What could be sunnier than lemon honey ? The result of a collaboration between bees and lemon trees, this honey transports us directly to the sun with its sweet taste enhanced with a hint of citrus. Lemon honey is a valuable ally in the kitchen, adding a tangy touch to your dishes. In this article, we explore three creative ways to incorporate it into your menu: from appetizers to desserts. Get ready to discover how to combine sweet and tangy for delicious meals!
But first, what is lemon honey?
Lemon honey offers a sweet floral flavor and a strong citrus scent. Very creamy, it is appreciated by all honey lovers. This honey has a golden and clear color. With a fairly thick creamy texture, it offers a floral and fruity flavor. With its notes of citrus flowers in the mouth, lemon honey leaves a slight acidity on the finish.
The flowers of the lemon tree bloom several times a year, although they are more numerous in mid-spring and late summer. As with the mandarin tree, the flowers and fruits are found on the tree simultaneously. Although lemon trees grow in France, particularly in Corsica and Menton, our country is not the main producer of this honey made from lemon flowers. And for good reason! The production area of these fruit trees is far too small to make bees happy. It is therefore mainly Spain and the south of its territory that cultivate and produce the sweet lemon honey. It is harvested by Spanish beekeepers over a relatively long period that can last from April to August.
Lemon is known for its astringent, disinfectant… and detoxifying properties. Who has never heard of the virtues of drinking lemon juice on an empty stomach in the morning? Lemon honey is therefore known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Like all citrus honeys, it is a beneficial antispasmodic in cases of migraine, insomnia and palpitations. Rich in antioxidants, it also strengthens the body's immune system.
Ideal for replacing sugar in your morning tea or coffee, lemon honey is lower in calories and better for your health! Spread it on your buttered toast and pancakes to start your day off right. The citrus notes of lemon honey will give rise to surprising sweet and savory sauces. But before following these tips, we give you 3 recipe ideas to try, together or separately.
But before we start, here’s a super easy recipe idea: lemon honey vinaigrette!
It's very simple: mix 2 tablespoons of lemon honey with 1 tablespoon of mustard, 4 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar. Enjoy in a green salad, on a pasta salad or raw vegetables.
1. The entrance
Labneh with lemon honey
In the world of Mediterranean flavors, some culinary combinations stand out for their balance of flavors. Labneh with lemon honey is a perfect example. A typical dish of Syrian and Lebanese cuisine, labneh can be prepared in several different ways. We suggest pairing it with a delicious lemon honey, to add a touch of sweetness and acidity.
Ingredients :
For the labneh:
- 1 kg Greek yogurt
- 1 pinch of fleur de sel
- the zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp lemon honey
- Pepper mill tower
For the filling:
- Lemon tree honey
- Olive pulp with tomato
- Chopped almonds
- Olive oil
- Green olives
- Pepper
- Rosemary or basil
Preparation :
- Drain the Greek yogurt mixed with the fleur de sel in a tea towel for 24 hours to remove the excess liquid and obtain a nice yogurt cream. (To do this, take a salad bowl and a fine strainer of similar size; cover the strainer with a clean tea towel and pour the Greek yogurt and the fleur de sel on top. Then fold the tea towel over the yogurt and put in the fridge).
- Once the yogurt is well drained, add the lemon zest, lemon honey and pepper, mix well and place in a large deep plate.
- Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle randomly with tomato olive pulp, almonds roughly chopped and green olives.
- Finish with a twist of pepper mill and a few fresh herbs. You can enjoy with a good toasted cereal bread or a focaccia.
It’s ready, enjoy!
2. The dish
Turkey with lemon honey
When it comes to cooking, turkey is often seen as a classic staple. However, there is a bold twist to this culinary tradition. Get ready to indulge and make this lemon honey turkey your new star of festive and family meals.
Ingredients for 4 people:
For the dish:
- 20 chicken wings
- 200g of bean sprouts
- 100g corn
- 2 carrots
- 2 green peppers
- 1 red pepper
- 6 tbsp olive oil
For the marinade:
- 7 tbsp lemon honey
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 11 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp powdered ginger
- Salt, pepper
Preparation :
- Prepare the marinade: mix the soy sauce, lemon, honey and ginger, salt and pepper, add the chicken wings.
- Leave to marinate for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the chicken wings, drain them and place them in an ovenproof dish.
- Drizzle with 3 tbsp of oil. Brown for 20 min.
- Peel the carrots, clean and empty the peppers and cut everything into thin strips.
- Drain the corn and soybeans.
- In a frying pan, with the remaining oil, brown the vegetables for 5 minutes then add some of the marinade and heat for 5 minutes. Serve immediately!
Enjoy your food !
3. Dessert
Lemon Honey Madeleines
Madeleines are one of France's most popular delicacies. In this recipe, we invite you to discover a variation with lemon honey that gives them a delicate touch of citrus flavor. These lemon honey madeleines are perfect to accompany your coffee or to satisfy a little sweet craving.
Ingredients for 30 madeleines:
- 200 g butter
- 200 g flour
- 1 sachet of baking powder
- 3 eggs
- 120 g sugar
- 30 g lemon honey + a little honey for the filling
- The zest of a lemon
- 6 cl of milk
Preparation :
- In a saucepan, melt the butter until it turns a light color. Remove from the heat and let cool.
- Mix together the eggs, sugar, honey, lemon zest and milk. Gradually add the flour and yeast previously sieved together, then finally the lukewarm and sieved butter.
- Butter and flour your madeleine molds (unless they are silicone, in which case it is unnecessary). Pour the batter into the molds. Be careful not to fill them to the brim or they may overflow during cooking.
- Bake in the oven at 210°C. If you have classic sized molds, it will take about 12 minutes to cook, if you have mini molds then about 9 minutes should be enough. The madeleines should be lightly golden.
- When they come out of the oven, fill the madeleines with a little lemon honey, using a small paper cone or a piping bag fitted with a fine nozzle.
Enjoy!
Want to vary the pleasures? Discover our recipe for madeleines with fir honey in this article .
From starters to desserts, lemon honey is the ideal honey, with its subtle balance between sweetness and acidity. So, get cooking, let yourself be inspired by these recipes and don't hesitate to create your own culinary masterpieces with lemon honey. Enjoy your meal!
