Cinnamon

[donna]

The spice of this week, November 17th is cinnamon. It is used in so many recipes. The cinnamon with which those of us in U.S. are most familiar is obtained by grinding the bark of the Cassia tree to a powder. The Cassia tree grows in Southern China, Indo China, Java and Sumatra. The bark is peeled from the trunks of the trees and may be from 1/3 inch to 1/2 inch in thickness. It is collected in the form of rolled-up quills from a few inches to 30 inches long, or in broken pieces from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches in size. After arrival in America the bark is carefully selected, blended, and ground before shipping to food manufacturers, bakers, or before putting in tins to be supplied to housewives.

There are various types of cinnamon. These include:

Saigon Cinnamon
Saigon Blend
Korintje Cinnamon
Batavia Cinnamon
"This Quill" Cinnamon
Seychelles Cinnamon
Ceylon Cinnamon

From: "A Handbook of Spices" by Durkee.

 

[FarawayFriend]

I love cinnamon, although I only use it in sweet dishes. With meat I find it a little disturbing.
Rice pudding with a sugar/cinnamon mix on top is one of my favourites. Or anything with apples screams for a hint of cinnamon IMHO. Oatmeal gets a special taste with little cinnamon.
I think cinnamom is one of the best spices, but so many people here dislike it. I cannot understand that, I find it delicious.
Moreover it has many health benefits, such as blood sugar control, many issues in regard of indigestion and is even mildly antibacteric. Look here:
http://cinnamonvogue.com/cinnamoncommonuses.html

 

[KLSDAD]

.....and apparently its good for you too. I read once that all cinnamons are not equal in that regard and that some "cinnamons" aren't even cinnamon.

 

[FarawayFriend]

Yes, cinnamon was regarded as dangerours because of the coumarin, which may cause liver damage. Some types contain more coumarin than others. And hey, no risk no fun!
http://cinnamonvogue.com/blog/coumarin-in-cassia-cinnamon/

 

[donna]

Cinnamon Sticks are whole cinnamon from the bark of the cinnamon tree. They are harvested by pulling off the bark and allowing it to curl up in quills as it dries.

Usage tips for cinnamon sticks:

Use 1 stick as a stirrer for each cup of hot chocolate, coffee or tea beverages.

Use in preparing fruit compote, applesauce, stewed dried fruits, peach preserves and pickled beets.

Break into pieces and use in marinades for beef, pork and chicken.

Spiced Apple Juice Recipe

1 bottle (64 ounces) apple juice
2 tablespoons honey
4 Cinnamon Sticks
1 teaspoon cloves, whole
1/2 lemon, sliced

Mix apple juice, honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves and lemon slices in large saucepan.

Simmer 30 minutes. Strain. Serve warn or refrigerate to serve cold.

Makes 8 (1 cup) servings.

 

[FarawayFriend]

The China Restaurant where we sometimes dine uses a hint of cinnamon in the crust of their crispy duck. Delicious!

 

[nitrofd]

In my wife's father's bakery they would get 25lb. Boxes of ground cinnamon in.you would have to be very careful when you opened one of the boxes as it was so strong it would take your breath away and burn your eyes.but put that cinnamon in some apple strudel and wow!!!!!!!.

 

[Blessmag]

Place in Ft. Worth that used this spice in ALL their Tex-Mex. YERK.

 

[donna]

A little trivia on cinnamon:

In 1500 B.C. Egyptian Queen Hatshepaut used cinnamon in perfumes.

Moses was told by God to use Cinnamon in preparing holy anointing oil.

Cinnamon was one of the principal spices monopolized by the Dutch in the 17th century.

From "Spices of the World Cookbook" by McCormick.

 

[donna]

An easy ice cream:

Cinnamon Ice Cream

1 quart vanilla ice cream
1 teaspoon Cinnamon

Soften ice cream just enough to stir. Add cinnamon; mix thoroughly. Spoon into freezer tray and immediately refreeze. A delight with apple pie. Makes 1 quart.

 

[donna]

A very delicious cookie:

Cinnamon Sandies

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons pure Vanilla Extract
1 tablespoon water
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped nuts
2 teaspoons Cinnamon
1 tablespoon water

Cream butter and 1/2 cup of the sugar; stir in vanilla and water. Add flour, mixing well. Stir in nuts. Shape small pieces of dough into crescents. Bake on an ungreased baking sheet in 3oo degrees oven for 20 minutes or until very lightly browned. Sift the remaining 1 cup powdered sugar and cinnamon together. Roll hot cookies in this mixture. Allow cookies to cool, then toll again in the sugar-spice mixture.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

From: "Spices of the World Cookbook" by McCormick

 

[nitrofd]

An easy ice cream:

Cinnamon Ice Cream

1 quart vanilla ice cream
1 teaspoon Cinnamon

Soften ice cream just enough to stir. Add cinnamon; mix thoroughly. Spoon into freezer tray and immediately refreeze. A delight with apple pie. Makes 1 quart.

I love cinnamon ice cream.we used to go to a historic ice cream parlor in Dania.beach florida called Jackson's that makes all their own ice cream.they make cinnamon but they serve it with a sidecar of hot apples.outstanding.

 

[donna]

Coffee was so important to soldiers and others during the Civil War. Different ingredients were added to coffee, besides milk (cream) and sugar. Spices were added as well as liquors.

A great coffee is Cinnamon Spiced Coffee.

3/4 cup ground dark roast coffee
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons Cinnamon, ground
1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
6 cups water

Place coffee, sugar and cinnamon in filter in brew basket of coffee maker. Place vanilla in empty pot of coffee maker. Add water to coffee maker, brew as directed.

Pour into serving cups. Garnish with whipped cream and additional cinnamon. Makes 6 (1 cup) servings.

A wonderful drink for a cold wintery day.

 

[nitrofd]

Might cut down on the sugar a bit.

 

[Mike Serpa]

I rarely have a drink but a friend challenged me to have a shot of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky.

I'm okay but am waiting for my eyebrows to grow back!

 

[nitrofd]

That looks wild, I think I'll have to try that one.

 

[Northern Light]

I rarely have a drink but a friend challenged me to have a shot of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky.
View attachment 52147
I'm okay but am waiting for my eyebrows to grow back!

Had an interesting introduction to this at a wedding a few years back. First and probably last time I will indulge in shooters. It is a nice tasting liqueur, however.

 

[Mike Serpa]

There is a fire-breathing demon on the label for a reason!