Maple Syrup As Defined In The Dictionary
Plus A Recipe For Sweet Rolls...
MUSINGS OF A HOMEMAKER
March 8, 1962
By Mary Anne Tuck
March 8, 1962
Houghton Lake Resorter
Weekly Newspaper
Houghton Lake, Michigan
As defined in the dictionary...
it’s a “sweet syrup made from certain types of Maple trees”.
To anyone who has just put away a mouthwatering breakfast of pancakes smothered in rich, brown, delicious Maple syrup;
the definition is sadly lacking.
We’ve read that less than 25% of all the Maple trees in Michigan are tapped each year for the thin, sweet tasting sap which boils down to Maple syrup as we know it.
If you’ve a Maple tree in your front yard which bears brilliantly colored leaves each fall, then why not put it to work in early spring and enjoy the results of your labors during the year ahead?
It’s still a little early for the sap to start running, but if you think you’d like to try it this year, you’d better begin to gather a few of the necessary items you’ll need. That will include a few spiles, a galvanized bucket or two, and a kettle to boil the sap down.
It’s an invigorating time of year to be outside for even brief periods. The effort involved, (there is a little work to it), is completely overshadowed by the taste treat for which you are in store.
It will take approximately five gallons of sap to make one cup of syrup. As we said, there is a little work involved; why not make it a family project? The kids will enjoy it!
We’d welcome any new or different recipes you’ve found for using the finished product. We’re especially interested in a recipe for making Maple sugar candy. If you have one, how about sending it to us and we’ll share it with all of you? Just address your recipe to The Resorter and we’ll give you credit.
In the meantime, we have a recipe for sweet rolls for that little extra touch to a week-day meal.
Sweet Rolls
1 cake compressed yeast in tbsp. of warm water and 1 tbsp. sugar. Then add 1 cup lukewarm water, also 1/2 cup shortening, melted, scant 1/2 cup sugar, 3 beaten eggs, 4 cups flour with 1/4 tsp salt. After mixing, place in refrigerator over night. Divide dough in half. Roll out to 1/4 inch thick. Cut each half like a pie until you have 16 pieces in each half. Start rolling from big end. Place on cookie sheet and let raise 2 hours. Bake at 400 deg for 15 minutes.
Sound good? It is!
