My father is an excellent cook. He learned his flavours mostly from his mother — the recipe that follows is hers, passed through him — and from his years bartending in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, which explains the technique behind this vinaigrette: surprisingly precise for something that looks this simple. He also makes his own maple syrup. Not as a project, not as a brand — just because the trees are there, and when spring hits right, the sap runs and you’d be crazy not to tap it. Trust me on the maple.
Several years ago, I wrote, with my mother, the recipe book Popote et Parlotte pour la Coop to benefit the Coop du Grand-Bois in St-Étienne-de-Bolton, QC, Canada, along with several other artisans from the Eastern Townships region. This vinaigrette is one of the recipes in that book — a family recipe, as written by my father.
In his words: “When I was a kid, the cream floated on the milk on the doorstep. In the garden, the curly lettuce and chives were ready to be eaten. The maple syrup was waiting in the fridge. A few drops of vinegar, salt and pepper. I think the weather was always nice in those days.”
Maple Syrup Vinaigrette
A creamy maple syrup salad dressing with sour cream, rice vinegar, and wild garlic — a family recipe passed down through generations in Quebec's Eastern Townships.
Ingredients
- One head of lettuce (any lettuce will do, but green leaf or red leaf are best)
- 60 ml sour cream
- 12 ml rice vinegar
- 10 ml maple syrup
- 30 ml wild garlic leaves (in season – or finely chopped chives)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 10 ml water – or more to obtain the desired consistency
Equipment
- One bowl
- Whisk
Mise en place
- Wash and drain the lettuce.
- Mix all the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and whisk together.
- Taste: does the seasoning need to be adjusted? More vinegar, salt? Is the consistency pleasant, do you need to add water?
Method
- Mix the dressing with the lettuce just before serving.
Presentation
- In a large family bowl with a whole roasted chicken!
READ MORE: My recipe for Chicken in vermouth sauce. Click here!
