It’s still cold and frozen here in the Western Wisconsin (and, mind you, I enjoy that very much), but pretty soon the maple will be running, the taps will be dripping, the buckets will be overflowing with sweet sap, and the delicate, sweet smell of boiling maple syrup will fill the air.
OK, we don’t actually boil our syrup here at Compostella farm, but we tap a couple of trees for drinking, and use local maple syrup extensively in recipes. It’s the matter of regional pride.
Because I love all things maple, I’d like to direct you to a few useful posts on maple-tapping, sugaring-off, and cooking with maple syrup – like delicious maple butter, Azerbaijani baklava with a Wisconsin twist, snow taffy, and more!
1. If you have sugar maples in your area, consider tapping them this year to gather and drink the delicious, nutritious, subtly-sweet maple sap. My kids love it, and it makes for a wonderful seasonal activity and tradition.
This is what the sap looks like.
My maple-tapping tutorial can be found here:
2. Make some syrup! Here’s how:
How to Boil Maple Syrup at Home
An utterly delectable spread that’s great on bread and baked goods. Seriously, you owe it to yourself to try it!
4. Sugar-on-Snow (a.k.a. Maple Snow Taffy)
Quick, make some before the winter’s over! Your kids will think you are the coolest mom (or dad) ever.
Works for me.
A classy company dessert, and a good recipe for the crunchy.
6. Azerbaijani Baklava with Maple Syrup
Made with thick, hand-rolled pastry rather than store-bought phyllo, this one is a special treat.
Why yes, I am a hand-rolled pastry tyrant. Homemade puff pastry, for instance? It’s easier than you think! Saves money, too.
7. Maple-Glazed Roast Chicken with Caramelized Onions
Yum and Yum!
Do you have your own favorite things to do with maple syrup? By all means, share!
{ 3 comments }
