Vanilla Beans…I love them, I love the flavor, I love the intoxicating aroma and I am just smitten with those lovely black flecks. However, I do not use them very often because they are quite expensive…a whopping $10.98 per bean at my local market. Plus when I do indulge in the $10.98 beans, they always seem a tad bit past their prime…a little dry and not very aromatic. In fact two weeks ago I returned a bean to the market because it literally crumbled on my cutting board when I tried to split it in half. So when Rob of Beanilla offered to send me a variety of beans to try out, I was all over it! My package arrived in 3 days and contained 40, yes I said 40 vanilla beans in the following varieties (described by Rob):
Mexican Vanilla Beans
Mexican vanilla has a very smooth and creamy flavor with a hint of spice. They are very delightful and commonly used for making extract. Mexican vanilla has the familiar natural vanilla flavor that we associate with vanilla bean ice cream and other vanilla-flavored desserts. These beans are cured using sun-wilting and oven-wilting techniques.
Madagascar Vanilla Beans
Madagascar Vanilla Beans are superior, with flavor and aromatic qualities that make these beans the most popular and sought after vanilla variety. These vanilla beans are very distinct with a flavor and aroma profile unlike any other vanilla bean. The best way that I can describe them is “simply divine!” The flavor is a rich, dark, creamy flavor with an overwhelming sweet and buttery aroma. These beans are cured using the “Bourbon” method of using hot water to scald the beans rather than in the sun, oven or fire. This technique typically produces vanilla beans with higher moisture content.
Indian Vanilla Beans
Indian vanilla beans are very similar to Madagascar vanilla. Considering they use the same Bourbon curing techniques, many of the flavor and aromatic qualities are the same. However, these vanilla beans tend to carry a sweet woodsy flavor profile that is very unique, unlike other origins. Vanilla beans cultivated in some parts of India are considered by many as the world’s best!
Indonesian Vanilla Beans (organic)
The organic Indonesian vanilla beans are the newest bean that we carry. They resemble Bourbon vanilla (Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, and India) but are more closely related to the flavor of Indian vanilla beans. These beans have a sweet nutty flavor and are HUGE with a large abundance of vanilla seeds. Best of all… they’re organic!!!
Tahitian Vanilla Beans(Papua New Guinea)
The Tahitensis or “Tahitian” vanilla beans from Papua New Guinea are truly one of a kind. They are generally shorter, plumper and contain a much higher oil and water content than Bourbon beans. The aroma is flowery, fruity and anisic with a smooth flavor. They are often described as smelling like licorice, cherries, or wine. Pastry chefs love to work with the Tahitensis variety due to the strong vanilla flavor and aroma it will provide. These are probably our second most popular bean.
Bourbon Vanilla Beans (Papua New Guinea)
The Bourbon beans from Papua New Guinea have a traditional vanilla flavor like the Madagascar vanilla beans. They are often comparable to the Bourbon-Madagascar Vanilla beans. What makes these vanilla beans taste slightly different is the way in which they are cured. The method used in Papua New Guinea involves curing the beans by placing them in the ashes of a fire until they begin to shrivel. They are then removed, wiped clean and then rubbed with olive oil and left in the open air to dry. They can be described as subtle with notes of chocolate and tobacco.
Beanilla™ Vanilla Beans (Tahitian/Bourbon blend from multi-origins)
Beanilla™ Vanilla is a unique proprietary blend of Tahitian (Tahitensis) and Bourbon (Planifolia) vanilla beans sourced from the finest vanilla producing regions around the world. By blending origin and variety, we can achieve equilibrium of flavor and aroma. The floral, fruity, cherry like notes of the Tahitian variety blend wonderfully with the nutty-chocolate character of the Bourbon type. I like to consider Beanilla™ Vanilla the perfect vanilla solution for every application.
Tonga Vanilla Beans
Tonga Vanilla Beans come from The Kingdom of Tonga. The Kingdom of Tonga is made up of several island groups in the South Pacific. Palm-fringed beaches, rainforest’s, lagoons and warm blue water make up this beautiful paradise. Tonga only produces 144 tons of vanilla beans annually. Therefore, these beans are a rare and highly sought after vanilla bean (which is also why they are our most expensive vanilla bean). We are proud to be the only company to offer these one of a kind vanilla beans on the web. These beans are exceptional with a very unique aroma, which can only be described as a mixture of Bourbon and Tahitian Vanilla beans with a delicate aroma of raisins and red wine.
I am no vanilla bean expert, but Rob is which is why I asked him to provide me with a detailed description of each bean. These descriptions really helped me, but I am also loving to learn through experimentation! In fact, I made homemade vanilla extract which I will share with you in a post later this week. I can assure you that all of these beans are extremely supple with intense vanilla aromas. I was totally shocked to discover what a real vanilla bean felt and smelled like. I cannot express to how affordable and amazingly fantastic these vanilla beans are…you will definitely be seeing more of Rob’s fabulous products used in my recipes, especially the Vanilla Fleur de Sel.
Now for the fun stuff…
When I contacted Rob to thank him for the products and express my love for these beans, he offered to provide one of my readers with the same beans he graciously sent to me. This means one of you will recieve 40 vanilla beans in the varieties listed above. Plus I adore Rob, his beans and his company so much, I decided to provide one runner up with a five Madagascar Vanilla Beans and a jar of Vanilla Paste. Rob, was so excited about this giveaway, he also offered up a 10% coupon code for my readers. So, even if you don’t win, you can get 10% off by simply entering the code, “bakingaddiction” at checkout.
How do you win?
Leave a comment on this post by midnight on Saturday, August 1 telling me your favorite recipe that utilizes vanilla beans (links to the recipes would be awesome). If you tweet about this post using @bakingaddiction plus a giveaway link, you can enter a second time by submitting another comment here about the tweet!
The Rules
1.) Open to USA & Canada residents only.
2.) Two winners will be chosen on 8/2/09 by using random.org.
3.) Make sure that I have a way to contact you when you leave a comment; either through your blog or an email.
4.) One comment per person, please. Plus one *tweet entry; totaling 2 entries per person.
5.) I will contact the winners via email or commenting on the winner’s site.
6.) You have until 8/4/09 to claim the giveaway, or I will have to choose another winner.
{ 342 comments… read them below or add one }
Yum! I am such a vanilla addict!! My all-time favorite recipe is Vanilla Bean Buttercream http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2008/03/vanilla-bean-buttercream-frosting.html It tastes just like melted vanilla ice cream! Those vanilla beans would be such a treat for a broke college kid haha
Awesome giveaway!! My favorite recipe using vanilla bean is the classic vanilla ice cream. You can't beat it!
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2009/02/03/classic-vanilla-ice-cream/
I also Tweeted about the giveaway!
http://twitter.com/browneyedbaker/status/2901997862
Hey, Jamie!
I NEVER enter contests, but this one I had to.
Here's a rustic apple pie I once posted that uses vanilla beans.
http://www.sophistimom.com/rustic-apple-tart/
Thanks for posting such a fun giveaway!
what a great post! I love love love vanilla! Vanilla bean is good in so many things, it really makes a difference in ice cream or creme brulee!
I have never used vanilla beans before but would LOVE to! I would make a delicious vanilla bean pastry cream for the middle of my cupcakes!
I ADORE vanilla, especially the chance to bake with vanilla beans. At 12.99 a bean here I have to be careful how bean-happy I get sometimes!! GREAT giveaway!!
i have never used vanilla beans before. I ordered some one time, but they were so dry they were not useable. I would love to try some in Dorie's Vanilla ice cream. I think it would made a great ice cream incredible.
Also twittered!!! Tweetered!! Whatever.
i have yet to have the pleasure of using a vanilla bean yet, but i would LOVE to try some homemade vanilla bean ice cream! i always loved those little black flecks in my ice cream!
Pear Crisp with Vanilla Brown Butter! Absolute heaven!
http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/12/pear-crisps-with-vanilla-brown-butter/
Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
I would have to say my favorite recipe using vanilla beans would be Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee. The best one I've ever tried was from the Dessert Truck in NYC. So so good!
vanilla bean shortbread cookies… pure heaven!
Sadly, I have never made anything with actual vanilla beans, but I win I swear to use them well
I think I'd try a creme brulee first thing.
Honestly, I've never used vanilla beans before, but I think they would be great in ice creams or frostings. Breyer's vanilla bean ice cream is one of my favorites, and it would be awesome to make something like that at home.
angelilee91@gmail dot com
French Vanilla Cake is my ultimate favourite use for vanilla beans (its a variation of the recipe from Vanilla Garlic: http://www.vanillagarlic.com/2007/08/french-vanilla-cupcakes-with-rose.html). Of course sealing the pods into a jar of sugar (or a box of teabags!) is wonderful too!
Also Tweeted your giveaway… from @jo_jo_ba
I am a vanilla bean addict! I make my own vanilla sugar and give it away to friends around holiday time. It's great for recipes, for your morning coffee, and for sprinkling on fresh fruit!
Creme Brulee is the perfect way to make vanilla beans shine through! It's simple and I love the flecks dotted throughout the creaminess of the classic custard.
Awesome giveaway! I ADORE these vanilla bean figs that I made last summer…I should definitely make them again before fig season disappears!
http://cupcakemuffin.blogspot.com/2008/09/vanilla-figs-with-honeybee-ice-cream.html
it may be simple, but i absolutely love using vanilla beans for making vanilla extract…it doesn't get better than homemade
yuuuummmmmmm!!! i love vanilla beans, though i rarely get a chance to buy them.
The last time I did i tried out this recipe-vanilla bean cupcakes- and it was a big hit- http://www.chow.com/recipes/12129.
Hope I win!
and tweeted! woohoo!
The last recipe I tried that called for a real vanilla bean was for caramel. I walked away from the stove and totally burned it. I'm dying to try it again.
I love making pastry cream with vanilla beans! Yum!
Gina
gigimcgaryatyahoodotcom
I would use them to make vanilla bean cupcakes.
Gina
gigimcgaryatyahoodotcom
I twitted.
I LOVE vanilla–I think I'm an addict. I can't decide if I like it in homemade ice cream or frosting better. Love it.
I'll be crossing y fingers.
I love vanilla bean ice cream. Been experimenting with various recipes this summer – all have been great, but I'm still looking for THE PERFECT recipe.
I love using vanilla beans in pastry cream for cream puffs, but last week I made apricot jam from the best apricots (rival variety) and I added vanilla bean during the cooking process. It was AMAZING–the vanilla bean brought out the apricot flavor and it is now my new favorite flavor combination!! I will be posting the recipe soon…in the meantime, pick me, pick me, pick me!!
I'll add vanilla to almost anything–but, I really like throwing some into things like homemade chutney, or even (I confess) chili.
WOW Jamie, that's quite a treasure. For me, more precious than the crown jewels!! I'm a total vanilla bean addict & have two fave recipes.One is a Bavarian Cream & the other Pure Vanilla Extract.At any given time I have abottle of extract to use, & another one under 'construction'! Have tried the Indian & Madagascar beans. The others are ever so intriguing.Pick me RIG, pick me please! I have a US addres…
RT'd…
RT @leahweinberg: giveaway! FORTY vanilla beans! Check it out at @bakingaddiction – http://bit.ly/4xTB7
half a minute ago from TweetDeck
This is a GREAT giveaway! *crosses fingers* I just made a recipe that would be PERFECT with these awesome beans: very vanilla bean ice cream.
http://cake0rdeath.blogspot.com/2009/07/twd-vanilla-bean-ice-cream-sandwiches.html
Yummm! I love vanilla!! The whiff of it anytime in our house is welcome… I always sniff inside my oven once I am done with baking cakes/cookies
My fave recipe to date is the Peaches n Cream Gateau I made last Sunday for my Grand Aunt's 87 th birthday! And I must say…it was beautiful…both to look at & to gorge upon! 
Hers's the link
http://riascollection.blogspot.com/2009/07/peaches-cream-gateau-with-hazlenut.html
Incase I win…will give u my US addy
I have tweeted for ya!
RiaMathewRT @vindee @leahweinberg: giveaway! FORTY vanilla beans! Check it out at @bakingaddiction – http://bit.ly/4xTB7
less than 5 seconds ago from web
What an amazing giveaway! My all-time favorite recipe using vanilla bean is either to make extract, or to make creme brulee, s that the vanilla really shines through!
And since everyone is doing it, I'll also give a U.S friend's address, who can forward to me!
I tweeted too : http://twitter.com/AvanikaYB/status/2905761694
vanilla is my absolute favorite flavor in the world!~~i always skip over any recipe that calls for the bean though, because i just can't afford them~~i would love, love, LOVE to win this!!
brandydreamz@insightbb.com
Vanilla is the best! I have only ever made one recipe with vanilla beans…vanilla bean icecream…yum, yum, yum! It would be amazing to try other types of beans…and many other recipes! Thanks for the chance!
Oh my goodness!! Whoever wins is a very very lucky person!
My very favorite recipe using vanilla would have to be
http://feasting-art.blogspot.com/2009/05/manets-almond-cake-with-grapes-peaches.html
(however I used extract because I didn't have any vanilla beans around – the recipe would be so much better with a bean!).
I know I can't enter because I live in OZ but I wanted to share a recipe regardless. Good luck to the entrants!
I love using vanilla beans in homemade vanilla ice cream!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
Wow what an awesome giveaway! My favorite vanilla bean recipe it Baking Bites Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Bars!
http://bakingbites.com/2007/08/vanilla-bean-cheesecake-bars/
Here's my Tweet!
http://twitter.com/CelticheartD/statuses/2907236656
There's nothing better than vanilla bean ice cream, or "black speck" ice cream, as I called it when I was a little kid.
I almost wrote vanilla ice cream because it's fantastic and classic…but I'm writing this in the morning so I keep gravitating toward vanilla bean pound cake! I like this recipe because it's a good reminder of how you can do more than scrape the seeds or simmer the pod. So, make some vanilla ice cream today and pound cake tomorrow.
http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/02/the-posh-life-with-speckles/
Vanilla bean ice cream. I'm making some for my birthday on Friday
I also tweeted about the giveaway!
http://twitter.com/syrup_honey/status/2907849315
Yummy! I have a love for vanilla bean ice cream! It is so good!
My favorite way to use them is in home made ice creams, its so aromatic and beautiful.
My twitter post:
http://twitter.com/PaulasCatering
I use pure vanilla extract in everything but I've never, ever, never been lucky enough to find a vanilla bean at my grocer's. This is such an awesome giveaway! Thanks for the chance to try this for myself.
Creme brulee!! I love it, and it so needs those little vanilla specks in it. YUM!
I love to use them in a cream cheese vanilla bean frosting, ooooohh yeah! Thanks for the giveaway!
Pastry cream, pastry cream, pastry cream. I love love love the stuff and I will not make it w/out vanilla beans!!! Ever!!!
http://nikisbakingspot.blogspot.com/2008/11/eclairs-pate-choux-swans-napoleons-and.html
just tweeted! @marnie1124
ooh it has to be vanilla icecream! but with chocolate cheesecake on the side, much like this recipe here but swapping the expresso sauce for more choccie sauce!
tweeted too! @gugaw
My favorite use of vanilla (and bean works great), is actually really good chocolate chip cookies. The vanilla flavor is critical to the cookies.
http://livefireonline.com/2007/10/18/jaays-best-ever-chocolate-chip-cookies/
I love vanilla but have never shelled out the $$ for vanilla beans. I would love to try them. (I hope this entry still counts since I didn't leave a favorite recipe)
Also tweeted:
Vanilla bean info and giveaway… http://bit.ly/2jrGTH
Oh, I love vanilla beans! I make my own vanilla extract by putting beans in either a bottle of vodka or bourbon. That's really my favorite use, but they're great in home-made vanilla ice cream too!
I love vanilla beans! I make my own vanilla extract by placing them in a bottle of either vodka or bourbon. That's my favorite use, but it's great in home-made vanilla ice cream too!
Oooh, pick me!! I have been wanting to make vanilla bean ice cream practically forever but vanilla beans are SO expensive!
I'd have to say that creme brulee is definitely my favorite application of vanilla beans.
Also, I always save the pod and stick it in a Mason jar with sugar. So yummy in hot chocolate in the winter months!
Would luuurve to have all those varieties to try!
I got the idea from the PBS show Lidias Table she made a sage pudding. Found some pineapple sage ths year and made a pipeapple sage and vinilla panna cotta. Yum
I've only used real (cheap) vanilla beans to make my own extract (per Dorie Greenspan http://www.doriegreenspan.com/2009/03/even-if-chocolate-is-your-favorite-flavor.html) but want to experience working with them. If I could, I'd try a mousse (among other things) like Peabody (as everything she makes is awesome).
http://www.culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody.com/2007/04/16/hhdd-11mousseand-not-the-kind-for-your-hair/
I also re-tweeted the giveaway here! http://twitter.com/sugarcrafter/status/2908979769
I have a pile of vanilla bean recipes I've been wanting to try but have yet to find a vanilla bean in this city. Therefore, I don't know what my fave recipe is.
Who knew there was so much to learn about vanilla beans? My favorite use for the little jewels is in this Vanilla Bean Raspberry Blueberry Cheesecake. I originally found the recipe in an old Bon Appetit (maybe 1997?), and won a dessert contest at my church with it. It's beyond delicious! Make it now while the berries are in season!
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Raspberry-and-Blueberry-Vanilla-Cheesecake-4306
I make my own vanilla extract using vanilla beans and bourbon. It makes baked goods taste amazing!
lesliejankowski (at) gmail.com
I love the flavor of vanilla. It is just so yummy.
I have a family recipe of Zucchini bread which utilizes vanilla extract and vanilla bean. It tastes so fresh. No wonder my nephew (who is 3 just devours it).
I have never actually used vanilla beans in a recipe due to the cost of them, but there have been so many icing and ice cream recipes I've wanted to try with them!
I, too, like the vanilla bean buttercream from cupcake project. YUM! Also add to ice cream base while simmering the milk/cream.
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/goodLifeEats/status/2909491198
Very cool, I've been wanting to make my own vanilla and vanilla sugar….I sit here with my fingers, toes, arms and legs crossed!
Vanilla bean ice cream is amazing! I have never used vanilla beans before but I am dying to try making Vanilla Bean Spritz cookies.
What a great giveaway! I love making my own vanilla extract and syrup. Great recipe–
Lemon vanilla ricotta pancakes
2 cups ricotta
4 large eggs, separated
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 vanilla bean scraped
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch salt
Butter, for cooking
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting, optional
1 cup maple syrup, warmed on stove-top
Combine the ricotta, egg yolks, buttermilk, lemon juice, and lemon zest and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Sift the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together into the ricotta mixture and stir until fully combined. In a separate bowl whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form and then gently fold into the batter.
Heat a large nonstick pan over medium heat and add a little butter. Cook 2 to 3 pancakes at a time using a 6-ounce ladle or measuring cup to pour the batter into the pan.
I love vanilla beans! I love to make homemade vanilla pudding with real vanilla beans and then use it in a trifle with fresh berries and pound cake.
katitafenn@hotmail.com
What an amazing giveaway! I just discovered the joys of using real beans – so my favorite way to use them would have to be creme brulee.
mybakingadventures@gmail.com
I love Beanilla — they have great prices & great quality.
Hands down — vanilla bean ice cream!
Twittered @ Vanilla Bean Giveaway @ http://bit.ly/4fQsk
Giada has a butternut squash and vanilla risotto that is yummy – a great fall dish! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/butternut-squash-and-vanilla-risotto-recipe/index.html
sharab@gmail.com
I adore vanilla. It is one of my favorites to work with. I use it in anything that I can – from ice cream, to apple pie, to pound cakes. Not only do I love the taste, but the smell brings me back to the times my mother and I would cook in the kitchen together.
I have three favorite uses… vanilla ice cream, vanilla buttercream, and a super delicious vanilla sour cream topping that I put on one of my cheesecake recipes (it's to die for delicious).
Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter this giveaway!
Mmmm…French Vanilla ice cream. I also want to make my own pure vanilla extract with the beans/vodka trick.
I have never used vanilla beans, but my 5 y/o always reminds me that vanilla makes everything better when baking. I'd love to try homemade ice cream with it and I LOVE vanilla frostings.
Wow 40 different vanilla beans! Thats heavenly I have so many recipes I would love to use vanilla beans on but they are so expensive. I only buy when I cant stand it anymore. I love vanilla buttercream and it just taste so much better when you use the beans! I am making mini wedding cakes for a bridal shower and would love to add some of these awesome vanilla flavors to the cake and frosting!
I've never used vanilla beans due to expense, but would LOVE to make my own vanilla extract, which I do use A LOT!
Awesome! I've never used a vanilla bean in my life, but if I did, I would use it to make Brown Sugar Vanilla Ice Cream from the Sweet Melissa Baking Book.
I have never used vanilla beans, but I'd love to try!
Wow! That is an awesome giveaway.
My hubby tells me I'm obsessed with vanilla. I eat anything vanilla, I have vanilla body spray, soap, shampoo and conditioner! I would love to make my own, homemade Creme Brulee. Yummmmmmm.
And for the twitter…
http://twitter.com/kaitsplate/statuses/2910326956
Hey! I love the flavour of vanilla! My fave vanilla recipe is vanilla cupcakes from this recipe http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/02/the-posh-life-with-speckles/
with a chocolate or vanilla frosting!!
If i get picked i'l give u my US address.Happy Baking!
I tweeted abt the giveaway..
http://twitter.com/Fuchsia_D
My favorite recipe would have to be creme brulee!!!
rachaelclj@yahoo.com
My favorite recipe is for Vanilla Cheesecake.
I think any recipe which uses a real fresh custard is perfect for vanilla beans, bread pudding, creme brulee or boston cream pie. Mmmm
Is there anything Vanilla isn't good in? Though for pure vanilla enjoyment icecream is the way to go.
I think real vanilla acccentuates almost any dish! One big hit is my creme brulee.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Ginger-and-Vanilla-Bean-Creme-Brulee-100487
I do take out 1 egg yolk, because I think this recipe is too eggy as is, though.
I love vanilla beans as well! Great giveaway.
Sadly, I have never used a vanilla bean due to the cost, but I would love to try making America's Test Kitchen's recipe for vanilla cream. YUM!
Vanilla, my number one flavor, followed closely by dark chocolate. I didn't make this, but has got to be the best use of the vanilla bean I have ever seen or tasted.
http://youknowwhatyououghtado.blogspot.com/2009/07/chef-george-franciscos-signature-panna.html
I love working with fresh vanilla beans. I made a great Panna Cotta with them just last week and I love using them in pastry cream! Great giveaway!
Oops, gave you a Tweet shoutout, too!! What is that called, a SQUAWK maybe? LOL!
Hmm, I got your twitter handle wrong… I tweeted to @mybakingaddiction, not @baking addiction. Hope my twitter entry still counts!
you lucky gal! the only recipe i've ever tried that uses vanilla bean is for ice cream, but now i want to try so much more–i had no idea such varieties existed!
We have a friend who is a chef and his Creme Brulee is AMAZING. It is definitely my favorite. I don't have the recipe though.
I am a huge vanilla addict. I put it in ANYTHING! If it doesn't call for it in the recipe, I simply assume it was a mistake and add some anyway. Yum!
My all time favourite has to be this vanilla panna cotta I made recently. It just had such an amazing vanilla flavour to it.
http://guiltykitchen.com/?p=100
Of course, it would be vanilla ice cream! It's a classic, and always good.
I too adore vanilla, but I have yet to baked with the actual vanilla bean. So what I would do is maybe try my favorite summer dessert, Tiramisu, with real vanilla!
http://barefoot-in-the-kitchen.blogspot.com/2009/06/tiramisu.html
Pannacotta. There is nothing like the flavor of dairy paired with vanilla.
Creme Brulee is the way to go!
I've been wanting to make vanilla ice cream. I have memories of all us grandkids churning ice cream by hand on Easter Sunday at my grandparents house. It was the best tasting ice cream I've ever eaten.
Yummy Cheesecake!
http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/desserts/freezer-box-cheesecake/
Considering I have a brand new kitchen torch just waiting to be used, I'd use them on a Creme Brulee (mini ones of course).
this recipe is a great appetizer for holiday get togethers or a girl's night in! except i use all cream cheese and omit the goat cheese and instead of pistachios i use pecans or walnuts…
http://www.vanilla.com/showcase/docs/vanilla-cheese-spread.html
Nothing beats homemade vanilla ice cream on a summers night.
i adore vanilla – especially making my own extract.
i'd say my favorite thing to do with a fresh vanilla bean is make a mandarin orange and vanilla upside down cake.
I tweeted too!
http://twitter.com/rachaelclj/status/2912572832
rachaelclj@yahoo.com
My favorite recipe is a vanilla cheesecake.
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/vanilla-cheesecake-with-chocolate-glaze?autonomy_kw=vanilla%20cheesecake&rsc=header_1
knh.tan@gmail.com
Vanilla bean coconut cupcakes!
http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2009/04/vanilla_bean_coconut_cupcakes_with_coconut_frosting
sooooo rich and delicious
ellebell4@gmail.com
my favorite way to utilize vanilla beans is by making my own vanilla extract, I have 2 full vodka bottles on my shelf right now and will be ready in a month
As far as baking with it goes, I have been hoarding this recipe til I can get my hands on more beans:
http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/02/the-posh-life-with-speckles/
lovemeknotcreations@gmail.com
i tweeted! @lovemeknot
nothing shows off the great taste of vanilla beans like vanilla bean ice cream!
I love to cook and bake. The family joke is that everyone has their own cooking "quirk" and it was decided that mine was vanilla. I am getting ready to make my own vanilla extract with beans I bought in Hawaii. But I add vanilla to lots of things, even recipes that don't call for it. My basic pancake batter from Better Homes & Garden cookbook gets a healthy splash of vanilla every time I make them.
I can get enough of homeade vanilla bean ice cream! There is nothing else like it!
Very fun!! Mine would either be creme brulee or vanilla bean ice cream. YUMMO
We are bigtime vanilla lovers around here. The best thing I ever ate that contained vanilla beans was a slice of Vanilla Bean Cheesecake from the Calderone Club in Wisconsin. Oh man, that was heaven in a slice!!
And I tweeted about the giveaway!
http://twitter.com/hayatiggs
Just posted about the giveaway on Twitter – I used my first whole bean making vanilla custard! I loved the info about the different types of beans, btw.
I love love love vanilla beans! And making my own extract – its so easy and much cheaper than buying it I'll never go back to store bought stuff! My favorite vanilla recipe has to be a simple vanilla ice cream where the vanilla you use it definitely the star.
Fav vanilla bean recipe? This is a tough one, but Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream is right up there.
I love making homemade vanilla extract. I use either vodka, bourbon, or rum. I'd love to have a collection extracts using all the varieties in this giveaway! Did you know that a single jar of homemade vanilla extract will last up to 25 years? Just leave the bean inside the jar, and top up the liquid with more alcohol as you use it.
I've never had the pleasure of using an actual vanilla bean, but if I had one (or 40) I make vanilla bean ice cream, custard, creme brulee, basically anything smooth and creamy that would be a beautiful background to those famous specks.
Vanilla Bean-Nutmeg Shake with Blackberry Swirl
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/vanilla-bean-nutmeg-shake-with-blackberry-swirl-recipe/index.html
yum…love vanilla! great giveaway…
peggy cullen has a wonderful recipe in food & wine…here's the link!http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/vanilla-bean-cheesecake-with-walnut-crust
vanilla in baking & body scrubs!
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/knhtan/status/2914543753
Hmm. I actually haven't made many things with vanilla beans. But I do know that I fancied the vanilla mousse I made to go with the December Daring Bakers challenge. 'Twas nifty.
I also fancy throwing vanilla seeds into cream cheese frosting and the like.
I've never made anything with vanilla beans–but would LOVE to! I would probably make vanilla ice cream first!! Boy, you sure are lucky to get all those beans!
I love vanilla beans..I always rub some on my hands when I use them in baking. The vanilla flavor and aroma comes through wonderfully in almond crunchies, which are almond loaded shortbread style cookies. My mommy loves them too =)
There is nothing quite like a vanilla bean!! This is my fav recipe to use them in http://www.thecookingphotographer.com/2009/06/vanilla-bean-custard-ice-cream.html. I didn't have any when I made it last and I know it would've been a BAZILLION times better if I had! This is a terrific giveaway!
I love love love vanilla! I used to dab watered down mexican vanilla on my neck like perfume when I was a teenager! lol! I have never had the chance to work with vanilla beans, but I saw Alton Brown use them on Good Eats, and have wanted to try it since!
I Can't wait to try this recipe! "Chop Macadamia Nut Pie With Vanilla Bean Ice Cream And Nocello Whipped Cream"
http://bit.ly/Cn4iG
I also retweeted your contest tweet as @dalyn
Thanks!
The recipe I made recently was Pioneer Woman's vanilla bean ice cream:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/07/vanilla-bean-ice-cream/
I had never made ice-cream before, but now I am an old pro (and will always make my own)!
Vanilla bean ice cream is my favorite!
I tweeted here too: http://twitter.com/corynnchan/status/2915637169
corynnchan@yahoo.com
The best way to use vanilla beans is in a pastry cream or plain vanilla ice cream. Yummy!
My name is Emily and I am a vanilla bean addict! My fave vanilla bean recipe is http://www.joyofbaking.com/CremePatisserie.html, a very classic pastry creme, and I eat it by the spoonfull.
Will also tweet, @bitesizecakes
Aloha from Hawaii. I love vanilla beans, but can only get them when family and friends visit Tahiti. My favorite recipe using vanilla beans is a Tahitian dessert called banana po'e. It uses banana, tapioca starch, sugar, vanilla beans, and coconut milk.
Creme brulee. I don't have a favorite recipe; pretty much any will do.
I've started using vanilla bean paste instead of real vanilla beans because the last time I used a vanilla bean I sliced open the palm of my hand (don't ask…not pretty though!)
I love Creme Brulee…a vanilla bean is a must!
I've never played in the kitchen with a vanilla bean, but I REALLY REALLY want to!
The vanilla bean buttercream sound phenomenal!
-Reneé
monee2000 at yahoo.com
Oooo…yum! I do so much with vanilla that it is hard to decide! I love to make Lavender Creme Brulee but I also infuse the cream with a vanilla bean along with the lavender. The recipe (minus the addition of the vanilla) can be found at the following address…. http://whatscookingamerica.net/LavCremeBrulee.htm
Jennifer
Pretty much anything… but what else lets good vanilla shine through other than homemade vanilla ice cream?
I'm with the "kitchenette"….I love using vanilla beans in homemade ice cream. Nothing else compares!
I love to bake sugar cookies with vanilla bean. Great giveaway — thanks!
I have never actually used or tasted anything with pure vanilla beans..I imagine it is quite heavenly!
Sadly I have not had access to Vanilla Beans that seemed fresh locally so I have not tried them. I have a new yogurt maker, and I bet that a vanilla bean addition would yield fantastic results.
Alexis
P.S. Glad to see that us Canadians are eligible to enter now
Thanks!!!
I don't know if this counts but I would love to make homemade vanilla extract and use it for baking. I've heard it's a lot better than baking with imitation.
I don't usually cook with vanilla beans but I've tried a great Vanilla Infused Hot Chocolate recipe in the past. Here's where I found it:
http://spices.suite101.com/article.cfm/vanilla_bean_dessert_recipes
I am addicted to cream brulee, with fresh vanila, of course. Delish!
I love plain old vanilla bean ice cream! mmm!
juliexperez@gmail.com
Well, I do not use vanilla beans as much as I could, because of the expense. But I do love vanilla creme brulee, although I don't have a recipe to post a link to. I'd love to create a dinner recipe using vanilla beans….maybe I need to go buy some and invent something, now that I'm thinking about it! Vanilla…balsamic vinegar…maybe a dressing, maybe a marinade….mmmmm! If I win the vanilla beans, I will post a recipe I create!
oh wow. 40 vanilla beans. that is so amazing! with the price of them, I only use them on a pure vanilla item, not anything where the vanilla is playing back up to chocolate or fruit or something.
The first thing I would make is Creme Brulee. I think I would even buy a torch for it rather than trying to do it in the broiler, which never seems to work.
I have to be a copy cat and say the vanilla bean buttercream from Cupcake project, love that to death.
My favorite recipe is definitely vanilla bean ice cream!
jitchan@gmail.com
Awesome giveaway! Count me in!
jliberatore@gmail.com
Jamie, if I didn't like you already I really wouldn't have you so luckily get FORTY vanilla beans!!! I've never even used (or gotten to taste) one. Yup, the greeen eyed monster is rearing her ugly head over here! All kidding aside. Thanks for sharing. I don't have a recipe I've made using beans but would love to try sweet melissa's brown sugar vanilla bean ice cream that alot of bloggers made a few weeks ago.
~ingrid
I love using vanilla beans in ice cream or homemade pudding!
my mom's recipe for chocolate croissant bread pudding. so good.
I've never baked with a vanilla bean, but I'd love to try a creme brulee..and it would give me an excuse to buy a kitchen torch, too!
ohhhh what a fun giveaway. I bought my last bunch of Vanilla from ebay.
I am needing some more.
I made some vanilla extract w/ mine
http://thehungryhousewife.blogspot.com/2008/10/vanilla-extract-eventually.html
I've never used them but I am dying to!
Those vanilla beans look amazing! I'm so excited about your giveaway! My favorite recipe using vanilla bean is probably traditional vanilla ice cream (sorry, no link as I haven't ever blogged about it when I've made it).
My favorite recipe that uses vanilla beans is just a simple vanilla pound cake. It showcases the vanilla flavor so well!
I love making Ani Phyo's raw donut holes, the vanilla bean really brings out the flavor but i usually can't afford them!
I found this recipe: http://www.recipegirl.com/2009/01/07/triple-vanilla-bean-bars/
It was the first time I've ever used a vanilla bean and our entire family is ADDICTED to them. Those beans are stinkin' expensive. I'd love to win a chance to spoil my hubby with another batch of these yummy bars. Although, seeing all these other recipes has excited me to try something new. Thanks!
I like to scrape a vanilla bean into my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe:
http://www.recipegirl.com/2008/08/10/secret-recipe-chocolate-chip-cookies/
I love vanilla. I would use them to make vanilla bean cheesecake and vanilla bean ice cream. There would be enough leftovers to try some fantastic new recipes.
I'm very traditional, so I love vanilla beans in Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, like the one I made here http://mangiodasola.blogspot.com/2009/04/vanilla-bean-ice-cream.html. After I finish scraping out the seeds/beans, I like to put the rest into my sugar bean to make vanilla sugar. YUM!
There's nothing easier than homemade vanilla extract. I also love vanilla pastry cream!
Yum yum , I recently tried a coconut vanilla bean recipe from an old Sunset magazine..it was super…finally a really good coconut tapioca!!
This is such a great contest. I love vanilla cupcakes with vanilla beans in the batter. So delicious.
My favorite way to use the vanilla bean is for cupcakes and cheesecake. I love getting all the seeds into the batter and having the specks show when they are baked. Vanilla bean sugar + Vanilla Bean Batter + Vanilla Bean Frosting.
Tweeted!
http://twitter.com/littlespace/status/2925660538
Oh man – ANYTHING vanilla is good with me! Here's a recipe:
http://gottalittlespacetofill.blogspot.com/2009/01/cinnamon-buns-with-cream-cheese-vanilla.html
Cinnamon buns with cream cheese vanilla bean frosting! Nom nom nom.
Wow this is a great giveaway!! I use vanilla beans with vodka to make my own extract (which makes cute gifts). Soak beans in vodka for many months – that's it!
Ooh I think I'd have to try and make proper vanilla icecream!
Tweeted about it, too
http://twitter.com/Melaina25
I'm a huge fan of a vanilla ice cream recipe I found on Saveur.com. I can't think of a better way to get a purer taste of vanilla.
I love vanilla beans, especially in ice creams and homemade extract!
I tweeted about the giveaway as well! @lsuaimzgurl
Just wanted to thank you for the coupon! I've never worked with vanilla beans before, but I plan to now!
I recently made Dorie's Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and it has to be the creamiest, most delicious ice cream I've ever had.
Forget marshmallows with sweet potatoes… this is SO much better!
Vanilla Bean Whipped Sweet Potatoes:
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/vanilla-bean-whipped-sweet-potatoes
I tweeted it, too!
~Mama2CamKat~
Blueberry lemon ice cream made with coconut milk…
Recipe with pictures here!
http://anahata56.livejournal.com/706164.html#cutid1
Make creme brulee every day for the bakery I work in….the vanilla beans make ALL the difference!
Wow–very cool giveaway! I love using vanilla beans for the simple flavors like creme brulee and ice cream. It feels like an extravagence and makes the simple be amazing.
I use Vanilla in everything, especially in summer. I often put it in poaching liquids for peaches or pears, but my favorite recipe to show off vanilla bean is Bavarian Cream: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Bavarian-Cream-with-Raspberry-Coulis-235956 I use 1/2 the gelatin, but most is the same as this recipe.
dwgray0422@gmail.com
So far I have only made one recipe using a vanilla bean: the Vanilla Ice Cream for TWD. And I loved it!!
I would love to try and make my own Vanilla Essence!!
I've actually only used real vanilla beans once… and loved this recipe:
http://megan-deliciousdishings.blogspot.com/2009/06/raspberry-brown-butter-tartlets.html
I would love to use them to make panna cotta too.
OMG! I just found you site and am dying to try some of your recipes! I'm a huge cheesecake fan and the first one will be the Kuhlua and the the Turtle! And the vanilla bean giveaway?!?! I don't have a link to it, but I make this Vanilla Creme Brulee… It's so good with the ho hum beans I find at the local stores I can't imagine what they'd taste like with those gourmet beans! I'd love to make a brulee with each type of bean to note the differences.
Vanilla is such a delightful and complex flavor. Patricia Rain's book, _Vanilla: The Cultural History of the World's Favorite Flavor and Fragrance_, is a fascinating history of this most heavenly pod.
I'm trying my hand at making vanilla liqueur. I'll let you know how it is when it is ready in about a month!
Toni Loftin
toniloftin@myway.com
I use vanilla beans in nearly every recipe that calls for vanilla, but my all-time favorite has to be the Butter Vanilla Ice Cream that Chef Keegan Gerhard taught me when we worked together at The Ritz Carlton: http://tinyurl.com/buttervanilla
My favorite recipe for creme bruille, I love it. You make vanilla sugar for the top, and what I don't use for my creme bruille I end up using in my tea.
Those beans look really beautiful. Vanilla beans — perfect for creme brulee. This ginger and vanilla bean creme brulee is a favorite of mine:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Ginger-and-Vanilla-Bean-Creme-Brulee-100487
I'd have to go with a classic vanilla bean ice cream! I would love to win these to experiment more!
I've never been bold enough to buy a vanilla bean – even though I've always wanted to try using one – for the same reason you said… SO expensive – and since they don't get high turnover, very likely NOT worth the money!
I adore real vanilla flavor, though, and would love to try these… In ice cream, in cake, in frosting… I'm starting an impossibly stressful time at work right now so I could use a little baking fun!
I'm totally all for the classic vanilla ice cream…
However I have also been aching to try making my own vanilla extract with vodka or bourbon!
A nice way to punch things up!
I also just tweeted!
I splurged on 20 vanilla beans earlier this summer. After reading your post, my stash feels much too small! My favorite recipe is Dorie's vanilla bean ice cream, though I'll be trying all the others listed in your blog's comments. What a great resource. Thanks!!
I love making my own vanilla with rum and would LOVE to try some of these different beans for that.
I've just started making my own yogurt, and my own vanilla syrup to sweeten it (and vanilla extract). I simply cannot begin to imagine all the yummy vanilla bean inspired concoctions I could enjoy!
Oh my, I never knew there are all these varieties. I thought a vanilla bean was just a vanilla bean…Duh! I've only used them for making kahlua but I will definitely try new recipes now!
i would really like to try vanilla bean ice cream! thanks so much!
ohirene@gmail.com
As a child I used to love Louis Sherry Vanilla ice cream because it was the only one that had the vanilla flecks in it. That was the beginning of my vanilla bean experience. Now as an adult, I use vanilla in everything but vanilla beans sparingly because of the expense. One of my favorite things to use the beans in is my rice pudding recipe. I use rice mild and the beans add a wonderful flavor to the pudding. I am sorry not to be able to attach the recipe as I am visiting family on the east coast at this time but facebook keeps me connected. So glad I found you there…
O-o-o-h vanilla – such a marvelous, heady scent! Baking anything with vanilla, from a nice pastry cream to a delectable buttercream frosting. But then there's the body products – Sweetest Kisses lip balm made with honey & vanilla, Visions of Vanilla body butter… and the list goes on. Thanks Jaime for putting this together! Here's hoping I'm lucky.
I love anything made with vanilla bean, my favorite ice cream to buy is Schwan's Vanilla Bean. And my favorite Food Network personality has a great ice cream recipe, and you can change the preserves to any type you like (I'm a fool for strawberry):
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/serious-vanilla-ice-cream-recipe/index.html
If this duplicates, I'm sorry. It didn't tell me it sent.
I love vanilla bean in ice cream. My favorite ice cream to buy is Schwan's Vanilla Bean.
Here is my favorite ice cream recipe from my favorite Food Network personality:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/serious-vanilla-ice-cream-recipe/index.html
J'adore la vanille!! I would say one of my stand out/fav recipes for vanilla beans is for chai: http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/chai-tea-with-milk?autonomy_kw=chai&rsc=header_3
I think I would love to use them in like creme brulees or ice cream or anything like that. This sounds so awesome!
I am a vanilla addict. I use it in any baking/dessert application for its alluring flavor and aroma in such things as chocolate chip cookies to Vanilla bean souffle.
I also use vanilla in savory applications too. I have a favorite dish I use to get at a restaurant in Carmel CA, Brasserie Q Point, unfortunately it is no longer there. It was Lobster Friccasse, a vanilla-scented/flecked creamy lobster sauce with lobster chunks, mushrooms, and shallots; baked in a terrine topped with puff pastry. It was truly glorious. Since then, I have been adding vanilla as a secret ingredient in many exotic themed sauces and dishes.
Scotty Cameron
Vanilla is my favorite flavor! I love Vanilla popcorn. Here's a link
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Vanilla-Popcorn/Detail.aspx
A light, sweet snack!
http://www.TrimmedandTaylored.blogspot.com
Thanks!
I tweeted this up! (my handle is Whippedbakeshop)
I love using vanilla in fresh pastry cream, creme anglaise, and creme brulee. Those tiny crunchy seeds are so amazing and add so much to creamy desserts.
I adore vanilla, and Beanilla is the best place to get it!
My very favorite thing to do with vanilla is to make my own vanilla extract…it's so easy to do, and it's the best extract I've ever used!
I LOVE vanilla pudding. If well made, it's the best!!
I love working with vanilla beans. When you get really dry ones, don't be afraid to cut them in half and infuse them in heavy cream or milk on the stove–if you pour it through a tea strainer, the wonderful seeds still come through the strainer, but the bean fibers won't. So, you can cut it up and scrape it real good, then put it in the pot and bring to a boil, to make sure you get all the seeds loose. That cream can be used for anything–even whipping if you let it get ice cold again.
I'm a pastry chef at work, but at home I eat low carb, so I would make:http://www.atkins.com/Recipes/ShowRecipe650/Vanilla-Bean-Biscotti.aspx
I love vanilla beans, I even have a vanilla bean plant. My favorite thing to do with vanilla beans is bake them alone in the oven – the whole house smells delicious for days after!
I love vanilla beans. My DD opens the jar just to smell them. LOL! Alton Brown's vanilla ice cream is our go-to recipe. We make it too often!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/serious-vanilla-ice-cream-recipe/index.html
Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway! ~~Rhonda
reacoulter at gmail dot com
favorite vanilla bean desserts are flan and rice pudding!
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vanilla-Bean-Rice-Pudding-351549
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vanilla-Bean-Flan-102956
tweet:
http://twitter.com/leilasalim/status/2935094543
Easy and fun:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Portuguese-Custard-Tarts—Pasteis-de-Nata/Detail.aspx
These Caneles are amazing.
http://www.shootfirsteatlater.com/2009/07/caneles-from-heat-at-edsa-shangri-la.html
regis.r.lacher@gmail.com
perhaps it's too quotidian, but I like vanilla beans in the warm milk I add to my coffee. My boyfriend was using vanilla beans for the first time last month. I asked him to slit the beans lengthwise, and then scrape the beans all out like so. When I turned back around he had done the job: the length of the beans itself was clean – and the insides were in the garbage!
Ever since a friend on myspace sent a package of vanilla beans to me , i have used nothing but. I have to say my favorite recipe with it is an Alaskan Sheet Cake, the vanilla specks and flavor really shine through!
http://redsroost.blogspot.com/2009/07/alaskan-sheet-cake.html
I've never used vanilla beans… they're not in my budget!
This could be considered boring but my favorite recipe with Vanilla beans is plain vanilla pastry cream. It the one recipe I find that really brings out the flavor of vanilla at its finest.
I'd love to make some sort of edible lotion with the beans, maybe a brown sugar/vanilla bean scrub. It would require lots of experimentation to get it right of course
http://www.familyoven.com/offsite?r_id=97925&u=http://www.recipezaar.com/39798
My all time favorite comfort food was made by my grandmother. I replicate it when feeling the need to be near her. This link to Tapioca Pudding is close: I amend as follows: Soak tapioca pearls one hour in room temp milk before using. Increase eggs to (4) and replace 1/2 c milk with half and half or cream. Add one vanilla bean (scrapings)to the pudding at the end once the egg whites have been folded into the warm pudding mixture. (the remaining bean goes into the milk mixture while heating on the stove. Sprinkle pudding with cinnamon, cover with plastic wrap that touches the pudding to prevent moisture from forming in the refridgerator, served chilled. Purrfect comfort food, I could eat the whole bowl. deborahereth@yahoo.com
any custard! alone or in a pie!
Elli rose_herb09@hotmail.com
Vanilla, the world's most perfect flavor – thanks for the opportunity.
I have only ever used a vanilla bean once in my entire life, I'd be super excited to receive 40 of them!! I don't have a recipe or link for my favorite food using vanilla bean, but I love vanilla beans in vanilla ice cream – and I see quite a few other commenters do too!
seanik at gmail dot com
I absolutely LOVE vanilla beans… they really add that extra something to recipes. My favorite has to be the Vanilla Bean Buttercream icing from the mixingbowl.com. I made it with the dark chocolate chili cupcakes. The cupcakes were ok… the icing I had to ice the cupcakes with immediately or else none of them would have gotten any… haha
Vanilla bean ice-cream, of course!
I'd love to try any recipe calling for vanilla beans. I've never actually used one, and they don't sell them in my area. I'd love to use them to make a vanilla creme brulee. Yum!
I love vanilla so much that even in this crappy economy, I scrimp and save to buy really good vanilla extract. I love it in flan and plain vanilla ice cream but good, strong vanilla makes all baked good taste better.
Great giveaway. As for my favorite vanilla recipe, I'm torn between good old vanilla ice cream and vanilla cupcakes. Can't really go wrong either way!
My sister made these Orange-Vanilla bean cupcakes from Martha stewart. http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/orange-vanilla-bean-cupcakes . They were delicious. I saved the recipe to make them myself.
tweet http://twitter.com/drala625/status/2941657847
I've been wanting to try making my own homemade vanilla extract with vodka and bourbon but haven't gotten around to getting beans…
I have never cooked with real vanilla beans before but I love Hot Chocolate with vanilla… I imagine real vanilla beans would be amazing!
My favorite recipe is this one for coffee vanilla liqueur: http://jillbert.wordpress.com/2009/05/11/coffee-and-vanilla-liqueur-plus-vanilla-sugar/
I also really want to try making my own vanilla extract.
I've never used a real vanilla bean before because they are so expensive – I hope I can still enter
i love vanilla beans!!! I love adding it to coffee creamer and i really want to make my own extract! however the price is holding me back as i'll need at least 15 of them. I can't wait to use some and thanks for the 10% coupon!!!!!
elzlop8@msn.com
I tweeted about the giveaway!http://mybakingaddiction.blogspot.com/2009/07/vanilla-beans-and-vanilla-bean-giveaway.html
elzlop8@msn.com
I've never used vanilla beans but I think the first thing I would try making is vanilla bean ice cream.
I love vanilla the tast the aroma is heaven to me. I would want to make at least 3 things more but I will settle for three here homemade vanilla ice cream, pastry cream and I have been wantint to try making creme bruile these are the thimgs I want to make with fresh vanilla. Carolyn
This is an amazing giveaway! One of my favorite vanilla recipes is one from the blog, 101 Cookbooks. Here Vanilla Mashed Sweet Potatoes (with a little orange zest) are fabulous.
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/000589.html
I'm really wanting to try making vanilla extract using vanilla beans and vodka! http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/blog/making-homemade-vanilla-extract-aka-why-laura-bought-a-gallon-of-vodka
This is one of my fav recipes using vanilla bean. I love the addition of pumpkin…
http://recipes.epicurean.com/recipe/16101/pumpkin-creme-brulee.html
I love our sweetnilla cupcakes triple vanilla cake with vanilla bean buttercream. I use the left over bean to make vanilla sugar.
http://www.sweetnillas.com
I've been making Banana Ice cream the last few days and a touch of vanilla really makes the flavor extraordinary! Like eating banana bread ice cream – all it needs is some walnuts.
Call me a purest or simple. My favorite vanilla bean recipe would have to be vanilla ice cream! Sure it's nothing outlandish or fancy, but what a better way to showcase vanilla's aromatic and flavor powers!
http://www.facebook.com/polloloco
I just bought my first bean the other day and I plan on making vanilla ice cream – I can't wait to try it!
I love vanilla anything! I could so go for a deliciously cold vanilla ice cream cone right now!
I love to make creme brulee with Vanilla Beans…YUM
Well, since I've never actually cooked with a real vanilla bean, I don't have a favorite recipe.
I hope that I'm still eligible for an entry, though, because I would definitely like to start!
Mmm, real vanilla beans! Thank you, and Rob, for having this give-away. Unfortunately, I don't tweet, so I'm only entering once, hehe.
My favorite vanilla recipe is vanilla sugar. It takes a while, but it's worth it!
Take a small jar, and for every cup of sugar, add a vanilla bean (sounds like Tahitian works well here). Cover, let sit for 4-6 Weeks in a cool, dry place. Take out the beans, and enjoy your aromatic sugar.
Also tweeted this!
I have long desired an opportunity to work with true vanilla beans. I love "playing" in the kitchen and creating my own recipes, as well as using and tweaking existing ones. There is nothing like working with fresh ingredients to make wonderful food and fill the house with simply divine aromas! And the best part is, you have kosher products which are even harder to find… I'm so glad I found you!
I love vanilla, I bathe in vanilla, wear vanilla, burn vanilla candles and enjoy eating real good vanilla ice cream etc. The recipe sounds yummy. I will need to try it.
i've never actually used real vanilla beans- shock! – so i haven't made any recipes using them.. yet, i hope!!
What a delicious blog… I couldn't resist entering this contest, either. Here's hoping for some delicious vanilla beans! I'll return when I have a tasty recipe to share, too. =)
i love vanilla! it has that perfect level of sweetness and richness. i recommend putting some vanilla bean in your sugar. when you finish a bag just take them out and put them into a new one. it improves the yummieness of the sugar.
I seldom get to buy vanila beans, there are just no stores around my area that carry them. but my favorite thing to use them for other than baking is to make vanilla iced tea. it is extremely refreshing and quenches everyone's thirst, especially on hot summer days and nights
I'm so glad I found your site. I ordered some beans immediately! They are so expensive and poor quality in my area. I'm looking forward to making my own extract. I also like adding the inner part of the bean to my vanilla buttercream =)
topangacakes@gmail.com
Vanilla beans! I'm in! We've been making our own vanilla extract for years. It makes everything better. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
Hey Jamie,
Everyone raves about how good vanilla tastes in coffee, right? Well I drink tea not coffee and vanilla in hot tea is absolutely wonderful!! Either add your own homemade vanilla flavored sugar or add a bit of the vanilla bean into the tea leaves and let it steep with the tea. YUMMY!!!!
Sweet and Sassy Vanilla Coleslaw
This sensational slaw is a mix of vanilla, ginger, red pepper and black pepper which adds sweet-heat to the crisp, crunch you love about traditional coleslaw.
Makes 8 servings.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
ingredients
1 medium head Napa or Chinese cabbage, shredded (about 5 cups)
1 package (16 ounces) broccoli coleslaw
Dressing:
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon McCormick® Black Pepper, Coarse Ground
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Ginger, Ground
1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Red Pepper, Ground
1/4 teaspoon salt
directions
1. Mix cabbage and broccoli slaw in large bowl. Set aside.
2. Mix dressing ingredients until well blended. Pour over cabbage mixture; toss gently.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Toss before serving.
nutrional_information
Calories: 153
Fat: 9 g
Carbohydrates: 17 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 110 mg
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 1 g
per serving
http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Side-Dish/Sweet–Sassy-Vanilla-Slaw.aspx
Would love to enter the vanilla give away. Like to add vanilla bean to sugar. So good in coffee!
I LOVE using vanilla! I put it is nearly everything! My favorite is making Cookie Brittle with Mexican vanilla. It makes it just a little more special.
jmw underscore 76 at msn dot com.
I just love vanilla and have only used vanilla bean once. I would make vanilla sugar for one thing – add it to my morning coffee… And I love to bake, so I'd be adding vanilla to something every week. My yummy oldfashioned donut muffins. My cinnamon & sugar scones. Butter cookies…
I have never baked with an actual vanilla bean, and I can't wait to try it! I think tops on my list would be vanilla sugar, homemade vanilla ice cream and creme breule!
Megan
(meganh@cfu.net)
I love love love vanilla beans. I'll add it to anything calling for vanilla extract because those little black specks are heavenly. I cannot resist.
Vanilla always seems to intensify chocolate's yumminess…here's one with a bit of a bite
:
http://recipes.epicurean.com/recipe/17609/mexican-hot-chocolate-with-chili-pepper.html
Awesome! I love everything about vanilla beans. I totally believe in making use of the entire bean, using the pods to flavor my sugars, and creating my own vanilla extract using irish whiskey. Most recently I have poached apricots in a vanilla bean simple syrup, serving them on small scoops of homemade vanilla bean ice cream and chards of puffed pastry, topping it with another chard of puffed pastry and surround it with the poaching liquid pulling out the pod, but leaving all the tiny black specs. I would love to win and try the Indian Vanilla beans. Thanks James
Lets see:
**creme brulee but my mom-in-laws recipes
**Make my own vanilla extract! http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_vanilla_extract/
Vanilla Bean ice cream of course! http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/07/vanilla-bean-ice-cream/
I recently made a peach blueberry pie, and decided to try something a little different. I removed one of my Madagascar vanilla beans from their well sealed tube, carfeully split it open with a paring knife, and scraped the tiny, fragrant seeds into a mis en place bowl. My son bounded over, stuck his entire face into that tiny bowl and sighed. Laughing, I shooed him away, gently scooped the seeds into a food processor and added a cup of sugar. Within seconds, my entire kitchen smelled like vanilla. I put 1/2 a cup of vanilla sugar in the pie, and sprinkled 2 tablespoons of vanilla sugar on top of the heavy cream I brush over the top crust. As soon as the pie was out of the oven, I sprinkled a generous portion all over the brown top, making a glittering, cruncy, vanilla coating. The rest of the vanilla sugar went right into the sugar bowl, and is sprinkled into, and onto, almost everything now. That pie lasted less than 24 hours! I have been known to dab a little pure vanilla exctract behind my ears-I'm addicted!
I Love vanilla, I love to use it in my baking. I always put extra too.
Vanilla beans are the best. I love to use them when baking and making smoothies. YUMMY!
I love using fresh vanilla beans to make my own extract and there is nothing better than homemade vanilla ice cream! Thanks so much for the giveaway!!
I love Vanilla and Vanilla Beans, I use them in many of my recipes…
Rice Pudding, Creme Anglaise (of course!!!), Pancake Batter, French Toast, Martini…. Just to name a few…… Chocolate is amazing and wonderful…But…. Vanilla is classic and fabulous… Need I say more?? Angela
socalsocoolone@sbcglobal.net
I have always wanted to use vanilla beans but never had the chance to explore all its wonderful uses(I am a frugal grad student…). I've dreamt of one day making my own vanilla extract though
This giveaway is one of the best I've seen!
I just happened to have creme brulee for lunch and I made sure to scrape up all of the vanilla beans on the bottom of the bowl. Maybe it's me, but it never seems likes there is enough vanilla flavor!
Here's a yummy one from Emeril: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/vanilla-bean-creme-brulee-recipe/index.html
This is a cool non-dessert vanilla bean recipe:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/arugula-and-goat-cheese-salad-with-vanilla-bean-oil-recipe/index.html
I love vanilla beans!! I love to make my own vanilla extract with vanilla beans and 10 cane rum.
tessamriley@gmail.com
I love love love vanilla bean.
I love making creme brulee
So yum!
I tweeted about the contest
@_Jodi is my twitter name
hello My name is Ruben I am a graduated from le cordon blue ,I love to cook I have one of the best recipe for Bread pudding using vanilla beans,on and a later soft with banana caramel as a base.whith a fusion of whole vanilas beans.
it comes very sexy,wonderful taste the it melts and your mouth!!
Ruben D>
jrduenas8@gmail.com
2261 Market st #411
San Francisco Ca 94114
415-425-7460
thanks….
I actually bought some Tahitian, Madagascar & Mexican beans from Beanilla last holiday season. They are reasonably priced and wonderfully moist and have stayed moist (if kept in an airtight package). I have made extract, vodka, and superfine vanilla sugar which I now use every time I bake. The vanilla sugar is great in everything from coffee & tea to Tollhouse cookies, oatmeal butterscotch cookies and a delicious cranberry filled coffee cake. The best recipe for a vanilla bean that I can relay off the top of my head was given to me by a chef and it really doesn't require much. 1 lobster tail, about 1/2 stick of butter, 1/2 Tahitian vanilla bean. Now the chef poached the tail. I broiled it instead. Melt butter in a small pan or double boilet. Cut the bean lengthwise and scrape the beans into the butter. You can add the pod Crack the lobster shell, pull the meat through the top, broif you like or save it and the other half for your sugar or extract. Broil lobster in a rack pan with about a about 1/2 inch of water at the bottom to retain moisture, about 5-7 minutes (until tail turns pink and meat looks puffy and firm). Now drizzle that vanilla bean butter over that tail and enjoy it with a salad and a nice buttery lightly oaked Chardonnay. Mmmmm…surprising combo and very good. Now those Tonga, Indian and Indonesian beans sound very interesting!
I apologize for a sentence going screwy in above post. It should read:
"You can add the pod if you like or save it and the other half for your sugar or extract. Crack the lobster shell, pull the meat through the top. Broil…"
Sorry about that – not sure what happened.
Vanilla bean cheesecake for me! http://www.grouprecipes.com/61155/vanilla-bean-cheesecake.html
Really though – I love most things with vanilla beans!
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/sunquistadora/status/3061838912
Check it out…..
My post:
http://themerlinmenu.blogspot.com/2008/08/vanilla-beans.html
AFTER YOU SCRAPE THE BEAN, THEN WHAT? I put the left-over bean into a bag of sugar and let it infuse the sugar for topping or baking almost anything. Wonderful giveaway!
I love hearing about the different varieties of vanilla out there. Only within the last five years have I started using vanilla beans. My favorite is in a steamed milk we use to put on an old recipe of carrot pudding that's been handed down for almost 100 years. Obviously, my family didn't have vanilla beans in Idaho back in the early 1900's, but I took them and added the lovely seeds and pod to the cream & milk mixture as it steeps. It's SO good, and the family has really grown to look forward to it.
My email is: mjmbecky@gmail.com
I also tweeted your giveaway for the vanilla beans. AMAZING offer! Even if I don't win, I think I'll have to use that coupon!
mjmbecky@gmail.com
My fave vanilla recipe is VERY simple…. I love to infuse sugar with vanilla beans. I bean in a sugar jar with 5 pounds of sugar makes a lovely vanilla scented sugar!!
gypsiesthread@yahoo.com
I've never used a real vanilla bean!! I'd love to, though. I think I'd want to make some kind of simple vanilla custard, or possibly a vanilla/peach(or any kind of fruit..) flan cake.. (which is to me is a dense cake, topped with a flan, and canned peaches because I'm poor! HAHA)
Mmm it's so delicious! The cake absorbs all the juices from the flan, and it's not super sweet, but very gooood. I had never had it before, my aunt showed me it. I don't have the recipe here for it.. I think it would be much better with more vanilla in the flan itself.
thedeanna (at) gmail (dot) com
Vanilla is my life. I make my own cocoa for Christmas gifts and using vanilla beans as my secret ingredient is the best. I use so much vanilla my friends think I smell like it!
I am from the old school and have been experiencing new flavors, new and improved ingredients. At 51 I love to bake and everyone I know seems to enjoy what I pop out. I make homemade cheesecakes and I could not think of anything better than real vanilla beans instead of the old stand by in a bottle. I would like to make my own extract that you shared on face book. I would love to win, especially since the 4th is my 52nd birthday. That would be really nice!
I have never used vanilla bean. It sounds wonderful. I'm always looking for new things to try. What a wonderful giveaway.
I have never cooked with vanilla beans, since they are impossible to find in my area. I really want to try Alton Brown's recipe for vanilla ice cream: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/serious-vanilla-ice-cream-recipe/index.html. Thanks for the hints you are posting on Facebook!
I've never actually used vanilla beans either except recently I started my own vanilla extract. The waiting is killin me! I thought about making a vanilla sugar next.
Yum! My email address is candaceleighm@gmail.com
Vanilla is the best – I like to make my own extract, oils, and – of course – cookies, cakes, sweet rolls etc-etc-etc. What could be better than having a variety to sample! Heaven!
one of the greatest joys of being a pastry chef is being able to use the beautiful vanilla bean!
Hi Jamie, I'm a former teacher, several years back I fulfilled one of my dreams by attending a Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie & Baking program…I've worked in some lovely and busy places in FL, but now live in Virginia. I recently took a Chef position in a lovely rural restaurant in the mountains of SW Virginia. I'm introducing new dishes and new flavors. One of my most versatile additions is (homemade) vanilla sugar. I love the way it fragrantly infiltrates and enlivens!
It's a new establishment, trying to keep costs low while providing the very freshest and finest ingredients. I could put those vanilla beans to good use!
Judith buccinaja@gmail.com
Oven Cooked Plantain with Vanilla Pod and Rum. http://www.traditionalhome.com/travel_weekendgetaways/weekendgetaways/lasventanas_1.html
Although I don't get to make it often, I love this simple Vanilla Sugar Recipe!
Vanilla Sugar Recipe
List of Ingredients
1 Cup of Sugar
1-2 Vanilla Beans
Just place the beans in the sugar in a sealed container
for 2 weeks or more.
Use the sugar in your recipes that call for vanilla.
I love vanilla not only cooking desserts, but it also is the best ingredient in certain soups, glazes, and marinades !! Vanilla is a universal flavor/scent that is so wonderful for so many things !!! I loveeeeee vanilla !!
I just discovered your site and i'm excited about trying all the different Beans that you offer.
I haven't decided which recipe i'll start off with, but more then likely it will be some sort of Ice Cream.
I have seen some really good recipes that others have posted that I will try as well.
thanks
brian_holliday@mac.com
Vanilla is the best flavor EVER!!!
vickyheiner@yahoo.com
or
http://www.barnyardtales.blogspot.com
I have a body lotion that has vanilla absolute and chamomile in it: my very favorite in the whole world! I put vanilla in my white and brown sugar, and I want to try the vanilla/vodka recipe!
I love this vanilla bean cupcake recipe http://www.grouprecipes.com/728/vanilla-bean-cupcakes.html
I would love to have my own vanilla beans to make my own vanilla extract! I made cupcakes with Martha Stewart on her May 20th episode and will be back in the fall….taking her a bottle of homemade vanilla extract might even get me back a thrid time!!
I love it in panna cotta!
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/easy-vanilla-bean-panna-cotta
Carrie
http://www.bellacupcakecouture.com
carrie@bellacupcakecouture.com
I also tweeted about it here: http://twitter.com/BellaCupcakeC
What a wonderful giveaway! I am a vanilla fanatic. My problem seems to be the same as yours, you pay a good chunk for beans, only to get them home and they are not quality beans.
I love making vanilla bean sugar, extract and syrups as well as using them for other recipes.
Beanilla is very generous! Thanks Beanilla.
I also tweeted the giveaway here:
http://twitter.com/KittysKitchen/status/3072312978
I would love to try out the vanilla beans. I have never been able to find or use a real bean. BUT I have used great pure vanilla in my cooking and love that. Would give anything to have a free sample to try out. Thanks for this offer
i love vanilla not just for baking but also for cocktails these are some of the good ones
or just a shot of tequila infused with vanilla beans and a slice of orange on the side can be the perfect way to end your day
http://blog.mixoloseum.com/sweet-vanilla-cocktails/
don't have a favorite recipe using vanilla beans, but i am dying to make vanilla extract for use in cookies, cupcakes, etc.
i plan on following joy the baker's suggestions when i make my extract:
http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2009/06/how-to-make-vanilla-extract/
thanks!
hlatiolais at gmail dot com
When I have to choose between ice creams… vanilla bean or some other lesser variety… I always go with the Bean. In fact, i make my own vanilla bean ice cream (sorry I don't have it on the net) that is so rich, it is a mind-altering experience! It might be the macadamia nuts that go into it,,..but its nothing if not for those little black delicious bits of vanilla.
I love the smell of vanilla even more than the taste! I love making Italian Cream Cake for our special family occasions.
I will definitely add this blog to my RSS feed!
I had no idea clicking one link on Face Book could lead to so much yummy information.
What a terrific giveaway!
Forgot to leave my email address:
suejenkins44@gmail.com
I adore vanilla! Did you know that vanilla also has wonderful therapeutic benefits? The native Mexican cultures used vanilla to help with things like congested lungs, stomach ailments and even general aches and pains."For the Totonaca, vanilla was a sacred herb that they incorporated into all levels of their lives." As a medicine it had a number of uses. Dr. Francisco Hernandez documented some of the uses of vanilla in traditional Totonaca medicine. He wrote that the vanilla flowers were made into "collars" that served as amulets to prevent various illnesses. Vanilla beans were an antidote for certain venomous bites. Mixed with chocolate it allegedly cured flatulence."
I love vanilla for it's comforting qualities. Everyone loves the smell of vanilla (or at least everyone I'VE asked) mixed with a high-quality massage oil it is as comforting as a hug from mom. It's aroma has been compared to many of the comforting smells from childhood , including breast milk.
My favorite recipe utilizing vanilla is perfect for the summer heat, when you want something rich and delicious, but don't want to feel over-full… I found it @
http://www.at-home-with-mama.com/raw-cheesecake-recipe.html.. it is easy, in spite of multiple steps and if you do it with care and love, many will be surprised you did not add a bunch of fat to thier diet for the day, because the flavor of this is so unctuous and creamy it is truly delicious!!! I will not only utilize and share these vanilla bean treasures but have plans to make the most of their precious qualities in many formats, ostly edible but also sensory. Thank you, sincerely, Sadie
Love vanilla bean ice cream and vanilla bean cheesecake!
I used my first real vanilla bean just a couple weeks ago when I made homemade vanilla ice cream. What a difference! I loved the smell and taste, and I couldn't get enough of seeing those tiny black flecks throughout the ice cream. Perfect!
I even used the leftover bean pod to make some vanilla flavored simply syrup for my iced tea.
sabernethy@gmail.com
What's not to love about this fabulous giveaway! I mean 40 vanilla beans? Too good to be true! Thanks a bunch for this sweet giveaway!
I LOVE vanilla beans! This is my favorite icing recipe. http://kmarkners.blogspot.com/2008/09/vanilla-bean-buttercream-frosting.html
I don't know if it is too late, but I am leaving a comment just in case because I adore vanilla beans! Not only for desserts but my favorite chicken recipe is a vanilla balsamic chicken that uses whole beans.
Wow! Great giveaway!
To showcase the flavor of real vanilla, I'd go with my all-tine favorite … vanilla ice cream. With real vanilla beans, you can't go wrong!