When we talk about maple syrup, our thoughts go straight to a mountain of fluffy pancakes garnished with fresh fruit and a sweet amber liquid with an unmistakable taste and colour.
But the combination pancakes-maple syrup is not the only one in the kitchen.
In recent years, in fact, maple syrup has earned a place of honor in the pantries of our homes and have discovered unusual and creative combinations that see it protagonist both in sweet and salty preparations.
Let’s discover 10 alternative uses of maple syrup in the kitchen.
To sweeten the drinks
and in cocktails
The Maple syrup is an excellent alternative to sugar in hot drinks such as tea, herbal teas, coffee or milk but also in juices and syrups.
It is also used in mixology, to give a pleasant sweet note (but not caloric) and colored a cocktail alcoholic or non-alcoholic. It is masterfully combined with Old Fashioned, an aperitif cocktail made with bourbon, angostura bitter and orange essence, usually sweetened with sugar: replacing sugar with maple syrup, the cocktail acquires complexity and sweetness.
Thanks to its refreshing, antioxidant and remineralizing powers, added to water becomes a drink suitable for those who practice sports: an excellent energizing and revitalizing supplement.
For the preparation of the granola
The maple syrup can be used instead of honey in the preparation ofhome-made granola.
The granola is a delicious and crunchy mix of oat flakes and dried fruit plus a sweet “sticky” part that is put to dry in the oven and consumed during breakfast.
It’s very substantial and it’s also the basis for making energy bars.
Consumed in yogurt or milk is an excellent breakfast balanced and rich in energy.
Eaten alone, become a greedy, healthy and nutritious hunger-breaker.
Discover our recipe of Granola with maple syrup.
As a sweetener in cakes and cookies
As a sugar substitute the maple syrup can be used to sweeten the dough of cakes, doughnuts, shortbread or biscuits.
If you use maple syrup as an alternative to sugar in baked goods and desserts, you should keep in mind a simple conversion: 75 g of maple syrup sweetens like 100 g of refined sugar.
Also remember to reduce the amount of liquid ingredients in the recipe by about 30% and lower the cooking temperature by 25 ºC.
Among our recipes you will find many inspirations for new and delicious desserts.
In combination with cheese
Like the sweet fruit or vegetable compotes or jams, the maple syrup is a perfect accompaniment to the cheese board. The flavor of the cheeses
goes perfectly with the aromatic and enveloping sweetness of maple syrup.
The Gold variety with a delicate taste and sweet notes of caramel goes perfectly with the barely aged cheeses, while the Very Dark variety with a stronger taste is ideal with the more mature and tasty cheeses.
To prepare Asian dishes
In Asian cuisine, especially Indonesian and Thai, the maple syrup is used to glaze tofu, seitan and tempeh and to prepare delicious dishes, such as Pad Thai, where tofu and noodles are seasoned with a delicious sauce made from maple syrup, peanut butter, tamari sauce, a pinch of chili, garlic and lime juice.
Try our proposal of tofu stew in lemon sauce and maple syrup a dish with oriental scents, vegan, healthy and tasty.
For glazing meat or fish
Maple syrup is a condiment typical of the North-American tradition where it is used to marinate chicken, pork and turkey, as a reduction to glaze roast or to prepare a tastybarbecue sauce
Prepare a tasty marinade for the meat by mixing the maple syrup with lemon juice, salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil. Due to its sugary nature it is perfect for glazing the meat plate.
Among the typical dishes of Canadian cuisine there is the Salmon glazed with maple syrup and dill: with the cooking the maple syrup gives the salmon a delicious crust slightly golden and a very inviting scent.
For the baked vegetables
If you love to eat healthy without sacrificing taste can indulge yourself using maple syrup in many vegetable-based uprights. Combined with salt and lemon juice is perfect for preparing delicious Caramelized vegetables.
Roast baked vegetables s a great classic, great both on cold winter evenings and in summer once warmed.
Just place the vegetables on a baking tray – the ones that go best with maple syrup are pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots and Brussels cakes- and sprinkle them with a seasoning based on olive oil, salt, pepper, sweet or smoked paprika and maple syrup.
To season the salads
Even in the hottest seasons, you can flavor your vegetable dishes with unusual maple syrup-based dressing.
Mix the maple syrup with olive oil, salt, pepper, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and, optionally, mustard, ginger or soy sauce and get a really tasty seasoning and unusually sweet-sour flavor, suitable for seasoning any type of salad or steamed vegetables.
Maple syrup is a delicious ingredient to prepare for sweet and sour vegetables or to season grilled vegetables.
With maple syrup you can cook dishes that combine line and palate.
To caramelize the popcorn
Caramelize the popcorn with maple syrup is very simple, just mix the popcorn – homemade and not salted – with caramel prepared with maple syrup, water and sugar (little).
Once they are wrapped in this delicious amber liquid, spread them out on a sheet of baking paper and wait for them to cool down to enjoy them in front of a nice film.
On ice cream and fruit salad
Maple syrup is always the best solution if you want to make ice cream, creams or fruit salad without exceeding calories.
Have you ever tried it in tiramisu?