Main Dishes

By Jeff Erb and the National Honey Board

Fettuccine with Asparagus and Basil

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch lengths
  • 6 plum tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup canned chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 pound fettuccine
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Directions

  • Heat oil in a large skillet.
  • Add garlic and saute until golden.
  • Add asparagus, tomatoes, chicken broth, 1/4 cup basil and honey.
  • Simmer until asparagus are just crisp tender.
  • Season sauce with salt and pepper.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • Drain, transfer to a bowl and toss with sauce, Parmesan, parsley and remaining 1/4 cup basil.
  • Serves: 4.

    Note: You can also prepare this dish with other vegetables such as: bell peppers, eggplants, etc.

Grilled Eggplant With Tomatoes & Mozzarella
Use this dish as an appetizer, a side dish or even a vegetarian main course.

Ingredients

  • 1 large eggplant, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 loaf coarse peasant bread, sliced
  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
  • 2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced
  • 10 fresh basil leaves, sliced into thin shreds
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • salt and pepper

Directions

  • Brush eggplant slices lightly with olive oil.
  • Grill or broil until just browned turning once.
  • Set aside.
  • Brush bread slices lightly with olive oil.
  • Grill or broil quickly to just toast.
  • Watching carefully so that the bread does not burn.
  • Set aside.
  • To assemble, alternate eggplant slices, cheese slices and tomato slices in a circular pattern on a large plate.
  • Sprinkle with basil.
  • Whisk together balsamic vinegar, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, and honey.
  • Drizzle over vegetables and cheese.
  • Sprinkle with salt and fresh ground pepper.
  • Put grilled bread slices in a basket and serve.

Savory Vegetable Bake
Serve as a vegetarian main course or a side dishIngredients

Ingredients

  • 1 large eggplant, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced
  • 3 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Arrange eggplant slices on a greased baking sheet that has been sprinkled with salt.
  • Drizzle with 2 Tablespoons olive oil and bake for about 10 minutes or until slices begin to soften.
  • Meanwhile, sauté onion slices in 1 Tablespoon olive oil until golden.
  • Remove from heat and stir in garlic, oregano and honey.
  • Spread this mixture in a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
  • Reduce oven temperature to 350°.
  • Layer eggplant, zucchini and tomatoes on top of onion mixture.
  • Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for about 1 hour and 10 minutes until vegetables are tender.
  • Serves: 4

Sauces

  • Combine 1/2 cup peanut butter with 1/4 cup each honey and rice wine vinegar, 3 Tbsp. soy sauce and 1 tsp. each minced jalapeño pepper, minced garlic and grated fresh ginger. Mix until blended. Use to baste chicken or pork.
  • Cook 2 Tbsp. chopped onion in 1/4 cup butter until onion is translucent. Stir in 1/4 cup honey, 2 Tbsp. lemon juice and 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil. Bring to a boil; serve over fish or poultry.
 
     
 

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