Gaby
Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices in the world, used since ancient times in Egypt and India. Along with other ingredients, it was utilized by the Egyptians during the embalming of pharaohs. Today, Ceylon cinnamon is considered the finest variety.
Cinnamon can be found in powder form, as sticks, or quills. It’s perfect for making jams, various compotes, and fruit jellies, as well as dairy products. It pairs beautifully with vegetables and fruits, especially in dishes featuring apples, pears, or quinces, and is commonly added to baked goods, puddings, and beverages. It complements salads made with carrots, corn, cucumbers, and red cabbage. In Eastern cuisine, cinnamon is used in cold dishes with turkey and chicken, as well as in hot dishes featuring roasted or stewed beef. In China and Korea, it’s added when frying pork. Along with citrus and vanilla, cinnamon ranks among the top three most popular holiday scents.
The flavor of cinnamon also harmonizes well with spices like coriander, cloves, cardamom, bay leaves, black and white pepper, nutmeg, and cumin. In India, it is one of the components of the national spice blend known as “garam masala.” It can also be combined with star anise, fennel, and paprika.
Cinnamon is included among festive spices for good reason, as its aroma has an invigorating effect that helps combat depression. Additionally, it serves as a fantastic breath freshener. Traditionally, in the East, cinnamon has been used to treat diarrhea and fever, as well as women’s health issues. In Russia, it was believed to help with colds. Cinnamon is also beneficial for the heart, aids in muscle spasms, skin diseases, asthma, and indigestion. It acts as an excellent pain reliever and antiseptic, and is recognized as a female aphrodisiac. After childbirth, consuming cinnamon can help contract the uterus and stimulate breast milk production. However, during pregnancy, cinnamon is prohibited due to the risk of miscarriage, and it is also not recommended during bleeding.
APPLE PIE WITH CINNAMON
Peel and core 5-6 kg (about 11-13 lbs) of apples, then grate them using a coarse grater. Mix the grated apples with 4 eggs, 1 cup of sugar, 2 cups of flour, half a cup of sunflower oil, and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Pour the batter into a baking dish and place it in the oven for 40 minutes.
