It’s only a couple of years ago when I was introduced to hot honey, and since then it’s become a favourite of mine. 

It’s super quick and easy to make and is so versatile. Whether you prefer adding it to sweet or savoury dishes, meat or veggie, there’s a choice for everyone. 

Ingredients:

• 340g runny honey
  
• 1 tsp red chilli flakes 
  
• 1 tsp ancho chilli flakes
  
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  
• Pinch salt
  
• 1-2 whole dried Birds Eye chillies
  

Method:

1. Using a small saucepan warm the honey gently, just enough so it loosens.
   
2. Add the two types of chilli flakes, vinegar, salt and stir well.
   
3. Pour into a sterilised jar whilst still warm.
   
4. Drop in 1-2 whole dried Bird’s Eye chillies, depending how spicy you want your honey – the chillies will infuse over time.
   
5. Let it sit at room temperature for at least 24 hours before tasting.
   

Top Tips:

1. If you find the honey getting too spicy after a week or two, remove the whole chillies. 
   
2. Can store up to three months in a sterilised, airtight jar, in a cool, dry place. 
   

Perfect Hot Honey Pairings: 

To give you a few pairing ideas I have listed some of my favourite combinations for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Breakfast:

• Hot honey cottage cheese on toast – over the past year or two, cottage cheese has gone from being kind of niche to being everywhere, and in my opinion it’s for a good reason. Hot honey and cottage cheese on toast is one of my favourite combinations. The mild, tangy and creamy cottage cheese pairs well with the sweetness and heat from the hot honey. As well as being extremely delicious it’s a balanced breakfast which is another reason it’s top of my list. 
• Peanut butter and hot honey on toast – I love the sweet and salty combination of this duo. The creamy, nutty and salty peanut butter (or nut butter of choice) pairs exceptionally well with the sweet and spicy kick you get from the hot honey. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding sliced banana to the mix. 
• Pancakes/waffles topping – Why not swap maple syrup for hot honey for something a little different. It will also pair well with any type of nut butter. 
  

Lunch and Dinner:

I’ve kept these in the same category because in my opinion lunch and dinner dishes can serve as either. 

• Hot honey chicken – You can use hot honey chicken in multiple dishes, including stir fry, pastas and wraps. 
• Hot honey salmon bites – The salmon bites work well added to a poke bowl, alongside sushi rice, greens, edamame, cucumber and a fresh garnish (my favourite is coriander).
• Your favourite pizza – It may sound a little ‘rogue’ but drizzling hot honey over your favourite pizza once it’s just come out the oven and is still warm is a game changer.