Vanilla Bean

Vanilla beans are used to add flavor to both sweet and savory dishes by scraping the seeds or infusing liquids with the pod. Common uses include baking cookies, cakes, and pastries, making custards and ice cream, and creating vanilla sugar or salt. The pods can also be used to infuse syrups, coffee, milk, and cream, or even added to savory glazes for dishes like pork.  

Uses in the kitchen

Desserts:

The seeds are frequently scraped into custards, panna cotta, crèmes brûlées, and ice cream for a rich flavor. 

Baking:

They are a popular addition to cookies, cakes, brownies, and other baked goods. 

Beverages:

Vanilla beans can be used to make vanilla-infused coffee, milk, or cream, or added to homemade sodas and syrups. 

Savory dishes:

The flavor complements a wide range of savory ingredients. Use the pods to infuse glazes for pork, or add vanilla salt to roasted vegetables and seafood. 

Other applications

Vanilla sugar/salt:

After scraping, bury the pods in a jar of sugar or salt to create a flavored version for sweet or savory use. 

Vanilla powder:

Dry the pods and grind them into a powder to use in recipes, or grind the whole bean into a fine powder for a potent flavor boost. 

Infusions:

Use the pods to infuse liquids for longer periods, such as maple syrup, coffee, or milk, or for shorter periods in high-heat items like caramel sauce.