March into Maple Month with Delicious Dinners

Across the region, the month of March welcomes the sweetest season of them all: maple sugaring season. Mark your calendars now because both New Hampshire and Vermont will celebrate their annual statewide Maple Weekends on March 21 and 22 this year, with maple syrup producers opening their sugarhouse doors for tours, samples, goodies and more. It goes without saying that maple syrup is the often sweetener of choice for pouring over breakfast dishes like pancakes or French toast, as well as flavoring a wide variety of baked goods and sweet treats, but maple can also be used in a multitude of dinner entrees too. You may not think of maple when you envision fish recipes, but this maple and soy glazed salmon is just one example of a quick and delicious dinner recipe that incorporates syrup into a mouthwatering sauce. Maple also makes an ideal addition to chicken marinades, or barbecue sauces for basting grilled meats. This glazed salmon is one of my favorite weeknight recipes because it's super quick and easy to throw together when you're short on time. I usually cook my salmon in the air fryer right along with my vegetables, like the roasted squash slices pictured here. And the sauce reduction? I drizzle that delightful stuff just like gravy over my entire meal. The sriracha and garlic give it a nice kick of heat that balances out the sweetness of the syrup. The original recipe removes the salmon skin, but I tend to leave it on while I cook my fish. If it doesn't crisp up and I feel like removing while eating, then I pass those Omega-3 health benefits on to my grateful pup. So, don't get stuck in a maple syrup rut this month and look beyond the breakfast basics. It's an ingredient that can take any meal up a notch to the next level of sweet and savory flavor satisfaction. Maple Soy Glazed Salmon Adapted from skinnytaste.com Ingredients: 3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup 3 Tbsp. soy sauce 1 Tbsp. Sriracha hot sauce 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced 4 6-oz. salmon fillets Instructions: Combine maple syrup, soy sauce, sriracha and garlic in a small bowl, pour into a gallon-sized resealable bag or flat-bottomed container with lid and add the salmon. Marinate for at least 20 minutes (or more if desired), turning occasionally. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Remove fish from marinade, place on baking sheet and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. (You can also cook this in a skillet or in an air fryer at 400 degrees for 7 or 8 minutes, depending on fillet thickness.) While it cooks, pour marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, reducing until it thickens into a glaze. Spoon over fish before serving.