Blue Cheese and Honey Crisps. Photo: Rachel Nadeau
Quality honey is available in stores and at markets in Edina. Non-beekeepers can purchase honey year-round at Jerry’s Foods, Lunds & Byerlys, Whole Foods, Trader Joes or Cub Foods. During the market season, the Centennial Lakes Famers Market features local honey.
Jerry’s Foods has a full line of honey, including organic varieties. Flavors reflect the flowers the bees pollinate. Whipped honey melts into biscuits like sweet butter. $5.99–$10.99. 5125 Vernon Ave. S.; 952.929.2685; jerrysfoods.com
Mary Jo Stromberg, food service operations manager for Jerry’s shares these fun recipes that are a snap to prepare.
Recipe Corner
Blue Cheese and Honey Crisps
Quick, easy blue cheese and honey crisps make an impressive appetizer. No one needs to know how simple they are to put together. Dress up with a garnish of fresh rosemary sprigs or clumps of grapes.
- Crackers, unseasoned
- Blue cheese, mild variety
- Honey
Place crackers on a serving tray. Dot each with a generous piece of blue cheese. Drizzle with a small amount of honey and serve.
Herbed Honey
The zippy flavor of herb-infused honey adds depth to pork roast and other dishes. Makes a charming homemade hostess gift.
- Fresh herbs: rosemary, thyme, cardamom or sage*
- Honey
- Clear glass jars
Trim, rinse and pat dry herbs. Place herbs in a jar. Fill jar near to the top with honey. Allow to sit for five to seven days. Warm honey in microwave. Strain to remove herbs. Put herbed honey back into clean glass jars.
*Could add in whole black peppercorns with fresh sage.
Honey Glazed Ham
When Easter’s near ham makes the meal. “Any ham is going to be delicious if you glaze it,” Stromberg says. Watch for Jerry’s signature smokehouse ham on special for Easter.
- 1 part honey
- 1 part brown sugar, dark
- 1 large ham
- Whole cloves (optional)
Mix honey and brown sugar in a small bowl. Set honey glaze aside. Score the top of the ham ¼ to ½-inch deep with a sharp knife. Insert cloves for an old-fashioned look. Spread honey glaze on top like a paste so the glaze melts into the scoring. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes to one hour. The cooking time will vary with the size of the ham. If needed, use aluminum foil tent to prevent browning. (Note: Ham is usually pre-cooked so the cooking is more for warming).
