Hazelrigg Honey and Walnuts

I have a built-in radar system when it comes to finding local food. If it's anywhere around me, I just naturally gravitate toward it. This morning we were at Dull's Christmas Tree Farm and I was wandering around their cute little gift cabin. Nestled in a cupboard in the far corner of the room was a collection of Hazelrigg Honey products. I immediately honed in on the jar of Nuts & Honey which had a generous quantity of huge walnut halves suspended in golden honey. Hazelrigg Honey products are made by Lisa Schluttenhofer, a Western Boone high school student who manages a hive with over 60,000 Italian honey bees in residence. In addition to the edible honey products, she also makes soaps, lip balms, body creams, and candles from the honey and beeswax.

The minute we got home, while my husband was wrestling with the tree and our tree stand,  I opened up a box of mini-fillo shells and heated them in the oven. When they cooled a few minutes later, I put a heaping tablespoon of the honeyed walnuts in each of them. The walnuts were fresh and firm, the honey was satiny sweet , and the tiny phyllo cups added just the right amount of satisfying crunch.These little confections would be perfect for a "Oh, I'll just have a little something" dessert after a big holiday dinner, an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee, or as a reward for getting your Christmas tree absolutely straight in that less than cooperative tree stand!

Hazelrigg Honey products can be purchased at Dull's Tree Farm or by calling Lisa at 765-482-4384.

Photo: Hazelrigg Walnut and Honey Bites