Alright, let me tell you about my journey with cinnamon. For the longest time, I just saw it as something you sprinkle on desserts, you know? Maybe in some holiday baking. Didn’t think much beyond that, honestly. It just sat there in the spice rack, mostly untouched for months on end.
Then, I think I was reading an old cookbook or maybe overheard someone talking about using spices more broadly. It got me thinking. I had this jar of cinnamon, so I figured, why not actually try to use it more consciously? So, I pulled it out from the back of the cupboard and decided to experiment a bit.
My First Steps with Cinnamon
I started off real simple. One morning, I decided to add just a tiny dash to my coffee. I was a bit hesitant, thought it might be weird. But man, it was a small change that made a big difference! It added this warm, comforting note. Suddenly, my regular cup of coffee felt a bit more special. I liked that. So, I started doing that pretty regularly.
Next, I tried it in my oatmeal. Again, super simple. Instead of just plain oats or oats with fruit, I sprinkled in some cinnamon. Wow. It totally transformed a boring breakfast into something I actually looked forward to. It just made it taste richer, more satisfying.
I got a bit more adventurous after that. I remembered seeing recipes, especially for some savory dishes, that called for cinnamon. I was skeptical, I’ll admit. Cinnamon in a meat dish? Seemed odd. But I gave it a shot. I was making a stew, I think it was lamb, and I added a small piece of a cinnamon stick while it was simmering. I didn’t tell anyone what I did at first.
Discovering Its Versatility
The result was pretty amazing. It wasn’t like the stew tasted like a dessert, not at all. Instead, the cinnamon added this incredible depth of flavor, a subtle warmth that just rounded everything out. It wasn’t overpowering, just… better. My family noticed something different and they loved it. That was a real eye-opener for me.
Since then, I’ve found so many ways to use it. Here are some things I regularly do now:
- A pinch in my morning tea or coffee, almost daily.
- Sprinkled over roasted sweet potatoes or carrots. This is a game-changer!
- Added to rubs for chicken or pork before grilling or roasting.
- A little bit in curries or rice dishes for that extra layer of flavor.
- And of course, still in my baking – apple pies, crumbles, cookies, you name it.
What I’ve really come to appreciate is how cinnamon can just elevate things. It’s not just about making things sweet. It brings a warmth, a complexity. For me, the smell alone is comforting. When I’m cooking with it, especially on a cold day, the aroma just fills the kitchen and makes everything feel cozier. I find it can make even simple food feel a bit more special, a bit more thoughtful.
I also feel like it just makes food more interesting. It’s one of those spices that, when you learn how to use it right, can really expand your cooking. I’m no chef, mind you, just a home cook who likes to try things out. And for me, getting to know cinnamon better has been a really rewarding little journey. It went from being an ignored spice to a real staple in my kitchen. I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate it now.
