Sunday, June 14, 2009

Maple Rhubarb Pie

The perfect end to your spring BBQ or picnic

3 cups rhubarb, cut up
2/3 cup pure maple syrup
1 egg
2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
Pinch of salt

Beat the egg, then add the sugar, maple syrup and flour. Mix thoroughly, and then stir in the rhubarb.

Bake in a two-crust pie at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, and then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 30 minutes.

Fresh Fruit Salad with Maple Syrup

A sophisticated and elegant twist on a very simple dessert.
(serves 5)


1/2 cup pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons orange or almond flavored liqueur,
or rum or cognac (optional)
4 cups fresh fruit pieces (strawberries, peaches, apples, grapefruit, orange, banana, cantaloupe, blueberries, kiwi fruit, etc.)

Mix maple syrup and liqueur together. Gently stir maple syrup mixture into fresh fruit pieces. Allow to stand for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Serve chilled. Great with plain yogurt or ice cream!

Grilled Maple Sweet Potato Slices

Flavored with maple syrup and cinnamon, grilled sweet potatoes are a unique alternative to regular potatoes

2 sweet potatoes
1 large zip-lock bag
½ cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
Aluminum foil

Wash sweet potatoes and slice lengthwise about 1/4-inch thick. Place maple syrup, cinnamon, and brown sugar in zip lock bag, add sliced sweet potatoes and let air out before you seal up. Mix with your fingers so that all the slices are coated. Marinate in fridge until ready to cook.

When ready to grill, place entire contents of bag in foil and close up, poke some vent holes on top so steam can escape and put on grill for about 5-7 minutes. They should be tender but still crisp.

Take out of foil and grill to brown more if desired.

Maple Salmon with Asparagus

A quick and delicious spring dinner (Serves 2)

2 salmon steaks
Olive oil or butter
¼ cup pure maple syrup
10 stalks fresh asparagus
Slivered almonds for garnish

Prepare Salmon Steaks
Sauté in heavy fry pan in small amount of hot olive oil or butter until brown and then turn to brown the other side. Remove from pan and drain oil.

Return salmon to hot pan and pour 1/4 cup maple syrup over the steaks. After a couple of minutes turn the steak again to coat the other side. Serve hot.

Prepare Sautéed Asparagus
In a fry pan, heat a small amount of olive oil. Toss in fresh asparagus and sauté until heated through. This takes less than five minutes.

Garnish with slivered almonds.

Maple Ginger Glaze

Great on the BBQ with chicken, pork, or salmon (serves 6)

1/2 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Heat olive oil or melt butter in saucepan. Sauté garlic until lightly browned. Add maple syrup and simmer for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Grill meat on the first side for 6 minutes, then turn and brush the seared side generously with the glaze. Cook for another 6 minutes, and turn again. Brush with the glaze and cook for 1 minute. Remove from grill and serve. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Maple Classic Dressing




A hint of maple flavor adds complexity to a simple dressing. (makes 1 cup)



1/3 cup cider or balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

Whisk together the vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, garlic, and pepper. Gradually whisk in the oil. Drizzle the dressing over salad greens and toss before serving.

Refrigerate the remaining dressing.