wire whisk or in an electric mixer on slow speed, stir together well to make a thick, well-blended batter, making sure that no ingredients are stuck to the bottom.

Spoon batter into prepared pan(s). Sprinkle top of cake(s) evenly with almonds, if using. Place cake pan(s) on two baking sheets, stacked together (this will ensure the cakes bake properly with the bottom baking faster than the cake interior and top).

Bake until cake tests done, that is, it springs back when you gently touch the cake center. For angel and tube cake pans, this will take 60 to 75 minutes, loaf cakes, about 45 to 55 minutes. For sheet style cakes, baking time is 40 to 45 minutes.

Let cake stand fifteen minutes before removing from pan. Drizzle a bit more honey over each slice as you serve! Enjoy!!!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

"Local" means my Back Yard Garden




Red Bee® Cool Cucumber Soup Recipe

Ingredients:
6 freshly picked cucumbers, rinsed and dried
2 cloves of fresh garden garlic
16 oz. plain Greek yogurt
6 sprigs of fresh spearmint
6 sprigs of fresh parsley
2 cherry tomatoes and mint leaves for garnish.

Method:
1. Remove skin from half of each cucumber, this gives a lovely green color to your soup.
Slice in half length wise and remove seeds with spoon.

2. Chop into 2 inch pieces and place in food processor. Add garlic, yogurt and herbs. Process until fine texture and blended well.

3. Pour into stainless or glass dish and cover. Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours or more until flavors marinate.

4. Serve in bowls add quartered cherry tomatoes, and mint leaves for garnish.







"Local" means my Back Yard Garden




Red Bee® Cool Cucumber Soup Recipe

Ingredients:
6 freshly picked cucumbers, rinsed and dried
2 cloves of fresh garden garlic
16 oz. plain Greek yogurt
6 sprigs of fresh spearmint
6 sprigs of fresh parsley
2 cherry tomatoes and mint leaves for garnish.

Method:
1. Remove skin from half of each cucumber, this gives a lovely green color to your soup.
Slice in half length wise and remove seeds with spoon.

2. Chop into 2 inch pieces and place in food processor. Add garlic, yogurt and herbs. Process until fine texture and blended well.

3. Pour into stainless or glass dish and cover. Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours or more until flavors marinate.

4. Serve in bowls add quartered cherry tomatoes, and mint leaves for garnish.







Monday, July 26, 2010

July just melted away!

I cannot believe July just melted away right before my eyes! I don't just mean weather-wise. We experienced temperatures here in the NE reaching one hundred degrees with humidity that made my beeswax candles droop. The month was a blurr of honey tastings and book talks enough to make anyone's hair get the frizzies.

I want to personally thank all of those who came out to the New York Public Library to hear me discuss my book HONEYBEE and answer the question of the year..."What made you become a beekeeper?" I enjoyed answering all your insightful bee questions. A big thank you to my agent for coming out even with her arm still in a sling and my assistant Suzanne for taking care of sales!


Have you been to the New Amsterdam Market in Manhattan? We got our first taste of art meets food at this truly European style outdoor market last Saturday. If you have not been down there, it is an absolute must for artisanal food lovers. Check out the paper table cloths and chalkboards, these were perfect for doodling honeybees and tasting notes while expressing my creative style. This was our first signature honey tasting table at the market, it was clear that shoppers loved Red Bee Honey when we left empty handed at 4 pm! Stay tuned for future dates.

If you thought honey only came in those silly plastic squeeze bears and always should taste the same, you'll be delighted to learn about Single-Origin Honey by nectar sources and that all honey is not created equal. August 1st is your last chance to attend our infamous
Honey Tastings Workshop @ Red Bee Apiary. Tour, talk and tastings begin at 1:00 pm till 2:30 pm. Please reserve your seat on the events page on our web site at www.redbee.com or click on Honey Tasting Workshop above.



I had the honor to present an educational Honey Tasting for a group of very intrigued producers at the Food Network. My assistant and publicist report that not one looked at their hand held throughout my one hour honey talk. Our visit ended with a walk through the hustle bustle at Kitchen Stadium. Talk about busy bees! This photo is me showing two of the bravest producers inside my top bar hive. The bees were very well behaved and presented us with an award winning super full of honey. Of course, they got to taste it making it a memorable trip to Red Bee Apiary.



More: Honeybee Book Dates:
Brick Walk Farmers Market, Fairfield, CT on Saturday, July 31st at 9 am-2 pm
FreshFarm Market, Bethesda, MD on
Saturday, August 7th at 9 am-1pm


Sweet and Spicy Grilling Sauce

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Bake Time: 10 minutes

Method:
  • 2 Tablespoons peanut oil
  • 2 small shallots, peeled and minced (about 3 Tablespoons)
  • 4 cloves minced fresh garlic
  • 1/4 cup grated fresh ginger
  • 1 cup dry sherry
  • 2/3 cup Buckwheat honey
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 Tablespoons hoisin sauce

Heat oil in a medium saucepan; add shallots and garlic; cook over low heat for 5 minutes, until softened. Add ginger and cook for 1 minute more, stirring frequently. Add honey and sherry and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 3 minutes. Combine the soy, water and cornstarch in a small bowl; add to pan with hoisin sauce. Cook and stir for several minutes more until slightly thickened. Remove half of the sauce to a small bowl and set aside. Brush remaining sauce over pork ribs, beef skewers or chicken during grilling last 5 minutes of grilling. Place reserved bowl of sauce on the table to drizzle over the cooked meat.




July just melted away!

I cannot believe July just melted away right before my eyes! I don't just mean weather-wise. We experienced temperatures here in the NE reaching one hundred degrees with humidity that made my beeswax candles droop. The month was a blurr of honey tastings and book talks enough to make anyone's hair get the frizzies.

I want to personally thank all of those who came out to the New York Public Library to hear me discuss my book HONEYBEE and answer the question of the year..."What made you become a beekeeper?" I enjoyed answering all your insightful bee questions. A big thank you to my agent for coming out even with her arm still in a sling and my assistant Suzanne for taking care of sales!


Have you been to the New Amsterdam Market in Manhattan? We got our first taste of art meets food at this truly European style outdoor market last Saturday. If you have not been down there, it is an absolute must for artisanal food lovers. Check out the paper table cloths and chalkboards, these were perfect for doodling honeybees and tasting notes while expressing my creative style. This was our first signature honey tasting table at the market, it was clear that shoppers loved Red Bee Honey when we left empty handed at 4 pm! Stay tuned for future dates.

If you thought honey only came in those silly plastic squeeze bears and always should taste the same, you'll be delighted to learn about Single-Origin Honey by nectar sources and that all honey is not created equal. August 1st is your last chance to attend our infamous
Honey Tastings Workshop @ Red Bee Apiary. Tour, talk and tastings begin at 1:00 pm till 2:30 pm. Please reserve your seat on the events page on our web site at www.redbee.com or click on Honey Tasting Workshop above.



I had the honor to present an educational Honey Tasting for a group of very intrigued producers at the Food Network. My assistant and publicist report that not one looked at their hand held throughout my one hour honey talk. Our visit ended with a walk through the hustle bustle at Kitchen Stadium. Talk about busy bees! This photo is me showing two of the bravest producers inside my top bar hive. The bees were very well behaved and presented us with an award winning super full of honey. Of course, they got to taste it making it a memorable trip to Red Bee Apiary.



More: Honeybee Book Dates:
Brick Walk Farmers Market, Fairfield, CT on Saturday, July 31st at 9 am-2 pm
FreshFarm Market, Bethesda, MD on
Saturday, August 7th at 9 am-1pm


Sweet and Spicy Grilling Sauce

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Bake Time: 10 minutes

Method:
  • 2 Tablespoons peanut oil
  • 2 small shallots, peeled and minced (about 3 Tablespoons)
  • 4 cloves minced fresh garlic
  • 1/4 cup grated fresh ginger
  • 1 cup dry sherry
  • 2/3 cup Buckwheat honey
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 Tablespoons hoisin sauce

Heat oil in a medium saucepan; add shallots and garlic; cook over low heat for 5 minutes, until softened. Add ginger and cook for 1 minute more, stirring frequently. Add honey and sherry and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 3 minutes. Combine the soy, water and cornstarch in a small bowl; add to pan with hoisin sauce. Cook and stir for several minutes more until slightly thickened. Remove half of the sauce to a small bowl and set aside. Brush remaining sauce over pork ribs, beef skewers or chicken during grilling last 5 minutes of grilling. Place reserved bowl of sauce on the table to drizzle over the cooked meat.