Sugar and Ice

Snow Day!!

We were up at 5:30 listening to the radio hoping to hear the announcement that we dared not speak of last night to to ensure that weekend homework would be completed and to avoid children being bitterly disappointed this morning. Then it came: All NYC schools will be closed today due to the snow storm. Fantastic. After traveling all week last week, I needed this extra day.

Growing up in New England, after a good snow storm and a morning full of fort building and snowball fights we would sometimes be treated to maple syrup drizzled over fresh snow.

This afternoon offers the perfect opportunity to indulge.

1 c. maple syrup - the real stuff!
snow - piled on a dinner plate
pickles (optional - see note below)

Bring maple syrup to boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to avoid it boiling over.

The mixture is ready 6 to 7 minutes after it boils (255 degrees on a candy thermometer). It should stiffen when dripped onto a plate.

Remove from heat and cool for 2 minutes before pouring over the snow. The syrup will turn onto lovely chewy sweet drizzles of maple.

After sampling the syrup, bite a pickle. I never do this but it's to cut the sweetness. Enjoy!