GOODNESS
Allspice: No, this isn't a mixture of everything in your spice rack, but rather a dried berry of the pimenta tree. If that's a surprise to you, imagine how Columbus felt -- he thought it was pepper (thus the name pimenta, which is Spanish for pepper). The berries look a little like plump peppercorns and the flavor is pungent, but it is not pepper. The best allspice comes from Jamaica.
For the freshest flavor, you should buy allspice in berry form and grind or crush it as needed. The taste is a pleasant mix of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Used in jerks and for pickling, it goes great with meat and gives a nice kick to soups and stews.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tropical evergreen, just like its cousin cassia. It has an ancient pedigree, even being used to embalm a few pharaohs. That may not sound appetizing, but it has been found to be good for the heart, the stomach and the joints. Not impressed yet? Well consider that it also seems to mimic insulin and therefore helps diabetics moderate their sugar levels. So don't be shy with this tasty and healthy spice.
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Recipe

Dried Fruit and Nut Cake

serves
prep time: 10
cook time: 39

ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups chopped toasted almonds (about 7/8 cup)
  • 3/4 cup diced candied lemon peel (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2/3 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2/3 cup sifted all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup diced candied citron peel (about 1/3 cup)
  • 1/2 cup diced candied orange peel (about 1/3 cup)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

directions

Line bottom of 9 inch springform pan with parchment paper. Butter parchment paper and sides of pan. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix first 10 ingredients together in large bowl.

Stir honey and 1/3 cup sugar in heavy large saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium and cook until candy thermometer registers 235 degrees. (soft-ball stage), stirring frequently, about 4 minutes.

Remove pan from heat. Mix in nut-flour mixture. Spoon mixture into prepared pan. Press to even thickness using buttered palm of hand or spoon. Bake until top is no longer sticky, about 35 minutes. Cool. Sift powdered sugar over. (Can be prepared 3 weeks ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)