Taste & Smell the Stars!

We use them all year round in so many sweet and savoury dishes and countless beverages but at this time of the year, they shine brighter, so roll out the red carpet for the very Christmasy stars of cinnamon and clove.

This week's column celebrates the cinnamon and clove. It is not just the flavour they impart that we taste and love, but also the aroma that signals the season, and that holds true not just for us here in the Caribbean. All over the world, screens - both television and computer, are filled with mulled wine and hot spiced cider and everyone is talking about how the aroma fills the house and makes it cheerful.

Well for us in the Caribbean, beverages such as ginger beer and sorrel are seasonal and we really look forward to them at Christmas. Cinnamon and cloves are important in the other foods we make at this time too, such as pepperpot, ham, cakes, etc.

Sorrel

De-seeded sorrel

I know that it's cold where some of you are but there is nothing quite as refreshing as a cold glass of spiced-fruity sorrel drink on a hot day. This first picture is my entry for CLICK!

OR a glass of ginger beer to go with a slice of Christmas cake.

And how can one forget the other star of the holiday table. Clove-studded and stunning :)

Baked ham

For your information, Cassia is a member of the cinnamon family but it has a stronger flavour and therefore requires less when using in a recipe.

Please email me for any of the recipes seen here.

Hey, don't forget to check out Forgive me my nonsense... where Bee talks about Sammy Gitau. Who is he? click here for more.

Have a great weekend.