Homemade strawberry-maple syrup recipe for Valentine's Day

Fresh strawberries and maple syrup simmering in the pan.Valentine's Day doesn't always have to be a big production to be  memorable.

Sometimes a series of small gestures throughout the day can say "I love you" in a way that's more meaningful than the single show-stopping gift (but I'm not against show-stopping gifts!).

One of my favorite ways to begin the love fest is with a breakfast of pancakes, waffles or French toast served with  homemade strawberry-maple syrup.

It's  surprisingly easy to make, and so delicious that you might never go back to store-bought. All that's needed is good-quality maple syrup, fresh strawberries, a small pan and a spoon for stirring. 

It's easy enough to make on a rushed weekday morning, but it can be made ahead and stored in a glass bottle or jar to save time. If you go that route, reheat it and serve warm for maximum enjoyment. Here's my recipe:

Strawberry-maple syrup

Makes about 4 servings

1/2 cup of maple syrup

8-10 fresh strawberries

1. Pour maple syrup into a small sauce pan.

2. Wash strawberries and remove hulls. Cut lengthwise into quarters and place in pan with maple syrup.

3. Bring maple syrup and strawberries to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until light bubbles form over the surface. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring for 3 to 5 minutes until strawberries soften and release their red color into the maple syrup.

4. Let strawberry-maple syrup cool slightly and serve warm.

Notes: Syrup will continue to evaporate and thicken if left in the hot pan. If it becomes too thick, blend in water, one teaspoon at a time until it is the desired consistency.

Also try flavoring maple syrup with blueberries, chopped fresh peaches, apples and other seasonal fruit. 

Recipe can be doubled. Refrigerate leftovers and use within a week.