Cooking with Authentic Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is versatile and delicious because of its sweetness and unique maple flavor. Although not inexpensive, it has the qualities to make baking projects shine. And if you search the internet, you’ll find thousands of recipes. Here a few rewarding but surprisingly simple recipes that don’t require a special shopping trip.

While there is an internet trend to personalize the cooking experience, I’m more of a facts-only recipe person without the drama. So let’s cook!

Maple Syrup Bars

List of Ingredients:
Base Layer
½ cup butter softened
¼ cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
If you’re an experimental baker, add a dash of cinnamon for an extra dimension of flavor.

Yummy Topping
1 cup authentic maple syrup
¾ cup brown sugar
½ cup walnuts, chopped (substitute with pecans, slivered almonds or leave out)
¼ cup butter
2 eggs

Step 1
Since this is a relatively easy recipe, start with preheating your oven to 350F. Combine the ingredients for the base layer: butter, brown sugar, and flour. Mixture will be crumbly; press into an 8-inch baking pan. Set your oven timer for 10 minutes. I check at 7 minutes to make sure. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Step 3
While you are waiting for the base to cook in a saucepan, combine only the following topping ingredients: maple syrup, brown sugar, nuts (optional) ( leave out butter for now), and bring to a soft boil. Stir occasionally while monitoring, and as soon as it boils, reduce the heat to medium-low and heat the mixture for 5 minutes. Add butter and stir until melted.

Step 3
Beat the eggs with flour and salt, add this mixture to the maple syrup mixture, and combine until blended. Pour over the base layer and bake for 25-30 minutes or until set. When the mixture no longer wobbles or the toothpick comes out clean, it is done.

Although it’s nearly impossible to resist the temptation to eat while warm, for best cutting results, cool completely.

To freeze leftover portions, cool completely and store in an airtight container. Wrap in aluminum foil as an extra precaution and will keep for 2-3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight.

Nutrition Information: yield: 12 serving size: 1
Amount Per Serving: calories: 317 total fat: 16g saturated fat: 8g transfat: 0g unsaturated fat: 7g cholesterol: 62mg sodium: 122mg carbohydrates: 43g fiber: 1g sugar: 31g protein: 3g

Maple Syrup isn’t just for dessert but lends itself nicely to savory dishes as well.

Maple Salmon

Ingredient List
¼ cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon garlic salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound salmon

Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a small bowl, combine maple syrup, soy sauce, minced garlic, garlic salt, and pepper.
Step 2
Bathe salmon in a shallow glass baking dish with maple syrup mixture. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, turning once.
Step 3
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Step 4
Bake salmon uncovered for 20 minutes, or until easily flaked with a fork. Uncooked salmon has a translucent appearance, but a slight translucency in the middle is okay.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving: 265 calories; protein 23.2g; carbohydrates 14.1g; fat 12.4g; cholesterol 67mg; sodium 633.1mg.


Bon Appetit