Eggs in Maple Syrup (Oeufs Dans le Sirop D’Erable)

Eggs in Maple Syrup (Oeufs Dans le Sirop D’Erable)

My mom, Diane, isn’t the sweet tooth in the family, her love of food is more savory, so I’m excited to be able to share a dessert she craves often and can’t live without – scrambled eggs cooked in maple syrup.  Yea, I know, it sounds odd, but it’s a very traditional dish in Quebec, especially during sugar shack season in the spring.  Think egg drop soup, but with maple syrup instead of broth.  Give it a try a let me (and my mom) know what you think!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup maple syrup (see ‘notes’ below)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • Vanilla ice cream (optional, sort of)

Directions:

  1. Bring the syrup to a boil in a small, heavy saucepan, over medium-high heat.  Once the syrup has begun to boil, turn heat to medium-low.
  2. In a medium bowl, break the eggs, then scramble them well using either a fork or a whisk.  Add salt to the eggs and stir to incorporate.
  3. Pour the egg mixture into the simmering syrup and stir with a wooden spoon to incorporate the egg into the hot syrup.  Cook for 3-4 minutes, then remove the saucepan from the heat and let sit to cool for about 15 minutes.
  4. Scoop ice cream in two bowls, divide eggs between the two bowls then spoon some cooking liquid onto the eggs and ice cream.

Makes 2 servings.

Notes: Don’t waste top notch maple syrup to bake or cook with, less fancy grade will do just fine and often offers stronger maple flavors.  This recipe can easily be doubled.  Letting the mixture cool off a bit before serving allows the syrup to thicken slightly, so don’t omit this step, no matter how difficult it will be!

Maple Taffee Goodness

Maple Taffee Goodness

Sugary Treat

Sugary Treat

So, who’s ever experienced maple taffee on snow? And who’s ever had that sweet smirk my niece has on her face after a taste?

Maple Taffee on Snow (Tire sur la Neige)

Maple Taffee on Snow 2

Maple Taffee on Snow 2

As my family began getting ready for the food frenzy my visit to Quebec would bring on, one thing that my oldest niece, Maude, wanted to be sure my sister would fix for us is Tire sur la Neige, or Maple Taffee on Snow.  This treat is one most popular at sugar shacks during maple syrup season, but great anytime there’s snow outside.

Ingredients:

  • 2 – 3 cups maple syrup
  • Freshly gathered snow packed tightly into a wide, low container

Directions:

  1. Maple Taffee on Snow

    Maple Taffee on Snow

    Pour the maple syrup into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil on high heat.  Reduce heat to medium and simmer until it reaches 240°F on a candy thermometer, approximately 4-5 minutes.

  2. Using a ladle,  drizzle some of the hot syrup onto the snow, making certain not to cover the entire surface (you can re-pour additional syrup after the first round of taffee is gone).
  3. Let the taffee set for a minute then pick up by rolling on a fork or wooden chopstick.

Notes:  Don’t have snow where you live?  Finely-crushed ice from a blender would work!

Maple Syrup Pie

Maple Syrup Pie

Not many dishes exemplify true Canadian goodness like the Maple Syrup Pie, known as Tarte Au Sirop D’Erable in French.  Served around the holidays, or for special occasions, this simple-to-make pie is both beautiful and delicious. My Grand-Mother probably would not approve of this microwaveable version, but those of us who have a limited amount of time to bake will be thankful. 

Tarte au Sirop D'Erable

Pie Ingredients:

  • 1 3/4 cups pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 1/4 cups whole milk
  • 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1  9-inch Press-In Shortbread Pie Crust, baked

Pie Directions:

  1. Place all pie ingredients, except for the crust, in a large, microwaveable bowl. Whisk well to incorporate all the ingredients. Note that there will initially be lumps due to the butter.
  2. Microwave on high for 9 minutes, whisking every 2 minutes to smooth out the mixture.
  3. Pour mixture into the baked pie crust and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

 

Serves 8-10.

Notes:  Pie can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated up to 4 days.  If doubled or tripled, the pies can easily be frozen wrapped in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil.