
Maple Syrup was on tap in Elgin County this past weekend, and many families took the opportunity to visit a local sugar bush. Both Springwater Conservation Area and Palmer’s Maple Syrup serve up syrup-making education along with pancakes and the sweet taste of spring Saturdays and Sundays in March. Springwater is also open all week during the March Break.
Photos below are from both locations this past Sunday.
Springwater Conservation Area
Palmer's Maple Syrup
Palmer’s Maple Syrup Festival runs weekends in March 9am-3pm; 34308 Lake Line, RR #1, Port Stanley; 519-769-0007. Springwater Conservation Area is located at 8079 Springwater Road; 519-773-9037.
Winter Vegetables & Corned Beef with Maple Syrup
For a variation on St. Paddy’s Day corned beef why not try this Ontario Sugar Bush inspired version.
For a variation on St. Paddy’s Day corned beef why not try this Ontario Sugar Bush inspired version.

This delicious and hearty family meal is perfect for a stay-at-home day. Corned beef brisket is gently simmered with spices and herbs then vegetables are added to the pot to cook. Everything is transferred to a roasting pan and the corned beef, carrots and rutabaga are brushed with a Maple Syrup and Mustard Glaze and baked. Your home will be filled with a wondrous aroma and everyone will be asking when dinner will be served!
Preparation Time: 15 Minutes
Cooking Time: about 2 Hours
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
Cooking Time: about 2 Hours
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 2 corned beef briskets (about 1 lb (500 g) total)
- 2 Ontario Onions, quartered
- 2 cloves garlic, halved
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 whole cloves
- 1 tsp (5 mL) peppercorns
- 4 large Ontario Carrots
- 3 large Ontario Potatoes
- 1 small Ontario Rutabaga
- 1/4 cup (50 mL) Ontario Maple Syrup
- 2 tbsp (25 mL) grainy mustard
Preparation: In Dutch oven, place corned beef, quartered onions, garlic, bay leaves, cloves and peppercorns; cover with water and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1-½ hours. Peel and chop carrots, potatoes and rutabaga into bite-size pieces. Add to pot; simmer for 12 minutes.
Remove meat to centre of 13- X 9-inch (3L) baking dish or shallow casserole. Using slotted spoon, remove vegetables and place around corned beef. Mix together maple syrup and mustard; brush over top of meat and on carrots and rutabaga. Bake in 375ºF (190ºC) oven for 20 minutes. Remove meat to cutting board and thinly slice; return to baking dish.
Source: Recipe & Photo Courtesy of Foodland Ontario
© 2010 Queen's Printer for Ontario
Remove meat to centre of 13- X 9-inch (3L) baking dish or shallow casserole. Using slotted spoon, remove vegetables and place around corned beef. Mix together maple syrup and mustard; brush over top of meat and on carrots and rutabaga. Bake in 375ºF (190ºC) oven for 20 minutes. Remove meat to cutting board and thinly slice; return to baking dish.
Source: Recipe & Photo Courtesy of Foodland Ontario
© 2010 Queen's Printer for Ontario