Tuesday, March 26, 2013

La Cabane a Sucre ~ Chez Nous!



Growing up in Quebec, la cabane a sucre has always been part of our traditions. I remember going to the "sugar shack" every year. As kids, we'd go with our class on school trips and learn how maple syrup is made. We'd end the excursion with a feast! We'd have a huge breakfast...Quebec style! In other words, our eggs, bacon, sausages, pancakes all slathered with delicious maple syrup. Ahhh! Sweet ambrosia!

Now, I have my own cabane a sucre experience chez nous!

I never imagined moving to the countryside and living on a farm, but I have to say that this is by far one of my favourite things about country living. Making our own maple syrup has become something fun to do with Hubby, Little One, and my students when I was teaching (before putting teaching on  hold for social media).


I'm glad our little one is able to experience this every year on our farm. This is one of my most cherished childhood memories. I hope it will become one of hers too.

{ Easy Maple Syrup Salad Dressing }
Ingredients:
1/2 c. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp tahini
Maple Syrup
Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed and not from a bottle)
Garlic, minced (2 or 3 cloves. You can use less, but I love my garlic!)
Salt

* Everyone always asks for exact measurements, for the maple syrup and lemon juice, but just adjust according to your taste. About 1 tbs or two each will do. I sometimes use more. I have a friend who just uses maple syrup and lemon juice and nothing else and that's delicious on a salad as is!

Add ingredients in a mason jar, cover with lid and shake to emulsify. Pour over your favourite salad greens (we even use this on cucumbers for a cucumber salad). You can add nuts and dried cranberries or pear slices and goat cheese to your salad too. This dressing is a favourite in our house.

Store unused salad dressing in fridge

9 comments:

Positively Pampered Patty said...

So exciting!!! You know I know where you're coming from with the cabane a sucre. Your little one is going to have a blast! Not to mention you and your hubby. Lol now you have something new to bring to conferences for everyone!!

Unknown said...

Patty:
Ha! So true! This is what I love about this time of the year on the farm! We've been doing maple syrup for maybe 5 years now. I'll make sure to bring you some next time I see you :) xo

JenniferGrace1 said...

You make the sugar shack sound so french and exciting :) I used to make maple syrup as a kid and still to this day LOVE the taste can't eat pancakes without the real stuff.

Unknown said...

Quebec too? Girl where haven't you lived?

That is amazing you make your own, what a skill you are teaching LO. We have a few Maples I may suggest tapping them to my DH, I am sure it has crossed his mind a time or two.

Yes my foodie friend I will be giving your dressing a try! Thanks

Unknown said...

JenniferGrace:
Growing up in Quebec, it was always "la cabane a sucre" to us. I only learned the name "Sugar Shack" a few years ago!!! LOL!

I'm with you. I can't eat pancakes with anything BUT real maple syrup!!!

Unknown said...

Tammy:
:) I was born in Toronto, but grew up in Montreal! I spent 23 years in Montreal!

We should meet up for a foodie date when I'm in the GTA!

caninecologne said...

Great photos and what a lovely tradition!

Can't wait to make the simplified maple syrup dressing (maple syrup and lemon juice). I still have that can from NuggleMama waiting to be used!

Unknown said...

I've heard so many great things about this! I have family members who go every year and say it's so much fun. We have a Maple Syrup place right near where we live that we enjoy going to, but this one sounds like something we should check out someday as well :)

Jenna Em said...

Christine, I always loved going to Bruce's Mill in the GTA and watching maple syrup made. I loved how you could see the whole process from tree to bottle. The smell was unreal...and I loved how you could buy maple syrup candy at the end!

Jenna

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About the Blog Author


City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
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