Tag Archives: creative cooking

cooking, culinary, food, health, recipes

Cinnamon sticks: 5 must-try recipes

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**Cinnamon Sticks: 5 Must-Try Recipes**
*By Simran Jeet | Sep 23, 2025, 01:21 pm*

Cinnamon sticks are a staple in many kitchens, prized for their warm, aromatic flavor. While commonly associated with desserts, cinnamon sticks are incredibly versatile and can enhance a variety of savory dishes as well. Here are five creative ways to incorporate cinnamon sticks into your cooking routine, showcasing just how delightful and multifaceted this spice can be.

### 1. Infused Rice Delight
Elevate your plain rice by infusing it with cinnamon sticks. Add one or two sticks to the pot while cooking basmati or jasmine rice, allowing the cinnamon to simmer with the grains. This subtle infusion imparts a lovely aroma and depth of flavor, turning simple rice into an excellent side dish for any meal.

### 2. Spiced Vegetable Stew
Bring warmth and complexity to your vegetable stew by tossing in a couple of cinnamon sticks during cooking. Whether you are simmering carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, or other vegetables, the cinnamon slowly blends into the stew, creating a hearty and comforting dish—perfect for chilly days.

### 3. Aromatic Herbal Tea
Enjoy the soothing benefits of cinnamon with an easy-to-make herbal tea. Boil water with a few cinnamon sticks and steep for five minutes. For added flavor, consider adding herbs like mint or chamomile. This aromatic tea can be served hot or cold, making it a refreshing and healthful drink all year round.

### 4. Flavorful Oatmeal Boost
Transform your morning oatmeal by cooking it with cinnamon sticks. As the oats simmer in milk or water, they absorb the warm, spicy essence of the cinnamon, resulting in a comforting and nutritious breakfast. Simply remove the sticks before serving for a fuss-free start to your day.

### 5. Sweet Potato Twist
Enhance sweet potato dishes by roasting them with whole cinnamon sticks. Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil and place cinnamon sticks on the roasting tray. As they cook, the cinnamon highlights the natural sweetness of the potatoes while adding subtle, aromatic complexity—without overpowering the dish.

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Incorporating cinnamon sticks into your recipes is a fantastic way to add warmth and depth to everyday meals. Give these five recipes a try and discover new ways to enjoy this timeless spice!
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/lifestyle/cinnamon-sticks-5-must-try-recipes/story

diet, food, health, nutrition, waste reduction

Can you get your nutrition intake from ‘random leftovers’? A dietitian weighs in

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Annie Jacobs-Perkins is a 28-year-old cellist who shares a glimpse into her typical day’s meals and eating habits.

**8:00 AM**
A cup of black coffee starts her day. “I don’t always eat breakfast; today was one of those days,” Annie admits.

**11:45 AM**
For a mid-morning snack, she enjoys homemade pumpkin bread with cream cheese, accompanied by some red plums sourced from a local farmer. “I prioritise plant-heavy meals and local produce,” she explains.

**1:00 PM**
Lunch consists of a variety of random leftovers: lentil curry, tofu salad, kimchi, sprouts, salad, and a few bites of local cheddar cheese.

**4:30 PM**
While on a family holiday, Annie visits an Amish food stand called Sharps Market in Adams, New York, to pick up fresh fruit, vegetables, and cheese. At home, the family shares half a watermelon. They save the rinds, which Annie is fermenting into watermelon rind pickles using gochujang and garlic.

**6:30 PM**
Dinner features grilled corn, beans, and peppers tossed into a salad with lime juice and tomatoes. She also roasts chickpeas and butter beans with salt, pepper, and olive oil. The roasted chickpeas and salad are served on a bed of yoghurt mixed with lemon juice, ricotta cheese, and garlic.

**10:00 PM**
Annie ends the day with a sweet treat: a bowl of vanilla ice cream drizzled with maple syrup.

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**Expert Nutrition Insights**
Dr Joanna McMillan praises Annie’s eating habits:
“Top marks for your strong focus on local produce and the wide variety of plant foods. I love how you use up leftovers and your home-fermenting, which both reduces waste and promotes emerging gut and immune health benefits.”

However, Dr McMillan also offers some advice for continued health:
“If you keep eating like this, you’ll need to watch your iron intake, which can be low for women in their 20s if animal foods are limited. Without fish or seafood, your omega-3 intake is also on the low side. While dairy supplies some high-quality protein, the lack of eggs, meat, or seafood means you need to be mindful of replacing or supplementing certain nutrients.”

She suggests a few practical tips:
– Increase your intake of iron-rich plant foods such as lentils, beans, pumpkin seeds, and dark leafy greens.
– Pair these with vitamin C-rich foods to boost iron absorption.
– Consider a marine algae omega-3 supplement if fish isn’t on the menu.
– For extra protein variety, try nut butters, tempeh, or quinoa.

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Annie Jacobs-Perkins will perform in the Sydney Opera House’s Utzon Music series on October 12.

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