Sign up for free
weekly newsletter

Home | Save Money | Recipes | Shopping Lists | Menus | News | About | FAQ | Contact | Ebooks

Scrimp or splurge? plus Olympics tribute -- Canadian maple cake

Newsletter February 18, 2010 — As a salute to the Olympic athletes in Vancouver and to the many creative, thrifty cooks in Canada, this week's newsletter features the recipe for Canadian Maple Pudding Cake. Also called Pouding Chômeur or "unemployed-man's pudding," this treat was invented by women factory workers in Quebec during the Great Depression. Also check out the first installment of "Scrimp or Splurge?"

Scrimp or Splurge? Maple Syrup and Honey.

This new feature looks at how to get the best value for your money. After all, some things are a bargain and some are just cheap.

Maple Syrup: Scrimp.

I always buy real maple syrup, not high-fructose "pancake syrup," but get the less expensive, darker syrup (U.S. Grade B or Canadian Amber). It's more flavorful and costs about 25% less than the lighter grades. When finances are really tight, boil equal parts of brown sugar and water, then stir in enough real maple syrup to add maple fragrance and flavor. Start with 3/4 cup water, 3/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup dark maple syrup.

Honey: Splurge.

Buy from a local bee-keeper you trust if possible or look for honey from Florida, which last year became the first state to require pure honey. Florida prohibits adding chemicals or adulterants to honey and has inspectors and labs to enforce the law. As a fascinating Seattle Post-Intelligencer investigative report on Honey Laundering reveals, cheap imported honey may contain sugar water, corn syrup, and even dangerous pesticides or antibiotics. Countries with known honey problems and high tariffs ship their honey to other countries before it comes to the U.S., masking the country of origin. Don't know a local bee-keeper and can't find Florida honey? Your best bets seem to be honey from the U.S., Canada, or South America. Look for reputable suppliers and don't scrimp!

What about organic honey? Another Seattle PI report says that American honey is probably not organic. Jerry Hayes, chief of the apiary section for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said there are no organic standards for honey in the United States because honeybees forage in a 2 to 2 1/2-mile radius of their colonies. Canada does have standards for organic honey, but acknowledges that "owing to the long distances that foraging bees may travel, it is not possible to limit foraging activities to organic floral sources."

Recipe: Maple Pudding Cake.

Like a maple cobbler, this Canadian pudding cake has a biscuit-like topping over a sweet saucy bottom layer. Modern versions of this classic Quebec treat use the relatively cheaper and darker grade-B maple syrup, plus lots of butter and heavy cream. The Cook for Good version is thrifty, healthy, and quick. It's perfect for watching the Olympics. A neighbor who tried a batch said, "Wow ... that was the best! Gone in no time!"

Thanks for being careful shoppers and adventurous cooks. Using wholesome ingredients in ways old and new can make a healthy difference. Have a delicious day!