Spices considered "sweet" in America are used internationally to add flavor to savory and piquant recipes. I think spices are the hidden fountain of health; they work as powerful anti-inflammatories, treating this condition associated with many chronic diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and psoriasis among others.

Spices also happen to be fat-free and don't add calories. But, in order to reap the benefits of these spices, you have to eat more of them on a regularly basis -- more than you can get by filling up on heavy desserts. Here are some ways to add sweet spices to savory foods.

Get Jennifer's smart spicing techniques and a plantain recipe after the jump.



Star Anise
Star anise is traditionally used in cookies, especially biscotti. Star anise can add wonderfully sweet perfume to meats. When people always taste my turkey taco meat, they ask what the secret spice is. I tuck a star anise pod into taco meat while it's cooking. It works equally well in bean soups and stews -- just be sure to remove it and discard before serving. Folk medicine prizes star anise for its help in easing rheumatism and improving digestion.

Clove
In pioneer days, cloves were a crucial part of dentistry because of its bacteria fighting and pain relieving properties. Cloves have strong compounds that help calm, sooth pain and aid the natural digestive process. Dentists have been known to tuck one into the gap after a tooth was pulled. In modern times, you'll mainly find clove in spice mixtures used to mull wine. I use it in my recipes for Indian Fried Rice and add a pinch to my Cajun spice mix to coat chicken or fish.

Cinnamon
Cinnamon isn't just for oatmeal. You'll find cinnamon in savory dishes of the Middle East, India, the Caribbean and Mexico. I combine it with cumin and coriander for this plantain side dish that I serve with beans and rice. Cinnamon's hidden health benefit is its ability to lower blood sugar. In fact it's being studied for its help in controlling diabetes.


Plantains

2 large very ripe plantains (the skins should be black)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon canola oil

cooking spray


Preheat oven to 400ºF. Heat the oil in a large, oven safe skillet over medium high heat. Dip the plantains into the spice mixture. Transfer them to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Cook 3 to 4 minutes until the plantains begin to lightly brown. Coat the top with a light layer of cooking spray. Turn the plantains and slide the skillet into the oven . Bake 5 to 10 minute until the plantains have browned on the top.

Learn more about Jennifer at skinnychef.com, and read her exclusive Slashfood blogs every Monday and Friday.