* There are four grades of Vermont maple syrup for consumers. Dishing Up Vermont lists them from mildest to strongest maple flavor: Vermont Fancy, Grade A Medium Amber, Grade A Dark Amber and Grade B.
* Linguica and chourico are cured pork sausages brought to New England by the Portuguese, who have been in New England since the 1800s, according to The New England Clam Shack Cookbook. In Rhode Island and south-coast Massachusetts, they rival hot dogs and hamburgers in popularity.
* You love blackberries, but your guests are put off by their strong flavor? Use blackberries for half the blueberries in a standard blueberry-pie recipe, and everyone will be happy, recommends The Martha's Vineyard Cookbook.
* Don't be afraid to make a wet bread dough, says Dishing Up Vermont. Artisanal breads have a moist interior with irregular holes in it, and the best way to achieve that is to make a dough "much wetter than most recipes call for."
flip-over apple cake
(serves 8 to 10)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
4 medium apples
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 cup, plus 1 tablespoon sugar (divided use)
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts
mint sprigs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch round cake pan with butter and set aside.
Melt 1/2 cup butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
Peel, core and cut the apples into 1/4 -inch slices. Place the apples in a bowl and toss to coat with cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Place apple slices in overlapping concentric circles on the bottom of the prepared pan. Make a second layer if necessary.
Sift the remaining 1 cup of sugar and the flour in a large mixing bowl. Whisk in the egg and melted butter just until combined (do not overmix). Fold in the walnuts and continue to mix until smooth. Pour batter evenly over fruit, and smooth top with a rubber spatula.
Place on the center rack of the oven and bake until the cake is golden brown and a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 to 45 minutes. Remove cake from oven and place on a wire rack to cool, about 15 minutes. When the pan is cool enough to handle, run a knife around the edge and invert the cake onto a serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature, plain or with a favorite topping, such as whipped cream, ice cream or yogurt. Garnish with mint sprigs.
