Maple Recipes for Spring

Ever since Haudenosaunee and Algonquian Natives discovered that cooking maple sap produced a sweet sugar, the taste of maple has been a New England favorite. The region, especially Vermont, has since been known for its high quality maple syrup. But the goodness of maple doesn’t have to be limited to pancakes. Everything from salmon to baked beans can be cooked with maple syrup. With these delicious maple recipes, you can discover the flavor of spring all over again. So let the sap flow! Maple Baked Beans: Baked beans are already a staple of New England cooking, but the taste of the northeast can be even further enhanced when the beans are drizzled with a generous coating of maple syrup. The sweet sugar is the perfect complement to smoky salt-pork. These warm, tender baked beans are perfect as a party dish or as a comforting accompaniment to any home-cooked meal. Maple Pecan Refrigerator Cookies: There’s nothing better than a buttery, maple-flavored cookie to satisfy the sweet-tooth in all of us. Infused with warm, gooey syrup and loaded with crunchy chopped pecans, these cookies are a maple dessert recipe that’s sure to impress. Make them with fresh grade B syrup at the peak of the season, and freeze a batch to make later on in the year (if you can wait that long). Maple Dijon Cream Dressing: Maple syrup salad? It may sound strange, but sugary dark maple is a superb match for sharp Dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar. With greens, fruit, and nuts, this dressing adds a unique kick to the conventional salad. Or, for a heartier meal, use it as a dipping sauce or glaze for chicken. Either way you choose, this maple dressing is sure to be an ideal way to ring in spring! Maple Syrup Roasted Parsnip Bisque: Spring may be just around the corner, but not without a few chilly nights left in store. Keep out the cold with this creamy maple soup, an ideal appetizer or a meal in itself. This aromatic blend is a wonderful way to enjoy spring flavors while de-thawing from the long New-England winter. Maple-Mustard Cedar-Plank Salmon with Sweet-Onion Crust: This dish is every bit as fancy as it sounds, but surprisingly easy to make! The cedar plank brings out all the flavors of this rich salmon marinade for a hearty and healthy dish. Your salmon might come from Alaska, but it won’t be lacking in local flavor with the taste of rich maple syrup. This meal is an excellent way to get your maple fix on the main course.