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At last... It's sugar shack time!

Le temps des sucres  At last... it's sugar shack time!
 • The Maple Taffy on Snow
 • Pork Grills How-to
 		érable 10 new maple recipes
sirop d'érable Tips that make all the difference…
 		produits de l'érable Maple Products : Springtime Sweets
       

 


At last... it's sugar shack time!

For many homes, a trip to the sugar shack is part of yearly spring traditions. It’s an opportunity to meet up with friends and celebrate the arrival of milder weather.


Did you know?

American Indians have always known the gastronomic virtues of this sweet water, and used it to cook venison. They even used it for medicinal purposes, more specifically for the bronchus. Maybe one day we will discover its curative values.


The Ever-Popular Maple Taffy On Snow

To make your own maple taffy on snow, pure maple syrup must be used, instead of a store-bought maple-flavored syrup.

First of all, make sure you have a good quantity of fresh, clean snow available. It’s possible to store snow in vacuum-sealed bags in the freezer. So gather it ahead of time, while preparing for your sugar shindig.
taffy
In a pot, boil the maple syrup until it reaches a temperature of 110°C (225°F). If you don’t have a candy thermometer, here’s a useful trick to determine the syrup’s readiness. Let a drop of hot syrup fall into a glass of very cold water. If the drop stays in a ball without coming apart, the syrup is ready.

Spread the syrup in strips on the clean snow, which has previously been filled into a vat or large pot outside. When the taffy starts to solidify, small wooden spatulas or popsicle sticks can be used to roll up and gather the strips.


Pork Grills How-To

Another classic of the sugaring season, pork grills are a cinch to prepare.

Cut a bloc of salted bacon fat into strips of 1,2 to 1,5 cm (¼ to ½ inch) thick. Blanch them in boiling water for approximately 5 minutes. Drain and roast in a 180°C (350°F) oven until they become golden and crispy. Turn regularly for an even cooking. It’s also possible to cook your blanched pieces of bacon fat in a frying pan until they become crispy, just as you would regular bacon.

 


10 new maple recipes


Zucchini Soup with Red Pepper and Maple Syrup Coulis
Zucchini Soup with Red Pepper and Maple Syrup Coulis 		Ham with Beer and Maple Syrup
Ham with Beer and Maple Syrup
Maple Veal Croquettes
Pork Filets Glazed with Maple and Pink Grapefruit
Maple-Flavoured Quinoa Salad with Feta and Mint



Scallops with Lemon and Maple Syrup Dressing
Maple Caramelized Vegetables
Sweet Potato Puree with Pecans and Maple Syrup
Maple Jujubes
Maple Fudge




 

Tips that make all the difference 
  • Substitute an equal amount of maple syrup for the sugar in pancake batter.

  • Add a touch of maple syrup to whipped cream or meringue to give it a subtle taste.

  • Substitute maple syrup for sugar in bread, cake and frosting recipes. Pouding chômeur, fudge and sugar pie acquire a distinctive taste when prepared with maple syrup.

  • Dip fruit in a maple fondue to delight your guests.

  • Homemade milkshakes containing a touch of maple syrup and maple sugar become an exquisite treat.

  • Mix the juice of 4 lemons, 2/3 cup (160 mL) of syrup and 4 cups (one litre) of water to make a refreshing lemonade drink in the summer.

 

Maple Products: Springtime Sweets

maple productsThe making of maple syrup, a locally know secret that was well kept for many years, has become an industry. The wonderful taste of maple products is now known beyond the Canadian border. Maple syrup and other maple products (taffy, and hard, soft and granulated sugar) are becoming increasingly popular throughout the world for their many qualities: they are natural, pure, tasty and versatile.