The Culinary Connoisseur
Sweet and Savory Cinnamon
24
Dec
Dec
Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known. It is
mentioned in the Torah and was used in ancient Egypt not only as a flavoring
and medicine, but also as an embalming agent. It was so highly treasured that
it was considered more precious than gold. Around the same time, cinnamon also
received much attention in China and is mentioned in ancient books of medicine,
many of them dated more than 3500 years ago.
mentioned in the Torah and was used in ancient Egypt not only as a flavoring
and medicine, but also as an embalming agent. It was so highly treasured that
it was considered more precious than gold. Around the same time, cinnamon also
received much attention in China and is mentioned in ancient books of medicine,
many of them dated more than 3500 years ago.
Cinnamon’s popularity continued throughout history. It
became one of the most relied upon spices in Medieval Europe. Due to its
demand, cinnamon became one of the first commodities traded regularly between
the Near East and Europe.
became one of the most relied upon spices in Medieval Europe. Due to its
demand, cinnamon became one of the first commodities traded regularly between
the Near East and Europe.
Cinnamon is available in either stick or powder form. It
is the brown bark of the cinnamon tree, which is available in its dried tubular
form known as a quill or stick, or as ground powder. While the sticks can be
stored for longer, the ground powder has a stronger flavor. If possible, smell
the cinnamon to make sure that it has a sweet smell, a characteristic
reflecting that it is fresh. Cinnamon comes in two varieties—Ceylon cinnamon or
Cassia. Ceylon cinnamon is produced in Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Brazil and
the Caribbean, while cassia is mainly produced in China, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Both Ceylon cinnamon and Chinese cinnamon (cassia) are labeled as cinnamon. Chinese
or cassia is more commonly available.
is the brown bark of the cinnamon tree, which is available in its dried tubular
form known as a quill or stick, or as ground powder. While the sticks can be
stored for longer, the ground powder has a stronger flavor. If possible, smell
the cinnamon to make sure that it has a sweet smell, a characteristic
reflecting that it is fresh. Cinnamon comes in two varieties—Ceylon cinnamon or
Cassia. Ceylon cinnamon is produced in Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Brazil and
the Caribbean, while cassia is mainly produced in China, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Both Ceylon cinnamon and Chinese cinnamon (cassia) are labeled as cinnamon. Chinese
or cassia is more commonly available.
The fragrant, sweet and warm taste of cinnamon makes it
the perfect spice to use during the winter months. Want to make your home smell
inviting? Simply place a few cinnamon sticks in a pan in a warm oven. The aroma
will make everyone think there’s something yummy about to be served!
the perfect spice to use during the winter months. Want to make your home smell
inviting? Simply place a few cinnamon sticks in a pan in a warm oven. The aroma
will make everyone think there’s something yummy about to be served!
Easy and delicious!
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup canola oil
1 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Streusel:
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons softened margarine
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or line a 12
cup muffin pan.
cup muffin pan.
In a medium bowl, stir together flour, sugar, and baking
powder.
powder.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, orange juice,
vanilla, and eggs. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix until just
blended. Some lumps are okay.
vanilla, and eggs. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix until just
blended. Some lumps are okay.
Fill the prepared muffin cups halfway with the batter.
Combine the brown sugar, and cinnamon; sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of the
mixture onto each half-full muffin cup. Spoon remaining batter over the
cinnamon mixture so that the muffin cups are 2/3 full.
Combine the brown sugar, and cinnamon; sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of the
mixture onto each half-full muffin cup. Spoon remaining batter over the
cinnamon mixture so that the muffin cups are 2/3 full.
In a small bowl, mix together streusel: flour, sugar,
cinnamon, and margarine to make a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle this generously
over the tops of the muffin batter.
cinnamon, and margarine to make a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle this generously
over the tops of the muffin batter.
Bake for 20 to 22 minutes in the preheated oven, until a
toothpick inserted into the crown of a muffin, comes out clean. Cool in the
pan, over a wire rack.
toothpick inserted into the crown of a muffin, comes out clean. Cool in the
pan, over a wire rack.
Sometimes we all like to cheat a little!
1 container Donut Mix (available at half price in our
store)
store)
2 tablespoons canola oil
4 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Glaze:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon water
1 tablespoon oil
Prepare dough according to directions on the
container. Grease and flour or spray an
8” or 9” square pan.
container. Grease and flour or spray an
8” or 9” square pan.
Roll out dough to an 18”x12” rectangle. Spread canola oil on the dough.
Stir together cinnamon and sugar in a bowl and sprinkle
over the dough. Roll up dough, beginning on a short side. Slice evenly into 9
slices.
over the dough. Roll up dough, beginning on a short side. Slice evenly into 9
slices.
Place slices, cut side down in prepared pan. The slices do not need to fill the pan; they
will grow together. Let rest 10-15 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
will grow together. Let rest 10-15 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Bake buns 30-40 minutes or until golden and puffed.
Stir together glaze ingredients and spread generously
over the warm buns. Serve warm or at room temperature.
over the warm buns. Serve warm or at room temperature.