March 25 & 26, 2023
It’s that time of year again! The nights are cold, the days are warm, which means sap is flowing! Here’s everything you need to know about Maine Maple Sunday including local events and some maple-y recipes!
For those new to the tradition, Maine Maple Sunday is a special time when sugar houses across the state of Maine open their doors and welcome visitors to learn about the syrup making process. Not only is this an educational opportunity, but many farms offer games and entertainment as well. Visit the Maine Maple Producers Association website for a full list of Sugar Shacks. Here’s our list of Sugar Shacks in York County!
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207 Tappers – 125 Dennett Road, Biddeford, ME 04005
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Alderwood Farms, Inc – 52 Elm Street, Limerick, ME 04048
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Brookridge Boilers – 2114 Alfred Road (Route 111) Lyman, ME 04002
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Cole Farm Maple – 13 Cole Farm Road, Dayton, ME 04005
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Douston Maple & Honey – 251 Old Alfred Road, Arundel, ME 04046
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Dunn Family Maple – 419 Chicopee Road, Buxton, ME 04093
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Giles Family Farm – 100 Shaker Hill Road, Alfred, ME
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You can visit their farm store at 139 Waterboro Road, Alfred, ME 04002 for all sorts of provisions and local produce, too!
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Harris Farm – 280 Buzzell Road, Dayton, ME 04005
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Hilltop Boilers Maple Syrup – 157 & 159 Elm Street, Newfield, ME 04056
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Pingree Maple Products – 90 High Road, Cornish, ME 04020
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Scenic View Sugaring – 90 Sokokis Trail N., Limerick, ME 04048
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Thurston & Peters Sugarhouse, LLC – 299 Bond Spring Road, West Newfield, ME 04095
Maine Maple Producers has a number of Maple recipes you can choose from on their website. One of the yummy recipes we can’t wait to try on their website is:
Crisp Edged Maple Oatmeal Cookies
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6 tablespoons butter
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1/2 cup Maine maple syrup
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1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
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1 egg
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1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon backing soda pinch of allspice
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1/2 cup rolled oats (not instant)
Directions: Sift or thoroughly stir together the flour, salt, soda, and allspice. Cream the butter, then beat in the syrup, lemon rind, and egg. Stir in the dry ingredients, then the oatmeal. Drop by teaspoons on a lightly buttered baking sheet and spread flat with a knife blade. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes, until the edges are well browned, then cool on wire racks. Centers will remain slightly cakey, edges will crisp as they cool. Makes about 3 dozen.
Need something a little more robust? Sometimes cookies can pass for dinner, but not always! Here’s something maple-y and scrumptious from Food + Wine:
Maple-Glazed Chicken Breast with Mustard Jus
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1 tablespoon unsalted butter
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1 cup fresh bread crumbs
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1 tablespoon chopped parsley
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Salt and freshly ground pepper
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1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
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Four 6-ounce boneless chicken breast halves, with skin
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2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
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1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
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1/2 cup chicken stock
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2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 450°. In a large ovenproof skillet, melt the butter. Stir in the bread crumbs and cook over moderate heat until golden. Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a plate and let cool. Wipe out the skillet.
Add the olive oil to the skillet and heat until shimmering. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add it to the skillet, skin side down. Cook over moderately high heat until the skin is browned, 3 minutes. Flip the chicken and roast in the oven for 7 minutes, until just cooked through.
Return the skillet to the burner. Add the syrup and vinegar; bring to a boil. Turn the chicken skin side down and cook until richly glazed, about 30 seconds; transfer to plates skin side up. Add the stock to the skillet and boil until reduced by one-third, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the mustard and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce over the chicken. Top with the bread crumbs and serve.
Tell us if you have a favorite recipe for enjoying Maple Syrup, and we’ll add it to next year’s blog!