Sweet Disappointment

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Last night, I attempted to cook my dandelion greens- I blanched them in salted water, cooked them with a little butter, garlic and salt and pepper- however- they were so bitter and greasy! I was amazed at their bitter flavour! I shall not worry- there must be a way to cook these beauties to release SOME form of edible sweetness! It is possible!!!!!!

On another note- I have been using local Santa Barbara Honey from the farmer's market, and, as usual, I found out some interesting facts about the honeycomb! (which is something that I need to see in my Organic Honey- it's rather comforting, is it not?)

HONEY FACTS:
Honey, through out time, has been used to control weight, bladder problems, coughs, colds and sore throats, disrupted digestion, arthritis and asthma! This insect's potion, with the ability to promote relaxation and sleep, can also be used for a few surprising remedies:
~ Are you hot? If you chew a bit of the honeycomb, you can aid you body's natural cooling system.
~If your lips are chapped, you can rub a dab of honey on them! Natures own chap-stick!
~Trying to loose a few pounds? Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of Cider Vinegar and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of Organic Honey to 1 glass of unsweetened, Organic Grapefruit juice- about 1 cup (1/2 pint, 237 ml) (You can even make your own!) Mix both together well and sip before meals to aid in minimizing your hunger. I like to pour this concoction over ice, add fizzy water and garnish with Honeycomb! You can even add a splash of Vodka to make a cocktail out of it!

If you are cooking with honey, here are some hints and tips!

~You can heat Honey, adding in cinnamon and ground cloves to make a divine ice cream topping.
~Glaze you winter root veg with honey! (But don't forget- honey has a lower caramelization point than most sugar, so please remember to reduce your oven temp by at least 25º Fahrenheit (-3.889º Celsius).
~If you bake your Holiday cakes and cookies with honey, they shall have a longer life!
~Make sure to oil your measuring utensils before pouring honey into them!
~ Please, always remember to store your Honey at room temperature. If you refrigerate your Honey, it will harden!
~If your Honey has been left to it's own devises for too long, it might crystalize- if this should happen, just let the jar of Honey rest in a bath of hot water for a few minutes- then all will be well!

I hope you enjoy this miracle of nature! We cannot live with out Bees!!!!!
(even though they do scare me a little...)

This info on bees was adapted from the "Ben Franklin's Almanac of Wit, Wisdom and Practical Advice: Useful Tips and Fascinating Facts for Every Day of the Year" by the Editors of "The Old Farmer's Almanac". I recommend you all go out and purchase one! I love this book- it makes me feel all warm inside.

And Today's Quote is:

"We have pumpkin at morning and pumpkin at noon,
If it were not for pumpkin, we should be undoon."
-17th Century American Folksong