Gratituesday- Honey

I am so excited about this honey.  My neighbor gave it to me.  A bee company put some hives on her land this summer, and they gave her a 5 gallon bucket of honey in return.  She is keeping it in her basement, thinking it will last longer.  She had to cut it out of the bucket with a knife. 

This is the weirdest honey I've ever seen.

Oops, you can see my reflection on the spoon!  This is the jar that was still pretty cold, and thus, hard.

I had set the other jar in my garage, which is apparently warmer than my kitchen.

It tastes delicious too.  I've already used some to make granola bars.  Can't wait to try it in my Honey Wheat Bread. 

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Honey Ice Cream

In an effort to reduce our consumption of refined sugars, I've been experimenting with natural sweeteners.  This Honey Ice Cream turned out better than I expected, especially when I added some peaches from the fruit crisp I made yesterday.  I used a dark honey, because that's what the hubby likes, but I'm sure a lighter honey would taste great too!

Honey Ice Cream
makes 1 1/2 quarts

1/3 cup raw honey
1/8 tsp salt
1 3/4 cup whole milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 Tbsp vanilla

Combine sugar, salt, and milk in saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until mixture almost boils.  Reduce heat to low.
Gradually stir aobut 1/2 cup of hot milk into the beaten eggs.  Add eggs to remaining hot mixture.  Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.  Remove from heat and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Combine whiping cream, vanilla and chilled mixture, stirring with a wire whisk to combine.
Pour into canister and freeze as directed.

What's your favorite way to use honey?