If you’ve been looking for that “secret ingredient” in a recipe handed down by previous generations – try cinnamon. It’s the one spice you’re likely to find in everyone’s pantry and a key ingredient used in dishes worldwide. From desserts to savoury dishes (even ones with meat), it’s hard to find another spice with this type of versatility… and one with such a unique history.

Once considered more valuable than gold, cinnamon was a highly valued spice in ancient trade. Ancient Egyptians were the first to use cinnamon in cooking but also viewed it as a prestigious gift for pharaohs and used the spice during embalming rituals.

Sourced from the Cinnamomum tree (a variety of evergreen), native to Sri Lanka and south India, cinnamon is most often used these days in cooking and baking. The world’s insatiable demand for cinnamon has resulted in different varieties of the spice being grown in countries including Myanmar, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and some countries in the West Indies and South America. Workers score and peel the outer bark of the trees with a few simple tools during harvest. Large pieces of bark are peeled, dried, and ground into powder, while smaller twigs and shoots dry into familiar curled sticks.

There’s no doubt this spice packs a powerful punch. Sprinkling it in desserts, seasonal drinks, and even main dishes, our culinary community uses it well. We’ve rolled our way through Oakville and Burlington to discover some of the best cinnamon-inspired dishes – check them out:

Cinnaholic

259 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville
cinnaholic.com

All hail the cinnamon roll. With over 20 flavours of frosting and a variety of toppings, Cinnaholic delivers the optimal cinnamon experience. Design your own roll, or choose from Cinnaholic’s suggested combinations – like the S’mores Cookie Roll, with gooey chocolate chip cookie rolled in graham cracker crumbs and topped with marshmallow, or the Candied Almond Roll, topped with marshmallows, pretzels, and homemade candied almonds.

Cobbs Bakery

Multiple Locations In Burlington And Oakville
cobbsbread.com

Cinnamon is the star in two of Cobbs’ best-selling baked goods. Their Cinnamon Scone is filled with generous cinnamon flakes and topped with cinnamon sugar; warmed up, it’s a great treat with your morning coffee. And their Classic Cinnamon Bun is a must-have with your Sunday breakfast. Unwind the spirals of sticky dough to reveal an ooey gooey cinnamon sugar-glazed centre!

Kelly’s Bake Shoppe

401 Brant Street, Burlington
kellysxo.com

Plant-based and dusted with cinnamon, Kelly’s Bake Shoppe makes a must-try old-fashioned snickerdoodle cookie. Their Morning Glory Muffin with sweet potato, carrots, cranberries, and a cinnamon cream cheese filling also makes a great morning treat.

Pur & Simple

1940 Appleby Line Unit 22, Burlington & 350 Dundas Street East, Oakville
pursimple.com

Another cinnamon twist on a breakfast classic! Pur & Simple’s Carole’s Cinna- Cakes are cinnamon swirl pancakes topped with icing glaze, caramel, and whipped cream. Pair with a mimosa or freshly brewed coffee for breakfast or brunch.

Coop Wicked Chicken

370 Brant Street, Burlington
thecoopwickedchicken.com

While famous for its fried chicken, The Coop has cinnamon all figured out – and their Cinnamon funnel cake isn’t exactly what it seems. Consisting of fries topped with cinnamon sugar and accompanied by vanilla ice cream, have it for lunch or dessert – all of the components are there.

Oko Bagels

499 Cornwall Road, Oakville
okobagels.com

Oakville’s hot spot for Montreal-style wood-fired bagels handcrafts a perfect cinnamon sugar bagel. Pair with a wide selection of flavoured cream cheese (Canadian Maple makes a good match) or other toppings like Nutella or peanut butter.

Duck Donuts

5010 Pinedale Avenue Unit 1001a, Burlington
duckdonuts.com

Cinnamon bun or donut? You don’t have to choose! Burlington’s newest donut establishment, Duck Donuts, serves a Cinnamon Bun Donut made with cinnamon sugar and vanilla icing. The best part: it’s made fresh on-site, just for you. 

Cinnamon… it really is everywhere. Inspired by her Nonna, our editor mixes a little into her ricotta cheese when she makes lasagna or ravioli. It’s a basic ingredient in a traditional Greek moussaka. And for me, I sprinkle a light dusting on top of my coffee grounds. My guests always ask, “What do you put in your coffee?”.

My secret ingredient? Cinnamon. How do you use cinnamon? Why not share your recipes with us on Instagram @looklocal.ca ?

by Lisa Evans

It’s hard to find a more versatile vegetable than the potato. It can be fried, scalloped, roasted, mashed, or hashed. Potatoes are gluten-free and pair well with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Not only is the potato versatile, but they’re also affordable, accessible, and delicious any way you dig ’em. 

Potatoes have played an important role in the planet’s food security. Historians have traced the history of the potato back to Ancient Peru. It’s believed the potato was first introduced to Europe by the Spanish explorers of the “New World.” Some credit the potato with ending the famine in Northern Europe. Potatoes were first grown by settlers in New Brunswick as early as the mid-1600s and have been a staple in Canadian homes ever since.

Potatoes are Canadians’ favourite side dish, complementing any main meal. Add roasted potatoes to a chicken dish, french fries to a burger, hash browns to eggs, and have you ever been to a barbeque that didn’t have potato salad?

Potatoes are also good for your health and pack a nutritious punch. Cooked potatoes with the skin are a good source of potassium and vitamin C. Potatoes are mainly comprised of carbs but contain almost no fat, so they can keep us full for longer.

Potato Tips
How To Make The Perfect Potato

 

1) Choose the Right Spud. 

Potatoes come in many forms, but some varieties are better suited for some purposes than others.

Russet potatoes have low water content and are high in starch, making this the preferred potato for baking, frying, mashing, and roasting.

Red potatoes have lower starch and higher water content and are ideal for soups, stews, and salads.

Yellow potatoes are all-purpose potatoes with a buttery taste and a rich, creamy texture.

2) Store Your Potatoes in the Right Location 

Sunlight will cause your potatoes to release a chemical called solanine, which can be toxic. A cool, dark location, like a root cellar, is the best place to store potatoes. Avoid placing potatoes in the fridge. Fridge temperatures convert the starch to sugar which can change the taste of the potatoes.

3) Add Potatoes to Cold Water First

To get silky smooth mashed potatoes, start potatoes in cold, salted water, then bring the pot to boil. When they’re nearly ready to be mashed, heat your butter and milk in a small saucepan rather than adding them straight from the cold fridge.

4) Salt the Water, Not the Potatoes 

Adding salt to water causes the potatoes’ starch to cook more, giving it a rich, creamy texture, while cooking potatoes in unsalted water results in a bland taste. Similarly, placing potatoes on a baking sheet without salt can cause them to get overcooked. The salt helps ensure the potatoes cook evenly.

One little vegetable with so much potential. Three cheers for the potato!

By Lisa Evans

Whether they’re for gifting, toasting, or sacredly sipping, sparkling wines add a special touch to the holiday season. The demand for sparkling wine has grown (thanks to affordable Prosecco), and many are home grown in Ontario. With a vast selection to suit every taste and budget, these expert-recommended bottles will certainly add a little extra “sparkle” to your holiday events.

Pop a bottle and celebrate! The holidays are here!

By Jenny Ratcliffe-Wright