Orange Honey-Not Local but In Season!

My beekeeper friends in Florida just sent me some of their delicious pure orange blossom honey. The color is a sun kissed golden amber and the flavors distinctively orange with flowery jasmine notes. It's going right on top of my almond and orange muffins. I know it's not local but the orange groves and almond orchards are in bloom so it's definitely in season! Here's my easy recipe for these decadent babies. Honey is made from the nectar of flowers and orange blossoms hold vitamin C so you'll be glad to know you'll be getting an little extra health benefit here. Those of you who know me, know that I bake strictly without added sweeteners because I use the drizzle technique on everything to get the full flavor of the honey!


Orange and Almond Muffin Recipe

• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1/4 cup carrots shredded
  
• 1 cup chopped almonds

Method:

Grease muffin tin or line with paper bake cups. In small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and yogurt. Stir dry ingredients into wet mixture until just moistened. Pour into muffin cups. Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks. Drizzle orange blossom honey liberally.

Red Bee Honey Tasting Events:

MARCH 4
Great Chefs 2011
+ Friday, March 4, 2011 at 6:30 am - 8:30 pm
French chef Daniel Boulud will be the honored guest.
Proceeds will benefit the Wellness programs provided to area
residents by the Community Health at Greenwich Hospital.
Red Bee's signature Honey Tasting table-single-origin nectar sources.

MARCH 5
NOFA
+ Saturday, March 5, 2010 at 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Northeast Organic Farming Association
Manchester community College, Manchester, CT
Marina Marchese will present Beekeeping Basics

MARCH 12
Plant a Bee Friendly Garden

+ Saturday, March 12, 2011
Fairfield Organic Teaching Farm at Fairfield Woods Library.

Learn what plants are the best nectar and pollen sources for honeybees
with author and beekeeper Marina Marchese

MARCH 30
To Bee or not to Bee + A Tea for 20
+ Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 2:00 pm till 4:00 pm
Tables of Content, a selection of literary-themed dining experiences.
Author, Honey Sommelier and beekeeper, Marina Marchese will
present a Tasting Flight of her Red Bee's Artisanal honeys, book signing to follow.
Contact Judi Margolin at 203-438-2282 x1027 or jbmargolin@ridgefieldlibrary.org