Recipe: Cinnamon flutes

Makes them a perfect fit with warm, winter beverages

These twisted flutes are coated in cinnamon, butter and sugar.



Method

•  Preheat oven to 200^o C.

•  Melt the butter in a large bowl.

•  In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese and granulated sugar together.

•  Mix the cinnamon and sugar powder together as well and set it aside.

•  Cut the crusts off the bread slices and flatten each slice out using a rolling pin. Roll them out as thin as possible without tearing the bread.

•  Spread the cream cheese and sugar mixture on the flat bread slices and roll them into the shape of a flute.

•  Dip the flutes in the melted butter, coating all sides.

•  Dip the buttered flutes in the cinnamon and sugar powder mixture.

•  Lightly grease a baking tray and place the flutes on it with the rolled edges facing down.

•  Bake for about 15 minutes or until the bread becomes crisp and slightly golden.

•  Serve warm.

Cinnamon - The most popular spice tree throughout Asia

Although cinnamon is probably amongst the most liked and commonly used spices in Pakistan, few of us know about it beyond the fact that it is derived from the bark of special trees. While this is indeed true, did you know that cinnamon trees hail from the Lauraceae family, along with avocados and bay leaves? The trees are typically woody, with shrubs but evergreen. Unlike most trees which supply food, the bark of the cinnamon tree has to be dried to extract the spice.

There are two major species of the cinnamon tree which supply most of the cinnamon sold in international markets. The Cinnamomum Cassia is commonly found in the United States and offers dark-coloured cinnamon with a strong taste. In comparison, the Cinnamomum Zeylanicum provides a sweeter taste and is known as the ‘true cinnamon’. Sri Lanka provides almost 70% of true cinnamon and its largest importer is Mexico. Some other, less common types of cinnamon include the Burmanni and Loureirii from Indonesia, Oliveri from Australia and the Cinnamomum and Tamala from Papua New Guinea and India respectively.

The best part about cinnamon is that unlike other spices, it can be used for a variety of recipes. It can be sprinkled onto typical breakfast foods like bread, cereal or buns. On the other hand, you can enjoy cinnamon sticks with warm beverages like coffee, hot chocolate and even plain milk. Cinnamon also offers numerous health benefits, such as regulating cholesterol, reducing pain linked to arthritis and even improving the hormonal balance in the human body.

Cinnamon and honey drink for weight loss



This delicious mix of cinnamon and honey can help you shed pounds fast! Honey boosts metabolism which ultimately spurs the fat-burning process and cinnamon improves insulin function which promotes weight loss. Together, the two ingredients cleanse the digestive system of parasites, fungus and bacteria and also give off a feeling of fullness in the stomach. Read on to find out how you can avail all of these benefits with just one glass of this quick and easy drink.

Ingredients

•  Organic honey 1 tbsp

•  Organic cinnamon 1 tsp

•  Filtered water 1 cup

Note: Two parts honey and one part cinnamon is the ratio you should aim for.

Method

•  Place the organic cinnamon in a large bowl.

•  Boil the filtered water thoroughly and pour it over the cinnamon. Allow the cinnamon to soak for about 15 minutes or until the water cools completely (Hot water will destroy the enzymes in the raw honey and you must therefore, wait until the water has cooled completely).

•  Add honey to the cooled liquid and mix. Your weight-loss drink is now ready.

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, January 18^th, 2015.