It’s March 23rd already! With just under a month left in our 10-week season, it sure is going by so quickly!
It’s so good to celebrate the official start of Spring, the first boil to kick off production, our awesome staff and of course, you – our long-time customers and brand new visitors alike.
March Break was a glorious, fun filled week with kids of all ages feasting on maple taffy. Our eldest guest was 94 years young. One lucky youngster gained a “I lost my tooth” sticker when a loose tooth popped while enjoying a maple taffy!
There was a multitude of gleeful squeals on the sliding hill, happy chats on Mitchell’s horse drawn sleighrides and awe struck admiration for Chad our Outdoor Educator at the campfire. So many great, sweet memories for kids and adults alike.
The Tasting Bar
I never dreamt I would one day would become a bartender but now it’s my favourite “ job”, chatting with folks at our new Tasting Bar. Here are some comments:
“It tastes like spring.” (Sap Sucker Lime flavoured sap)
“This is the best farm store I’ve ever visited.”
“Today was better than Great Wolf Lodge.” (9 year old)
“Hot… but so much flavour! A perfect addition to soups, stews, wings, charcuterie boards”. (Sizzlin’ Maple Hot Sauce)
“Oh, that is so moisturizing and smooth.” (Maple Luscious Lotion)
“This would make an awesome grilled cheese.” (Millbank Maple Cheese)
(I, of course, then share my favourite recipe for the perfect maple grilled cheese sandwich!)
Perfect Maple Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Butter one side of your favourite bread and place that (buttered side down) in a frying pan or grill. Add thin slices of maple cheese and a sharp cheese of your choice along with a thinly sliced pear or tart apple. Spread some maple butter on the other piece of bread and place it on top of the fruit. Be sure to butter the outer side of this piece of bread as well. Slowly grill to crispy perfection and carefully turn over to finish grilling on the other side of the sandwich. Decadent!!
Maple Infusions
The Maple Infusions are a hit even though some folks were a little hesitant… “we like our maple syrup straight up” but after tasting – they were sold. The hardest part was to decide which ones to try: Chocolate, Coffee, Vanilla, Jalapeno (best seller), Cinnamon, Coconut.
There is much discussion at the bar of how they would cook and bake with the Infused Syrups and it has been so great to get feedback and suggestions. I feel encouraged to continue researching products to produce on-site and to continue to source Ontario made gourmet food and gifts.
There’s still lots of time to visit. Come chat with me at our new Tasting Bar. You will be amazed!
– Shirley
