Spicy Maple Butter Food

SPICY MAPLE CORNISH HENS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Pat the game hens dry and place on the prepared rack. Mix the butter, 1/3 cup maple syrup and 2 tablespoons brown sugar with the salt and all the spices in a bowl. Rub the birds with the butter mixture, making sure it gets in all the cavities and under the skin. Reserve any unused butter for later. Sprinkle the hens with a little extra salt and paprika.
• Roast for 30 minutes, then baste with the juices at the bottom of the baking sheet, or a little of the remaining butter. Return to the oven and roast until the juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh (do not touch bone) registers 165 degrees F, another 15 to 30 minutes more. Remove the hens to a cutting board or serving tray to rest and remove the rack. Pour the dry sherry into the hot baking sheet and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits; add a little of the stock if necessary. Transfer the sherry mixture to a small saucepan and add any remaining butter. Melt over medium heat. Meanwhile, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons chicken stock in a small bowl to make a slurry. Add the slurry and the remaining stock to the saucepan along with the remaining 1/3 cup syrup and remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Serve the game hens with the sweet and spicy gravy.

SPICY MAPLE CHICKEN WINGS

Steps:

• Cut each chicken wing into 3 sections; discard wing tip sections. , In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry chicken, a few pieces at a time, for 8 minutes or until golden brown and juices run clear, turning occasionally. Drain on paper towels., In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the syrup, hot sauce, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Combine water and cornstarch; stir into sauce. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Place wings in a large bowl; pour sauce over wings and toss to coat.

MAPLE BUTTER

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice until well blended. Chill in the refrigerator, for about 30 minutes. Form into a roll using waxed paper and store wrapped. It can be frozen for later at this point if desired.

SPICY MAPLE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 8- by 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a cast-iron pot with a candy thermometer attached, bring the brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, evaporated milk and salt to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Keep stirring until the thermometer registers 240 degrees F (the soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat and allow to cool to lukewarm.
• Add the maple syrup and vanilla. With a hand mixer on low, mix in the powdered sugar; keep mixing until the white of the powdered sugar is gone. Using a silicone spatula, continue mixing for 5 minutes until the mixture is smooth, creamy and pale. Fold in the pecans. Scrape the mixture into the prepared baking pan. With the silicone spatula, flatten and smooth out the mixture. Lightly dust with cayenne pepper. Set aside and allow to cool for at least 2 hours.

SPICY MAPLE BUTTER

Steps:

• Mash together all ingredients in a bowl with a flexible spatula until smooth. Maple butter can be stored in refrigerator up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before serving.

HOT & SPICY MAPLE BUTTER FOR BISCUITS

Steps:

• Mix together butter, maple syrup and hot pepper sauce in bowl until well blended.
• Serve on buttermilk biscuits.

SPICED MAPLE GLAZED SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Combine the paprika, chili powder, ancho, cumin, garlic powder, and brown sugar.
• Place salmon on lightly sprayed baking dish or tray.
• Sprinkle the fillets with the salt, then rub with the spice mixture.
• Combine melted butter and maple syrup, then drizzle each fillet with a bit of the mixture; sprinkle each with a bit of green onion.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until it flakes with a fork.
• Serve with rice or orzo pasta and steamed green vegetables like broccoli, gai lan (Chinese broccoli), bok choy, or green beans, drizzled with bottled fish or oyster sauce.
• Note: ancho chile powder is available through many Latin markets or at Penzey's online. See http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeysancho.html If you don't have ancho, but do have smoked Spanish paprika, try adding a bit of that! :).

SPICED MAPLE MUSTARD

Steps:

• Place allspice on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose seasonings; tie securely with string. In a small bowl, mix 3/4 cup water, vinegar and maple syrup until blended; set aside. In a small saucepan, mix flour, cornstarch, mustard, turmeric, salt and remaining water until smooth. Gradually whisk in vinegar mixture. Add spice bag. Simmer over medium heat until thickened, 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally., Discard spice bag. Transfer to a covered container; cool slightly. Refrigerate until cold. Store in refrigerator for up to 1 month.