Herb & Honey Living Magazine

03/20/2025

03/18/2025

🐝 Honoring National Ag Day with Herb & Honey Living!🌿
Agriculture is more than just fields and farms—it’s the heart of our food, our traditions, and our connection to the earth. From the buzzing of bees in the hives to the flourishing herbs in the garden, every harvest tells a story of dedication and sustainability.

Today, we celebrate the farmers, beekeepers, and growers who nourish our lives with their passion and hard work. Let’s support local agriculture and embrace the beauty of farm-fresh living! 🍯🌾

03/16/2025

Saving bacon grease is a time-honored kitchen trick that adds rich, smoky flavor to everything from roasted veggies to cornbread. Here’s how to do it safely and efficiently:

How to Store Bacon Grease for Cooking

1️⃣ Strain It – After cooking bacon, let the grease cool slightly but remain liquid. Pour it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a heatproof container to remove any solid bits (these can turn rancid over time).

2️⃣ Choose Your Storage – The best options are:
• Glass jars (Mason jars are perfect!)
• Ceramic or metal containers
• Bacon grease keepers (with built-in strainers)

3️⃣ Cool & Store Properly –
• At room temp: Lasts about a month (keep in a cool, dark place).
• In the fridge: Stays fresh for 3-6 months and solidifies for easy scooping.
• In the freezer: Keeps indefinitely—great for long-term storage.

4️⃣ Use It Wisely – Bacon grease is perfect for:
🍳 Frying eggs & potatoes
🥦 Sautéing greens & veggies
🍞 Adding to biscuits & cornbread
🍗 Roasting meats

Pro Tip: Label your jar with the date you saved it! Now, you’ve got liquid gold ready to amp up any dish. 💛 What’s your favorite way to use bacon grease? Tell us below! 👇

03/05/2025

A Slice of Sunshine in Every Bite
This honey lemon olive oil cake is the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and indulgently moist. Made with extra virgin olive oil, raw honey, and fresh lemon juice, this cake delivers a soft crumb and a delicate richness. Whether you’re savoring it with your morning coffee, as an afternoon pick-me-up, or as a light dessert with a dollop of whipped cream, it’s the kind of recipe that brings warmth and comfort to any kitchen.

With just a few simple ingredients, this cake is a testament to the beauty of handcrafted, wholesome baking. Plus, it stays incredibly moist for days—if it lasts that long!

A Light, Moist, and Lusciously Citrusy Treat A Slice of Sunshine in Every Bite This honey lemon olive oil cake is the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and indulgently moist. Made with extra virgin o…

02/24/2025

Build the perfect bite:
🥖 Toast up your favorite artisan bread
🥑 Mash a perfectly ripe avocado with a pinch of sea salt
🍳 Top with soft-boiled eggs, sliced
🧂 Finish with a sprinkle of black pepper & a drizzle of olive oil

Let’s talk about avocados. They can be a little unpredictable, right? One day they’re rock-hard, the next they’re overripe. Here’s how to find the perfect one and keep it just right:

🥑 Finding the Perfect Avocado: Look for one that gives slightly when gently pressed but doesn’t feel mushy. The skin should be dark green with a slight pebbly texture.

🥑 Too Ripe? If pressing your finger leaves an indent and the flesh feels too soft, it’s past its prime. Overripe avocados may also have dark spots or a slightly fermented smell.

🥑 Not Ripe Yet? Speed up the ripening process by placing it in a brown paper bag with a banana or apple. The ethylene gas these fruits release will do the work.

🥑 Storing for Later: Once ripe, refrigerate whole avocados to keep them fresh for a few more days. If you’ve cut into one, brush the exposed flesh with lemon juice and store it in an airtight container with the pit to help prevent browning. 🐝🍯🌿

02/17/2025

Save your eggshells - they make excellent starter cups. 🥚

02/15/2025

The vibrant earthiness of zucchini mingles with the delicate, briny richness of cold-smoked salmon, balanced by a tangy herb yogurt cream with hints of lemon and dill.

ZUCCHINI FRITTERS WITH COLD-SMOKED SALMON & HERB YOGURT CREAM
read more at the link below: 🎣

https://herbandhoneyliving.com/zucchini-fritters-with-cold-smoked-salmon-herb-yogurt-cream/

02/15/2025

The vibrant earthiness of zucchini mingles with the delicate, briny richness of cold-smoked salmon, balanced by a tangy herb yogurt cream with hints of lemon and dill. The crisp exterior of the fritters gives way to a soft, herbaceous center, while the creamy dollop of yogurt adds a cool, citrusy finish. This dish is the essence of comfort with a fresh, sustainable twist.

A medley of fresh garden flavors—crispy zucchini fritters, silky cold-smoked salmon, and a tangy herb yogurt cream—bringing comfort, freshness, and sustainability to your plate. The vibrant earthin…

02/15/2025

We are selected our garden pots, so what’s next on our list? Seed and starter shopping! We’ve put together our culinary herb blueprint which includes companion plants to assist in keeping out pests.
Looking forward to spring! 🥕

02/12/2025

Berry Good for You! 💙

Blueberries aren’t just delicious—they’re packed with antioxidants, heart-healthy nutrients, and brain-boosting benefits. With their low glycemic index and anti-inflammatory properties, they’re a powerhouse in every bite!

Enjoy them fresh, frozen, in smoothies, salads, or baked into your favorite treats. However you indulge, celebrate the mighty blueberry this week!

02/09/2025

Roasted Eggplant with Greens, Pine Nuts & Sun-Dried Tomatoes 🍆🌿

It doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. Know what goes into your body. ✨

This simple yet flavorful dish brings out the best in fresh ingredients—perfectly roasted eggplant, creamy yogurt, bright greens, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and a crunchy pine nut finish.

Ingredients 🛒
• 1 large eggplant, halved
• Olive oil, for roasting
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• ½ cup Greek yogurt or labneh
• 1 cup fresh greens (kale or spinach)
• ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Drizzle of honey (optional)

How to Make It 🍽
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Score the eggplant flesh, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt & pepper, and roast cut-side up for 25–30 min until golden and tender.
2️⃣ Sauté greens in a little olive oil until wilted.
3️⃣ Spread a spoonful of Greek yogurt over each roasted eggplant half.
4️⃣ Top with sautéed greens, sun-dried tomatoes, and toasted pine nuts.
5️⃣ Finish with fresh parsley, a drizzle of olive oil, and honey if you like a touch of sweetness.

Serve warm & enjoy! 🥄

🐝

02/08/2025

Lemon & Thyme Cast Iron Roasted Chicken Thighs
This rustic, deeply flavorful dish is all about simple ingredients coming together for an irresistible result. The boneless, skinless chicken thighs are seared in a vintage cast iron skillet, soaking up the essence of garlic, thyme, and fresh lemon, creating a tender, juicy bite with a crisp, golden exterior.

Read more at link below

https://herbandhoneyliving.com/2025/02/07/lemon-thyme-cast-iron-roasted-chicken-thighs/

02/06/2025

Pure, Simple, and Churned to Perfection.
There’s something deeply satisfying about making butter from scratch. Whether you’re looking for the freshest spread possible, want to experiment with flavors, or simply enjoy the process of crafting something by hand, homemade butter is a rewarding experience. The best part? It requires only one ingredient—heavy cream—and a bit of patience.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from the basics of making butter to storage, shelf life, and how to infuse it with herbs and specialty salts for added flavor.

https://herbandhoneyliving.com/tag/how-to-make-flavored-butter-with-herbs/

02/04/2025

February marks the 14th annual Walla Walla Restaurant Month, a celebration of the region’s culinary excellence and rich agricultural heritage. From Feb. 1-28, indulge in $42 three-course meals from nine of Walla Walla’s top restaurants, paired with must-attend events like February Film Feast, Walla Walla Brewfest, and Valentine’s Day dining experiences.

Whether you’re a foodie, a wine lover, or just looking for the perfect winter getaway, Walla Walla has everything you need for a deliciously memorable month!

Read more at the link below:. 🌿🍯🐝

https://herbandhoneyliving.com/2025/02/03/walla-walla-restaurant-month-returns-for-its-14th-year-on-feb-1-showcasing-food-film-and-fermentation/

02/03/2025

Rustic elegance meets farm-fresh simplicity—where buttery warmth, fragrant rosemary, and golden pine nuts create a cookie worth savoring.

There’s something undeniably comforting about the quiet alchemy of butter, honey, and herbs. These rosemary butter cookies, kissed with floral honey and toasted pine nuts, are delicate yet deeply flavorful—perfect for a slow afternoon with tea or as a thoughtful gift from your kitchen. The subtle herbal note lingers just long enough to remind you of the garden, the warmth of the oven, and the beauty of intentional baking. Soft, simple, and made to be shared.
Read more here: https://herbandhoneyliving.com/2025/02/03/rosemary-butter-cookies-with-pine-nuts/

02/03/2025

If you’ve ever wondered which onion is best for recipes, here’s a handy chart. Happy cooking!

02/02/2025

At our Maple Valley publishing office and studio kitchen, we’re in the planning stages of integrating fresh culinary herbs into the space. With the expertise of culinary herb consultant Wendy Nation, we’re mapping out the footprint, selecting herb varieties, and strategizing placement for optimal growth and accessibility. The covered porch offers plenty of space for a thriving herb garden, ensuring fresh flavors are always within reach. Stay tuned for video updates—I look forward to sharing them with you!