Gift Guide: For Your Sugar
![img_9317 img_9317](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F56a1cdac-1909-466c-a53c-9fa57bbefd0f_480x640.jpeg)
I've written about this fantastic apple cider syrup before; it's among my most useful pantry ingredients. A splash added to a pan of sauteed vegetables (shredded brussels sprouts, for instance), along with a little bit of soy or fish sauce, imparts instant character.
At Thanksgiving I used cider syrup in place of 2/3 of the corn syrup in my pecan pie. The result was spectacular; instead of cloying sweetness the syrup added a touch of acidity and a hint of apple. It was, hands down, the best pecan pie I've ever made.
That gave me an idea; why not play around with alternate sugar sources? I've always kept a variety of vinegars on hand; now my cupboard contains an equally large wardrobe of sugar syrups. If you're stumped about what to give a curious cook, a quick trip to the supermarket - or even better a specialty food shop - should give you a wide range to choose from. A syrup collection would make a thoughtful and unusual present.
Herewith, a few suggestions beyond the obvious honey, maple and agave syrups.
![dateladyjar900_642x dateladyjar900_642x](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe7397f1-122e-4cb3-982f-8494af0e0526_642x428.jpeg)
![can-syrup-closeup-300x300 can-syrup-closeup-300x300](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4966e9d-d80f-4a35-817e-65f836e9d3aa_300x300.jpeg)
![bc25cef43928f9e20d2f099628947d6eeeb37487_products_03 bc25cef43928f9e20d2f099628947d6eeeb37487_products_03](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6c867dc8-2e42-4c41-9f5d-99ef9be93632_800x1200.jpeg)
![045e2f40-44e3-4dcb-b289-1640fc518ae6_1-5b27016ce298a44dbe329924f8e08dcf 045e2f40-44e3-4dcb-b289-1640fc518ae6_1-5b27016ce298a44dbe329924f8e08dcf](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e834687-94b0-4032-bef3-efc65d3bdd41_450x450.jpeg)