Dish readers have survived some seriously low temperatures so far this month, but unfortunately, winter is far from over. Warm up to mealtime by trying these three very different recipes that all call for cinnamon.
Cinnamon import can be traced back as early as 2000 B.C. in Egypt, and was commonly referenced in Biblical texts as an ingredient in scented oils and perfumes. It was so highly valued that it was considered an acceptable gift for royalty. While today’s chefs may regard cinnamon as a humble kitchen staple, it has the potential to rise above its traditional post at the breakfast table to make an impression in savory dishes as well. Cozy up to these three kitchen-tested recipes, all starring cinnamon.
Top 3 Kitchen-Tested Cinnamon Recipes
Cinnamon Chicken
adapted from The Kitchen Life of a Navy Wife
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds chicken pieces (I used drumsticks and wings)
- 1 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 cup water or chicken stock
Method:
1. In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic and cinnamon. Rub the chicken pieces with this mixture and allow it to sit for about 30 minutes at room temperature.
2. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Place the chicken pieces in a large roasting pan (I used a ceramic casserole/Dutch oven). Sprinkle the meat all over with the paprika and add the onion slices around the chicken.
4. Cook for 35 minutes and then reduce the heat to 350 . Stir in a cup of water (or chicken stock) to the roasting pan and continue cooking for another 50 minutes.
5. Serve and use the juices from the pan as a sauce.
Recipe Review:
By the time this chicken was done cooking, it was falling off the bone! Serve either as-is, or debone. The juicy chicken would be a knock-out addition to homemade chicken salad!
Cinnamon Streusel Pancakes
adapted from Two Peas & Their Pod
Pancakes:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Streusel:
Ingredients:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into chunks
Method:
1. First, make the cinnamon streusel. In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter. Mix together with your hands (my preferred method) or a fork, until the mixture is crumbly. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, oil and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Do not over mix. Batter will be slightly lumpy.
3. Heat a griddle or pan over medium low heat. Coat with cooking spray. Drop 1 cup of batter on to heated skillet. Add 2 tablespoons of the cinnamon streusel. Cook on the first side until bubbles begin to form, about 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip pancake over and cover the other side very generously with cinnamon streusel. Cook for another 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Continue this process to make the rest of the pancakes.
4. Serve pancakes warm, with butter and maple syrup.
Recipe Review:
These pancakes are heavenly. They’re substantial and rich…and BIG! Make them for dinner and enjoy any leftovers for breakfast the next day!
Apple Cinnamon Smoothie
adapted from Recipe Runner
Ingredients:
- 1 cup skim milk (I used almond milk)
- 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup oats
- 1 apple, peeled and cored
- 1 large frozen banana (peel banana prior to freezing)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2-1 cup of ice
Method:
1. Combine the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. This recipe makes two smaller-sized smoothies.
Recipe Review:
I would classify this recipe more like a milkshake than a smoothie. If it is too sweet for your liking, experiment with adding less vanilla and/or maple syrup.
Do you have a unique way to incorporate cinnamon into one of your favorite dishes? Please let us know how you do it in a comment below!
- Photo: Tami Seymour
