Two guys down in Charleston, South Carolina developed a way to cold smoke honey, olive oil, salts, etc. so the products retain their nutritional qualities while imparting a hickory-smoked infusion that creates a wonderful smoky and earthy smell and taste. When smoking the oil, they realized smoking at higher temperatures makes the oil break down and lose its chemical and nutritional values, so they cold smoke it at 37 degrees. But enough science!  All I know is the smoked honey tastes wonderful! It makes a great glaze for ham, a base for a BBQ sauce recipe and anywhere else you use honey. Can you imagine the taste of smoked honey drizzled over fried chicken or hot biscuits? You can even use it in a cocktail!  

The adult members of my family enjoy having a cocktail when we get together.  It's a time to unwind and catch up on the latest goings-on in the family.  And as my brother Benjie likes to say, "Us Cockerille's like to have something to nibble on during happy hour."  So in honor of brother Benjie, here is a good smoked honey nibble he would enjoy while sipping his Wild Turkey. 

Smoked Honey Pecans

2 cups shelled pecans and pieces

2 tablespoons (Holy Smoke brand) Smoked Honey

A couple pinches of salt

Preheat oven to 350. 

In a medium bowl combine pecans and honey. Stir well to coat. Sprinkle on salt and stir well to combine.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and put pecans in a single layer. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Watch carefully and mind you do not bake too long as the honey will get a bitter taste! The honey should just start to caramelize and still be sticky. 

Remove from oven and let cool. Store in an airtight container and they will keep for a few months!

Also on my What's InSTORE segment this week, I showed how to make a Smoked Gold Rush cocktail. Cheers!

Recipe by Holy Smoke Olive Oil from Charleston, SC

Smoked Gold Rush 

• 2 ounces Bourbon (I used Woodford Reserve)

• 1 ounce Holy Smoke Smoked Honey Syrup

• 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice

• Garnish: lemon peel

1. Combine ¼ cup Holy Smoke Smoked Honey and ¼ cup water in a sauce pan and heat on medium heat while stirring, until just combined about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and chill in the refrigerator until cool. This will keep for 1 month in the refrigerator.

2. Add all the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake for 30 seconds.

3. Strain into a chilled rocks glass with ice.

4. Garnish with a lemon curl.

(How to make lemon curls)

Cut the ends off a lemon and cut a slice lengthwise down the lemon.  Separate the skin from the flesh and gently but snugly roll the lemon rind into a roll.  Secure with 2 toothpicks and place in a glass of water for 2 hours or even over night. Remove from water and remove the toothpicks. Slice 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch strips and gently let them open into a fancy curl.  The strips will hold the shape of a graceful curl to hang onto the side of your glass. Now that's classy!