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Moroccan Hummus and Spicy Drummettes

Leap Year Party Ideas

In our time-crunched culture, having an extra day to accomplish all of our tasks seems like a once-in-a-lifetime gift. Fortunately, we receive this gift once every four years, in the form of a Leap Year. This year, on Friday, February 29, use the time to entertain friends you’ve been meaning to have over, and toast the added 24 hours. Leap Year exists to balance the lunar and astronomical calendars – each year we actually have 365¼ days, and every fourth year, those fourths add up to an extra day. The next time Leap Year falls on a Friday will be in 28 years! The National Honey Board suggests sweet time-saving party ideas that people will be talking about until the next Leap Year. For additional party-perfect recipes or photos, please contact Marlena Deutsch at mdeutsch@stephanbrady.com or 608.241.4141.

Moroccan Spiced Hummus (makes 2-1/2 cups)

2		cans (15-1/2 oz.) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1/3		cup honey
1/4		cup lemon juice
1		teaspoon ground cumin
1		teaspoon minced garlic
1/2		teaspoon salt
2 to 3		Tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
		Cayenne pepper
		Toasted Pita Triangles or crackers

Combine all ingredients except cilantro and Pita Triangles in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Remove mixture to a serving bowl. Stir in chopped cilantro or parsley. Serve with Pita Triangles or crackers.

To Make Pita Triangles: Separate and cut rounds of pita bread to form 2 circles each. Cut each circle into 6 or 8 triangles. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F about 5 minutes until crisp and lightly browned at edges.

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Spicy Honey Drummettes (makes 7 servings)

3		lbs. chicken drummettes
1		cup honey
2		Tablespoons curry powder
1		teaspoon ground ginger
1/2		teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

Rinse drummettes and pat dry. Arrange in single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients until well blended. Spoon half of honey mixture over drummettes; bake 10 minutes. Using tongs, turn drummettes over. Spoon remaining honey mixture over drummettes; bake 10 minutes longer. Let cool slightly before serving.

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Mojito Honito (Makes 1 beverage)

1		oz. Honey Simple Syrup (see below)
1		oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
2 to 3		fresh mint leaves
1-1/2		oz. light rum
4		oz. soda water

Combine Honey Simple Syrup, mint leaves, and splash (1 oz.) of soda water in a 12-oz. glass. Use muddler to lightly press mint and blend flavors. Squeeze 2 halves of lime into the glass, leaving one hull in the mixture. Add rum, stir, and fill with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with mint sprig & lime wheel.

Honey Simple Syrup

Mix 4 parts honey to 1 part hot water in a "store 'n pour", or other covered container that is convenient to pour from.

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Orange Almond Honey Cake (Makes 12 servings)

Orange Almond Cake

1/2		cup shortening
1		cup honey
1		Tablespoon grated orange peel
3		eggs
1-3/4		cups all-purpose flour
2		teaspoons baking powder
1/2		teaspoon salt
1/4		cup fresh orange juice
1/4		cup ground blanched almonds
		Fluffy Orange Frosting (below)

In large mixing bowl, cream shortening. Gradually add honey, beating until light and fluffy. Add orange peel. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with orange juice. Mix until smooth. Add ground almonds, mix well. Pour into two 8-inch round cake pans after greasing bottoms of pans only.

Bake at 325°F for 30 minutes or until cake tests done in center. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove to cool on rack. Frost with Fluffy Orange Frosting. Decorate with 1/4 cup toasted almond slices.

Microwave: Follow recipe directions. Pour batter into two 8-inch round glass cake pans with bottoms of pans only greased. Cook one layer at a time. Cook on HIGH 4 minutes. Let cake stand in pan for 10 minutes to set. Remove to cool on rack.

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Fluffy Orange Frosting

2		egg whites
1/4		teaspoon salt
1		Tablespoon fresh orange juice
1/2		cup honey
1/2		teaspoon vanilla

In top of double boiler, combine egg whites, salt and orange juice. Beat mixture until egg whites hold their shape in soft peaks. Continue beating while adding honey in a fine stream. Cook over boiling water, beating constantly for 5 minutes until mixture forms stiff peaks when beater is raised. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and beat frosting 2 minutes longer until frosting is of spreading consistency. Makes 1 cup, enough to frost 2 8-inch cake layers.