Sugar Shack Special

The sugar shack, an iconic symbol of Quebec culture, is much more than just a meal. It’s a festive celebration of sugaring season, where family and friends gather to enjoy rich, flavorful dishes and share warm, memorable moments.

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Running this ad-free, pop-up-free kitchen comes with costs, but sharing my passion for food and recipes with you is always worth it. If my creations have ever rescued your dinner party, wowed your in-laws, or filled your home with the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread, meals, and treats, consider tossing a little dough my way. Every contribution helps keep "Feeding a Crowd" alive, thriving, and delicious!

Join me as we explore the world of the sugar shack: from traditional recipes like baked beans, pea soup, and maple syrup crêpes to tips and tricks for recreating the experience at home. Whether you're a seasoned visitor to the sugar shack or discovering this tradition for the first time, dive into our collection of recipes and inspiring ideas to fully embrace this magical season.

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Maple syrup flows freely, comforting flavors fill the plates, and the spirit of the sugar shack comes to life in your home. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!

At the Sugar Shack...

So many adventures unfold in a family-run sugar shack. Ours came to life when my children were still very young. My brothers, our friends, and I all took part in setting up, building, and running the sugar shack. We had two wood stoves to cook for everyone, and it was always a big crowd!

Learning to use the wood stoves was a real adventure. Cleaning them was another challenge! No two wood stoves work the same way, and ours definitely gave us a hard time. But we learned! Even the stove ovens were put to good use for baking our bread and casseroles. Every dish had to be turned for even cooking, and the oven doors could never stay open for more than a few seconds—otherwise, we’d lose all the heat!

I would prepare most of the dishes partially at home and bring everything to the sugar shack. Sugar shack omelets were always in demand, along with eggs in syrup, ham cooked in maple sap, and toast made directly on the cast iron of the stoves. And of course, there were the classics—pea soup, boiled potatoes, and crispy pork rinds—all served to our guests, children, and hardworking family members.

The tradition lives on, and I believe it’s important to preserve our foundational recipes, even as we modernize them. That’s why I’m dedicating this page to the sugar shack!

 
 

Maple Baked Beans

Classic Tourtière (Meat Pie)

Maple Sugar Glazed Ham

Traditional Sugar Shack Omelet

Maple Poached Eggs

Split Pea Soup | Canadian Classic

Parker House Rolls

Bacon Fat Sautéed Potatoes

Maple Sugar Glazed Carrots

Sugar Shack Traditionnal Recipes

Oh so Sweet Sugar Pie!

Butterscotch Brownies for a Crowd

Grand-père (dumplings) in Maple Syrup

Buttermilk Pancakes

Ole-fashioned Doughnuts