Benefits of Cinnamon and a recipe

Winter is a good time of year to think about using cinnamon as it has many wonderful properties in addition to enhancing the flavor of food. It has both a sweet and spicy taste, and it is warming. It can balance blood sugar so it is good to sprinkle it on fruit, especially apples. It is also helpful for improving circulation and can be effective in relieving cold and flu symptoms.

Here is the promised recipe using cinnamon. It is warm and great for this time of year, vata season.

Easy Apple and Pear Crisp
(adapted from a recipe in the Washington Post)

3/4 cup flour (half unbleached white and half whole wheat pastry)
1/2 cup light brown sugar or sukanat
1/2 cup regular oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 t salt
3/4 - 1 t ground cinnamon
6 T unsalted organic butter, plus extra for greasing pan
2 1/2 cups peeled, cored and sliced tart apples, about 2 or 3
1 1/2 cups peeled, cored and sliced pears, about 1 or 2
1 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 t grated or minced lemon zest
1 t peeled and finely minced or grated fresh ginger root

Put oven rack in the middle position, and preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8 x 8 baking dish with butter.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, oats, nuts, salt and cinnamon. Add the butter, using 2 knives or your fingers until it is evenly mixed, and the mixture resembles clumps. Set aside.

In another large bowl toss together the apples, pears, lemon juice, lemon zest and ginger. Add 1 cup of the crumb mixture and mix to combine. Spread the mixture evenly in the baking dish.

Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the top, using your finger tips to break up any large clumps.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top is well browned, and the fruit is bubbly. Cool the dish on a wire rack. Serve warm either plain or topped with freshly whipped organic cream. Enjoy!