Books & Cooks Letter V: Vietnamese Cinnamon

This year I’m going to be combining two of my passions – cooking and kid lit for Books & Cooks! I’ll be bringing you great recipes based on spices of the alphabet that pair perfectly with kid lit books! Next up? The letter V and the spicy, comforting Vietnamese Cinnamon!

Spice: Vietnamese Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of my most favorite spices! It reminds me of my childhood breakfasts of cinnamon sugar toast, it’s a warm comforting smell of fall, and it works in so many sweet and savory dishes! If you’ve never gotten then chance, I strongly suggest visiting a spice store and smelling all the variations of cinnamon that exist. I’m a fan of Penzys Spices which can be found around the county (and they have online ordering as well). They have five different types of cinnamon that you can try. Vietnamese cinnamon is the strongest option they have and although they usually suggest cutting down the amount in any recipe, I tend to use it all and love it every time! (It works really well with cinnamon rolls!)

Book Review: Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

Hà has lived and loved her entire life in Saigon, but when the Vietnam War threatens her family’s safety, they must immigrate to Alabama. Told in verse, Hà learns just how unwelcoming her new home is and how strong she and her family are for making difficult decisions.

A powerful story like this works well written in verse – there is no fluff, no extra words. the story is equally heartbreaking as it is hopeful and Thanhha Lai’s own experiences make this story come to life.

Recipe: Downeast Main Pumpkin Bread

As soon as there’s just the slightest crisp in the air, my boyfriend starts mentioning pumpkin bread – and for good reason! This pumpkin bread recipe is well-loved in our household (even when I adjust it to make it the slightest bit healthier!). With the comforting spices of nutmeg, cloves, ginger and cinnamon, this is the perfect breakfast, snack, and dessert!

During the month of April, I’ll be participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2020. For my theme this year (Books & Cooks), I’ll be combing children’s books with cooking spices and including a recipe to bring the book into your very own kitchen! I love to cook and read, so I thought this would be a fun way to combine two of my passions. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it! Let’s dig in! And if you want to see what I’ve done in the past, check out the past few years – 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019!