Farm Fresh Honey: Sweet Summer Recipes From The Defender Farm

With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to savor the flavors of the season and indulge in some deliciously sweet treats. And what better way to sweeten up your summer than with farm-fresh honey? At The Defender Farms, we take pride in our carefully tended beehives, ensuring that our honey is pure, unfiltered, and bursting with natural goodness. In this blog post, we’re excited to share with you three delightful recipes that perfectly pair with our farm fresh honey and are sure to make your summer even sweeter. So let’s dive into these mouthwatering recipes and explore the incredible versatility of honey as we tantalize your taste buds!

Farm Fresh Honey Citrus Iced Tea

Quench your thirst and cool off during those hot summer days with our refreshing Honey Citrus Iced Tea. This delightful beverage combines the zesty tang of citrus fruits, the subtle sweetness of honey, and the soothing coolness of iced tea. The combination of flavors creates a perfectly balanced drink that is both uplifting and hydrating. Sip on this invigorating blend as you relax in the shade, enjoying the sunshine and the natural sweetness of our farm fresh honey.

To prepare the Honey Citrus Iced Tea, gather the following ingredients:

• 4 tea bags
• 2 cups boiling water
• 3 medium navel oranges
• 2 medium lemons
• 2 cups orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 liter ginger ale, chilled
• Ice cubes

Directions:

• Begin by placing the tea bags in a teapot and pouring the boiling water over them. Cover and let the tea steep for 3 minutes, then remove and discard the tea bags.
• In a pitcher, combine the peeled and sectioned oranges and lemon. Add the orange juice, lemon juice, and honey. Stir well to thoroughly blend the flavors.
• Cover the pitcher and refrigerate the mixture for at least 6 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld together.
• Just before serving, strain the fruit from the tea mixture and discard. Stir in the chilled ginger ale to add a delightful effervescence to the drink.
• Serve the Honey Citrus Iced Tea over ice, garnishing with frozen fruit slices for an extra burst of flavor.

Farm Fresh Honey Pulled Pork Sandwich

Bring a touch of sweetness to your savory summer meals with our Honey Pulled Pork Sandwich. This recipe takes succulent, slow-cooked pulled pork and adds a hint of honey to create a tantalizing balance of flavors. The sweetness of the honey beautifully complements the savory, tender meat, creating a mouthwatering combination that will leave you craving for more. Served on a soft bun and paired with your favorite coleslaw, this sandwich is the epitome of summer comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 boneless pork shoulder butt roast (2-1/2 pounds)
• 1 bottle (18 ounces) barbecue sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup honey
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 8 submarine buns, split

Directions:

1. Start by placing the chopped onion and pork roast in a 5-quart slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, water, honey, minced garlic, seasoned salt, and ground ginger. Pour this flavorful sauce mixture over the pork roast and onions.
3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 5-6 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily pulls apart.
4. Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and let it cool slightly. Use two forks to shred the meat into delicious, melt-in-your-mouth pieces.
5. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce mixture, allowing it to heat through.
6. Serve the Honey Pulled Pork on split submarine buns, piling on the flavorful meat. For added freshness and crunch, you can top it with your favorite coleslaw.

Farm Fresh Honey Graham Crackers

No summer is complete without the aroma of a campfire and the delight of roasting marshmallows for s’mores. Elevate your s’mores game with our Homemade Honey Graham Crackers. These golden, crispy graham crackers are made with love and the natural sweetness of our farm fresh honey. The addition of honey adds a subtle floral note to the classic graham cracker, enhancing its flavor and making it the perfect base for your gooey, melted marshmallows. Whether enjoyed by the campfire or as an anytime snack, these homemade honey graham crackers are sure to be a hit with friends and family.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 6 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup honey
• 4 tablespoons ice water

Directions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, toasted wheat germ, dark brown sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
2. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the honey and ice water. Gradually add this mixture to the dry ingredients, tossing with a fork until the dough holds together when pressed. If needed, add a bit more ice water to achieve the right consistency.
4. Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a disk. Cover and refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes, or until it’s firm enough to roll.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough into an 8-inch square. Use a knife or fluted pastry wheel to cut each square into sixteen 2-inch squares. If desired, prick holes with a fork to resemble the classic graham cracker pattern.
7. Place the graham cracker squares about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are light brown.
9. Remove the baked graham crackers from the oven and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. Store the Homemade Honey Graham Crackers in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.

Savor the Sweetness

With these three sweet summer recipes using farm fresh honey, you can make the most of the season’s flavors and add a touch of natural sweetness to your culinary creations. From the refreshing Honey Citrus Iced Tea to the savory and tender Honey Pulled Pork Sandwich and the nostalgic Homemade Honey Graham Crackers, these recipes are sure to delight your taste buds and bring joy to your summer gatherings.