Maple Magic: New England’s Sugaring Off Season – Each Recipe Serves 4.

Born and raised in New Hampshire, I have fond memories of spring “sugaring off” when New Englanders collect sap from their maple trees to cook down into delicious maple syrup. These wonderful memories serve as inspiration for this month’s New England maple recipes fit for the galley.

Brief History and Process

Weather and longer days determine the beginning and end of sap production. They cause physiological changes in trees which encourages them to begin converting stored starch into sugar. We had three large maple trees in our backyard that we tapped each year to make syrup for our family. Throughout the year, we cooked with that lovely syrup! Now it’s time for you to celebrate New England’s spring gift with this menu.

Sugaring Off Staples: Maple-Infused Cocktails and Cuisine

Maple Gimlet

8 oz. gin

2 oz. maple syrup

3 oz. lime juice

2 cups ice

Combine the gin, maple syrup, lime, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into four martini glasses.

Salad with Maple Pecans and Cheese

Maple Pecans:

1 ½ cups pecans

¼ cup maple syrup

¼ tsp. each cinnamon and salt

Add pecans and maple syrup to a large skillet. Warm over medium-low heat and stir occasionally for 3-5 minutes until the syrup thickens. Take the skillet off the heat, and sprinkle cinnamon and salt over the pecans. Caramel coating will harden as the nuts cool and dry. Store in sealed container.

Dressing:

1 garlic clove, minced

1 Tbsp. onions, chopped

¼ tsp. each salt and pepper

1 Tbsp. maple syrup

2 tsp. mustard

1 Tbsp. vinegar (not balsamic)

6 Tbsp. oil

Salad:

8 cups salad greens

4 oz. goat cheese, blue cheese, or cheddar cheese, crumbled

2 oz. bacon, crumbled

Add dressing ingredients to a jar, cover, and shake vigorously to blend. Place greens in a salad bowl, drizzle with half the vinaigrette, and toss to combine. Divide among individual plates, top with cheese, bacon, and nuts.

New England Grilled Maple Salmon Recipe

1 ½ lbs. salmon

¼ cup maple syrup

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 garlic clove, minced

¼ tsp. garlic salt

⅛ tsp. pepper

Cut salmon into four equal-sized fillets. Stir remaining ingredients together and marinate salmon for 30 minutes, turning over halfway through. Grill salmon on medium for 3-4 minutes per side.*

* Salmon may be seared in oil for 3-4 minutes per side or oven baked at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-10 minutes.

No-Bake Maple Oat Bars

1 cup peanut (or other nut) butter

1/3 cup maple syrup

¼ cup chocolate chips

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1/3 cup chocolate (chips or bar) for melting

1 tsp. oil

½ tsp. salt

Line an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or oiled aluminum foil. Mix first four ingredients in a bowl. Pour mixture evenly into a pan. Place chocolate chips or bar and oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for one minute, stir. Heat another 30 seconds, stir until smooth. Drizzle chocolate over the bars, and sprinkle with sea salt. Chill for three hours or more. Cut into bars and enjoy!

-by Lori Ross