15 uses and recipes for birch syrup

So, you have seen our limited edition product, birch syrup, but don’t know how you could use it in the kitchen? Here are a few ideas for you!

Produced in Escuminac, located in the Baie-des-Chaleurs, Gaspésie, Quebec, from the sap of yellow birch trees, Escuminac Birch Syrup has a distinctive rich caramel flavour with notes of molasses.

Escuminac Birch Syrup is the only birch syrup in the country that is 100% certified organic by Écocert Canada. It was also selected as one of the Top 10 winning products at the annual Trends and Innovations Awards 2011 at SIAL, Canada’s international food trade show. It has also won a prestigious UK GreatTaste Award in 2018 and 2019.

In terms of culinary applications, it is extremely versatile, lending itself to both sweet and savoury dishes.

15 Ways to Use Birch Syrup

• Fancy fish

  – whisk together 2 tbsp (30ml) birch syrup, 2 tbsp (30ml) grapeseed oil, 2 tbsp (30ml) lemon juice, 1 tbsp (15ml) light soy sauce, half clove of minced garlic and 1/4 tsp(1ml) minced fresh ginger. Pour over broiled salmon or white fish and voilà, fancy fish!

• Pairs perfectly with blue cheese

  – drizzle 1 tbsp (15ml) of birch syrup over 2 grilled portobello mushrooms, crumble good-quality blue cheese over top and sprinkle with fresh ground pepper.

• Take it up a notch! Elevate a composed salad with this simple, yet refined dressing

  : 3 tbsp (45 ml) canola oil, 1 tbsp(15ml) extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp (15ml) red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp (15ml) birch syrup, 1/2 tsp (2ml) dry mustard, pinch each of sugar, salt and pepper.Whisk ingredients and pour over a Cobb salad, chef’s salad or even a Nicoise salad!

• Butter up your beef with aBirch Syrup Chipotle Compound Butter

  – stir together 1/2 lb (250g) softened unsalted butter, 2 tbsp (30ml) birch syrup, 1 tbsp (15ml) dried chipotle flakes. Roll into log, cover with plastic wrap and chill until hardened. Cut into coins and serve on steak!

• “Eggceptional” pairing

  – a drop of birch syrup over a soft boiled egg equals a quick, delicious breakfast or snack throughout the day.

• Add zip to plain chips and fries

  – mix birch syrup and mayo with a dash of hot sauce for an exciting new dip.

• Serve the classic hors d’œuvre of chicken liver pâté on a cracker with a few drops of birch syrup.

• Sultry snack

  – toss 3 cups (750ml) of walnuts with 2 tbsp (30ml) melted butter, 2 tbsp (30ml) of birch syrup and a pinch of salt and roast in a 350 Fahrenheit (180 Celcius) oven until lightly brown, about 15 minutes.

• Posh hot toddy

  – shot of cognac, lemon slice studded with 2 cloves, a generous drop of birch syrup and boiled water makes for a cozy evening.

• Oatmeal done right

  – garnish your bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar, cinnamon, pecan pieces and 1 tsp (5ml) of birch syrup, adding more syrup if desired.

• “O Canada”

  – update the classic peameal sandwich with a spoonful of birch syrup, slices of Canadian cheddar and honey Dijon mustard.

• Cheese board complements

  – choose soft, semi-soft, firm/hard and blue cheese for an appetizer or after-dinner course. Drizzle birch syrup over room temperature cheeses and serve with fresh or dried fruit, nuts and crackers. Cheese suggestions include: Salt Spring Island goat cheese, Le Roitelet Brie, Jensen aged cheddar and Picobello.

• Real Canadian Cocktail

  – 2oz Rye whiskey, 1/4oz birch syrup, 2 dashes of Agnostura bitters, ice and garnish with crisp, smoked bacon.

• Dress up roasted vegetable soup

  (ex.: butternut squash soup) with a swirl of birch syrup and fresh sage.

• Yummy pair

  – the deep richness of birch syrup highlights dried fruit recipes with raisins, prunes, dates and figs so experiment and have fun!

Let your creativity go wild, and get inspired with flavors.

Want to try it ? You can order here.

These ideas were brought by culinary expert Soo Kim.