Cooking with maple syrup has always been a Canadian tradition, especially during the sugar shack season in the spring. But there’s no reason why you can’t use it year-round in many different recipes that go far beyond maple ham and snow taffy. Here are some recipe ideas for cooking with maple syrup, no matter the occasion.

Savoury dishes

1. Maple and soy chicken legs by Ricardo

   In this perfect weekday dinner recipe, maple syrup is used generously in the sweet, salty and slightly spicy sauce, thanks to soy sauce and sambal oelek. And if your barbecue is still under a pile of snow, simply replace cooking the accompanying vegetables in the recipe on the grill by cooking them on a baking sheet.

   Try this recipe: MAPLE AND SOY CHICKEN LEGS BY RICARDO

2. Maple-bacon poutine

   It’s impossible to resist this next-level poutine! Its unctuous sauce is made with cream, chicken broth and mustard along with a hint of maple syrup. Chopped bacon that’s grilled until crispy is then mixed into the sauce. For the more practical side of this recipe, we use frozen fries to save time and avoid taking the fryer out.

   Try this recipe: MAPLE-BACON POUTINE

3. Maple-grilled salmon and Brussels sprouts

   Maple can also find its place in a weekday meal that’s healthy and nutritious. Here, it’s added to a sauce with oil, garlic and Dijon mustard and used to coat Brussels sprouts that are grilled in the oven, but it is also brushed on the salmon fillets that are cooked on a baking sheet.

   Try this recipe: MAPLE-GRILLED SALMON AND BRUSSEL SPROUTS

4. Maple tofu with Asian-style noodles and sesame beans

   In this recipe, we give veggies some sweetness for a meal that is ready in less than 25 minutes and combines maple syrup, soy sauce and garlic in a sauce that tops grilled tofu. It’s served with Asian noodles and green beans flavoured with sesame oil.

   Try this recipe: MAPLE TOFU WITH ASIAN-STYLE NOODLES & SESAME BEANS

5. Maple-glazed carrots

   To give personality to a simple side dish, you can bet on maple syrup. For this recipe, cooked carrots are glazed with butter and maple syrup for 7 to 8 minutes in the pan. Even the kids will want to eat all their vegetables!

   Try this recipe: MAPLE-GLAZED CARROTS

Sweet dishes

6. Peach-maple muffins

   Prepare a good batch of these muffins that are perfect as a snack for a coffee break, a dessert to put in the lunch box or a little hit of sweet to satisfy a late-night craving. Made with whole wheat flakes and whole wheat flour, they’re packed with nutrients, but with a deliciously sweet flavour.

   Try this recipe: PEACH-MAPLE MUFFINS

7. Spiced maple-walnut cheesecake

   Rich and creamy, cheesecake is a definite favourite. It’s also super-versatile and can be flavoured easily. Here we use pumpkin pie spice and a generous amount of maple syrup. The graham cracker crust is easy to make, but the cake will need to be refrigerated for a few hours before serving.

   Try this recipe: SPICED MAPLE-WALNUT CHEESECAKE

8. Maple walnut apple crisp

   Apple season may be in full swing during the fall, but apples are found year-round in grocery stores. Why not combine two iconic local products? This dessert can be prepared in just 15 minutes before popping it in the oven. Enjoy with a generous scoop of ice cream.

   Try this recipe: MAPLE WALNUT APPLE CRISP

9. Maple fondue

   If you’re looking for a dessert that can be cooked quickly, how about a maple fondue for a change from the traditional chocolate? You only need cream, maple syrup and cornstarch to make it happen and dive in with fresh fruit, pieces of pound cake or plain doughnuts.

   Try this recipe: MAPLE FONDUE

10. Maple swirls

    Keep this recipe in mind for those evenings when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to cook. Use commercial croissant dough and cut it into slices that you drizzle with a mixture of cream and maple syrup before baking, for pure and simple pleasure.

    Try this recipe: MAPLE SWIRLS