What is it?

We’re talking about the real stuff here, not Aunt Jemima: Syrup made from the boiled-down sap of sugar maple trees. There’s probably a bottle of pure maple syrup in your refrigerator right now, awaiting your next batch of pancakes. But if that’s all you’re using it for, you’re missing out. Maple syrup adds an earthy sweetness to savory sauces, marinades, vinaigrettes, and glazes. Its distinctive flavor pairs well with meats like pork and salmon, peppery spices like ginger and cayenne, and condiments like mustard, vinegar, and soy sauce.

How to choose:

Maple syrup comes in various shades of amber, and these color gradations correlate directly to flavor. The darker the syrup, the more pronounced its flavor. The official grading of syrup also relates to its color: It goes from fancy to grade A, grade B, and grade C, getting darker with the “lower” grades. For cooking, grade B is the one to seek out, for its intense, almost caramelly flavor. It’s not as widely available as the lighter grade A, but can be found in natural foods stores and online.

How to store:

Once opened, maple syrup should be refrigerated. Glass containers maintain flavor better than plastic and metal. If mold develops, remove it, strain the syrup, and bring to a boil. Let cool and keep refrigerated. Maple syrup keeps indefinitely in the freezer.

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Recipes

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  Maple Cream Pie

  Maple syrup should be rebranded as a cheery symbol for aging; when it’s new and light, the sap has little complexity. It only becomes sweet and luscious, bold and wise,…

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  Recipe

  Plum Tarte Tatin

  This dessert is the perfect showcase for juicy, ripe plums. Frozen puff pastry provides a great upgrade for the traditional pastry crust. This recipe is excerpted from 5 Ingredients: Quick…

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  Grilled Corn on the Cob with Maple-Lime-Chile Butter

  Of the many ways to grill corn, I like this method best: I shuck the corn, rub it with butter, and wrap it in foil with a few herb sprigs.…

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  Overnight French Toast Muffins

  A true crowd pleaser, this dish offers the best of two breakfast favorites: the classic flavor of French toast packaged in the easy grab-and-go shape of muffins. Since the preparation…

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  Recipe

  Maple-Bacon Ginger Cookies

  Savory bacon and sweet maple syrup give a modern spin to classic ginger cookies. Just like the classics, these are crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. If…

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  Recipe

  Cranberry Fool Chocolate Tart

  A swirl of tart cranberries and tangy whipped cream nestles perfectly into a buttery crumb crust for a dessert that’s casual enough for weeknights but fancy enough for a holiday.…

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  Recipe

  Steak Salad with Plums and Gorgonzola

  This simple but elegant main-dish salad features grilled skirt steak, ripe juicy plums, fresh greens, and Gorgonzola. What’s not to like?

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  Layered Summer Salad

  这个salad-in-a-glasstwo great things: The presentation makes a hearty salad much more visually appealing. Also, by using grains and beans as accents (instead of weighing down the salad…

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  Recipe

  Grilled Peaches with Maple-Cardamom Butter and Ginger Ice Cream

  Grilling stone fruits such as peaches and nectarines is easy as long as your fruit is just ripe but still firm. The flavor of warm grilled fruit is enchanting—especially when…

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  Recipe

  Peanut Butter-Banana Smoothie

  This classic smoothie has all the perfect breakfast items blended into the perfect drink. Try it with almond or sunflower butter instead of peanut butter.