Vanilla is a flavor that is only too familiar to man. Known for its delectable taste and aroma, vanilla has captured the hearts of every gourmet since its remarkable discovery in the 1500s. Despite its being the second most expensive spice in the world (Saffron takes the top spot), people just cannot take their hands (and noses) off this luscious flavor.
Vanilla can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: whole vanilla beans, vanilla extract, powder, sugar, cookie vanilla, and there is even a kind called vanilla oleoresin! But let us focus our attention on the very scrumptious and very sweet vanilla sugar.
The sweet vanilla sugar could simply be described as vanilla-flavor-saturated sugar. This has become a must-have in the kitchen not only because it is very tasty but also because it is quite easy to make.
Vanilla extract is a much younger form of vanilla compared to vanilla sugar. But vanilla sugar is the one form that is much sought after in European countries. Before the secret of creating vanilla sugar was out, vanilla sugar was very difficult to acquire outside of Europe. But now even children as young as those of school age can make one.
One of the ways of creating vanilla sugar is by burying just a few of the beans at the bottom of a jar full of sugar. Most people choose the Indonesian or Madagascar vanilla beans for this use.
Variations on how vanilla sugar is prepared includes using a recycled bean instead of a fresh one, opening the bean up before placing it inside the jar, using just the seeds or grinding up the bean, and adding the powder to the sugar.
You can then seal the jar and keep the cover tight when this setup if achieved. Let it stand for one to two weeks, letting the flavor of vanilla permeate. Every couple of days, shake or stir the jar to make sure that the flavor seeps in the grains of sugar. Refill the sugar jar or place a new vanilla bean if the aroma of the bean is becoming weaker.
Vanilla sugar is extremely versatile. It can be used in just about any recipe that calls for granulated sugar - cakes, cookies, pies, custards, meringue, you name it! Vanilla sugar can be added to coffee or tea; topped in oatmeal, fresh fruit, or hot chocolate; or sprinkled on ice cream and other pastries.
Certainly you might conclude that this is only for sweets lovers but the sweetness of vanilla sugar can also be incorporated on beverages and even on acidic dishes. A good example of using it on drinks is by lining vanilla sugar on the rim of daiquiri just like lining salt on margaritas. Interesting, isn't it?
There are still countless ways to use vanilla and vanilla sugar. This indispensable ingredient is certainly a joy to include in your baking endeavors.
Vanilla can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: whole vanilla beans, vanilla extract, powder, sugar, cookie vanilla, and there is even a kind called vanilla oleoresin! But let us focus our attention on the very scrumptious and very sweet vanilla sugar.
The sweet vanilla sugar could simply be described as vanilla-flavor-saturated sugar. This has become a must-have in the kitchen not only because it is very tasty but also because it is quite easy to make.
Vanilla extract is a much younger form of vanilla compared to vanilla sugar. But vanilla sugar is the one form that is much sought after in European countries. Before the secret of creating vanilla sugar was out, vanilla sugar was very difficult to acquire outside of Europe. But now even children as young as those of school age can make one.
One of the ways of creating vanilla sugar is by burying just a few of the beans at the bottom of a jar full of sugar. Most people choose the Indonesian or Madagascar vanilla beans for this use.
Variations on how vanilla sugar is prepared includes using a recycled bean instead of a fresh one, opening the bean up before placing it inside the jar, using just the seeds or grinding up the bean, and adding the powder to the sugar.
You can then seal the jar and keep the cover tight when this setup if achieved. Let it stand for one to two weeks, letting the flavor of vanilla permeate. Every couple of days, shake or stir the jar to make sure that the flavor seeps in the grains of sugar. Refill the sugar jar or place a new vanilla bean if the aroma of the bean is becoming weaker.
Vanilla sugar is extremely versatile. It can be used in just about any recipe that calls for granulated sugar - cakes, cookies, pies, custards, meringue, you name it! Vanilla sugar can be added to coffee or tea; topped in oatmeal, fresh fruit, or hot chocolate; or sprinkled on ice cream and other pastries.
Certainly you might conclude that this is only for sweets lovers but the sweetness of vanilla sugar can also be incorporated on beverages and even on acidic dishes. A good example of using it on drinks is by lining vanilla sugar on the rim of daiquiri just like lining salt on margaritas. Interesting, isn't it?
There are still countless ways to use vanilla and vanilla sugar. This indispensable ingredient is certainly a joy to include in your baking endeavors.
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Try using some vanilla sugar with your coffee. It can impart a wonderful vanilla taste.
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