Have a Leap Year Party!

In our time-crunched culture, having an extra day to accomplish all of our tasks seems like a once-in-a-lifetime gift. Fortunately, we receive this gift once every four years, in the form of a Leap Year. This year, on Friday, February 29, use the time to entertain friends you've been meaning to have over, and toast to the added 24 hours.

Leap Year exists to balance the lunar and astronomical calendars - each year we actually have 365 1/4 days, and every fourth year, those fourths add up to an extra day. The next time Leap Year falls on a Friday will be in 28 years!

Mojito Honito

1 oz. Honey Simple Syrup (recipe below) 2 to 3 fresh mint leaves 4 oz. soda water 1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice 1 1/2 oz. light rum

Combine Honey Simple Syrup, mint leaves and a splash (1 oz.) of soda water in a 12-oz. glass. Use muddler to lightly press mint and blend flavors. Squeeze 2 halves of lime into the glass. Add rum, stir and fill with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with mint sprig and lime wheel.

Honey Simple Syrup

Honey Water

Mix 4 parts honey to 1 part hot water. Store Simple Syrup covered in refrigerator.

Moroccan Spice Hummus and Pita Triangles

2 cans (15½ oz.) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed 1/3 cup honey 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. minced garlic 1/2 tsp. salt 2 to 3 Tbsp. fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped Pita bread

Combine all ingredients except cilantro and Pita Triangles in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Remove mixture to a serving bowl. Stir in chopped cilantro or parsley. Serve with Pita Triangles or crackers.

To Make Pita Triangles: Separate and cut rounds of pita bread to form 2 circles each. Cut each circle into 6 or 8 triangles. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F about 5 minutes until crisp and lightly browned at edges.

Orange Almond Honey Cake

Makes 12 servings

1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup honey 1 Tbsp. orange peel, grated 3 eggs 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 cup fresh orange juice 1/4 cup ground blanched almonds Fluffy Orange Frosting (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 325° F. Grease the bottom of two 8-inch round cake pans. In large mixing bowl, cream butter. Gradually add honey, beating until light and fluffy. Add orange peel. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with orange juice. Mix until smooth. Add ground almonds, mix well. Pour into prepared pans.

Bake for 30 minutes or until cake tests done in center. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove to cool on rack. Frost with Fluffy Orange Frosting. Decorate with 1/4 cup toasted almond slices.

Fluffy Orange Frosting

1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 Tbsp. orange blossom, or other mild-flowered honey 1 Tbsp. fresh orange juice

In mixing bowl, combine whipping cream, honey and orange juice. Beat until peaks form.