“Oh, hello there, so glad you could meet me.
Transcription
“Oh, hello there, so glad you could meet me.
“Oh, hello there, so glad you could meet me. Do you smell that? I think they’re boiling down the maple sap into maple syrup. Let’s go and see if we can get some maple syrup to make a simple, wonderful maple taffy treat all Quebecers enjoy. Come along with me.” Make sure to use 100% pure maple syrup, it tastes so good! You may be familiar with Fancy Grade “A” maple syrup but for this recipe, the Grade “B” or #2 Amber is packed with flavor and will give you the best results. You can use Grade ”A” Light Amber if that is all you have. Choose your cooking method: microwave is very quick but it can also be made easily on the stove top even if you don’t have a candy thermometer. 1 Maple Taffy On-the-snow microwave method INGREDIENTS: • • • 1 cup/240ml pure maple syrup Butter Fresh snow or crushed ice YOU WILL NEED: • • • • Measuring cup Large glass container Wooden stir sticks or a spoon, or a fork Shallow baking dish or pie plate GET STARTED! • Put some clean, fresh snow in a baking dish or a pie plate. Pack it down so it will be very compact and the top should be smooth. Store in the freezer until you are ready with the maple taffy. 2 • Pour the maple syrup in your microwavable glass container and butter the rim; this will prevent the maple syrup from boiling over and making a mess in your microwave! • Microwave at high for 8 minutes. • Remove from oven and be very careful as container and syrup will be extremely hot. • Transfer maple syrup into a small container with a pouring spout, such as a glass measuring cup or pitcher, and drizzle in short strips on the packed snow. • After about 20-40 seconds, it firms up to soft taffy and you can then roll it onto a wooden stir stick or popsicle stick to eat it. • Be careful: it’s still hot but it will melt deliciously in your mouth! 3 Maple Taffy On-the-snow stove top method INGREDIENTS: • • 1 cup/240ml pure maple syrup Fresh snow or crushed ice YOU WILL NEED: • • • • • Measuring cup Deep Pot Candy thermometer (or a clear glass of cold water) Wooden stir sticks or a spoon, or a fork Shallow baking dish or pie plate GET STARTED! • Put some clean, fresh snow in a baking dish or a pie plate. Pack it down so it will be very compact and the top should be smooth. Store in the freezer until you are ready with the maple taffy. 4 • In your deep pot over medium heat, bring the maple syrup slowly to boil without stirring, until the thermometer indicates 235oF /113oC, or the “soft-ball” stage, which can take up to 40 minutes. • SOFT-BALL STAGE: When you drop a small amount of syrup in cold water, it becomes a soft, flexible ball and would flatten quickly when removed from the water. • Transfer maple syrup into a smaller heat-resistant container with a pouring spout, such as a glass measuring cup, and drizzle in short strips on the packed snow. • After about 20-40 seconds, it firms up to soft taffy and you can then roll it onto a wooden stir stick or popsicle stick to eat it. • Be careful: it’s still hot but it will melt deliciously in your mouth! 5 To enjoy some more next week, you can even roll a few extra sticks and store them in the freezer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper. Enjoy this traditional sugar shack treat from Quebec! By Annie Boulanger © 2010 www.MyWorldKitchen.com 6