Celebrating Maple Season With Delicious Recipes

Though often times we think of maple syrup as an autumnal ingredient, the fact is that maple syrup season is right now.  Always around the end of January / February, the sap starts to flow and is well on the way to becoming maple syrup.

The season requires 40 degree days and freezing nights, and as soon as this happens, we’re in sweet business.  And, since we’re enjoying almost spring-like temperatures here in the northeast, that means that maple syrup season is in full swing.

In celebration of this short, but very sweet season, I’m sharing a few delicious recipes, all incorporating maple syrup.

Take these Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts, for example.   Covered with olive oil, maple syrup and a hint of dijon mustard, these Brussel sprouts are so, so good.  Easy to make, they can be a quick side dish to your weeknight meal.  Recipe found here.

How about some Maple Glazed Bacon with Cracked Pepper.  And why not!  Have your butcher cut you some 1/2 inch slices of bacon.  Baste with maple syrup and sprinkle with cracked black pepper and bake in the oven.  You can cut the glazed bacon in to lardons and toss with pasta, sprinkle over a red leaf lettuce salad with a Maple Vinaigrette, or you can even eat it on its own.  Any way you choose, you’ll be in heaven.  Bacon and vinaigrette recipes found here.

Maple syrup pairs so nicely with pork, and here, I’m sharing my Chipotle-Maple Pork Tenderloin.  The combination of maple syrup and the smokey heat flavor of the chipotle go well together and compliments the flavor of the pork tenderloin.  Recipe found here.

And how about this for dessert!  Maple Ice Cream.  I absolutely love to make ice cream right here at home.  To me, there’s nothing like it, and this Maple Ice Cream is sinfully delicious.  Recipe found here.

So celebrate maple syrup season and whip up these recipes.  They’re easy and oh so good!!