A taste of honey: Desserts and drinks

Honey has long been used for cooking, baking, roasting and brewing drinks around the world. Aside from its delicious flavor, honey is also renowned as a great energy booster.

The recipes below use honey as an ingredient and for topping. The assorted nuts baklava is a traditional Lebanese treat, prepared by Chahid Youness, executive sous chef at Al Nafoura Lebanese restaurant at Hotel Le Meridien Jakarta, and the two energy drinks were whipped up by Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta.

Assorted Nuts Baklava * 150g filo pastry * 100g ground pistachio * 100g ground pine nuts * 20g sugar * 35g soft butter * 60ml honey * 5g finely ground pistachio garnish and decoration

1. Lightly coat a baking tray with soft butter. Lay the filo pastry on top of it and gently brush it with soft butter. Put another layer of pastry on top of the other and brush with butter. Repeat the process with half of the pastry. 2. Mix the ground pistachio and pine nut, then spread it evenly on top of the pastry. Cover it with the rest of the pastry, brush the surface with butter and do it with the remaining pastry. 3. Gently press the baklava, and cut it into portions. Bake it in a hot oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and arrange it on a dish. Drizzle with honey while still hot. Let it cool thoroughly and garnish the top of each baklava with ground pistachio. (photo left)

* Note: Other kinds of nuts or dried fruits can substitute for pistachio and pine nuts.

Jakarta Sunrise * 30ml honey * 1 egg yolk * 160ml orange juice * a dash of grated nutmeg

Blend all ingredients and sprinkle with nutmeg on the top. (photo right, glass on right).

Mulia Fiesta * 30ml honey * 160ml strawberry juice * 30ml plain yogurt

Blend all ingredients and garnish with one whole strawberry with leaves. (photo right, glass on left).