Bring a buzz to your barbecues this season with the natural flavour of honey. This versatile ingredient adds magic to marinades, sauces and salad dressings and gives a crisp coating to chicken or lamb. 

Barbecue sauce 

For a quick and easy barbecue sauce simply mix three tablespoons of clear honey (45ml) with six tablespoons (90ml) of tomato ketchup, two tablespoons (30ml) of red wine vinegar and two tablespoons (30ml) of mustard. Season to taste and coat spare ribs, pork chops or chicken wings before cooking. 

Marinades 

To make a mouthwatering marinade for 1lb (450g) of meat, mix together four tablespoons (60ml) clear honey with the grated rind and juice of one large orange, three tablespoons (45ml) wholegrain mustard, one clove of garlic (crushed), three tablespoons (45ml) ground coriander and salt and black pepper. Leave the meat in the marinade for as long as possible - ideally overnight - to bring out the full flavour. 

Salad Dressing 

Honey counteracts the sharpness of vinegar or lemon juice in salad dressings and can be used instead of sugar with oil and vinegar. It works particularly well with strong mustards and gives a rich gloss to salad leaves. Mix one tablespoon (15ml) of clear honey with one teaspoon of Dijon or other strong mustard with two tablespoons (30ml) of lemon juice and four tablespoons of olive or walnut oil for a tasty honey and mustard dressing. 

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