Sweet Treats At Home
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. This spring, enjoy all the pleasures of
this tradition in the comfort of your own home, thanks to
Metro’s simple tips.
Sweet Treats At Home
According to popular custom, sugaring season starts when the cry of
the first crows are heard. If you haven’t yet heard them but
are desperate to quell your sweet tooth, don’t fret ! Custom
also says that sugaring coincides with the spring equinox…
which shouldn’t be long now.
Your Sugar Shack
Shindig
The sugar shack has evolved throughout the years. It was once a
necessary event when families prepared their sugar rations for the
year. Today, it’s a gathering place to have fun and eat
heartily.
Needless to say, food is an integral part of the equation. As
it’s simple, inexpensive and popular, it can easily be
prepared at home and served as an informal dinner party.
Usually, a meal at the sugar shack is served at lunchtime and is
followed by a series of outdoor activities, like a maple taffy on
snow tasting event.
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.
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.
In the Spring, maple syrup is a must!
Metro has compiled for you a host of maple syrup recipes that will
honour this national treasure!View our maple recipes here
When maple sugar season comes around,
maple fudge is really a must! Metro has compiled some great recipes
with maple fudge and maple syrup. View our dessert recipes here
 Traditional Pea Soup |
 Potato Omelette |
 Mushrooms and Pâté De Foie
-Stuffed Ham |
 Maple and Spice Glazed Ham |
 Smoked Ham And Maple Baked
Beans |
 Sugar Pie |
 Hazelnut, Cranberry and Maple Caramel
Pie |
To see more delicious recipes with maple syrup
For more practical information and delicious maple syrup recipes