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Vanilla is an integral spice in baking, it perfumes the most gourmet of desserts, from vanilla pudding cake to magic cupcakes, with panache.
Vanilla is also a very pricey ingredient, and while it lasts well for up to a year, you might be wondering what else you can do with this island spice, to add to some "je ne sais quoi" to other kitchen staples.
Here are 5 tips on how to use vanilla beans at home, from infusing in rum to making vanilla oil.
1. A Fragrant Rum
If you have trouble swallowing your rum neat, split 3 vanilla pods in half lengthwise. Let them dry for three days until they harden and then slip them into your rum bottle. A year later, your rum will be well-scented and ready to be taste!
2. Homemade Vanilla Extract
To make your own vanilla extract, split 14 pods lengthwise, drop them into a bottle of alcohol (Vodka, rum, whiskey etc) and leave to macerate for at least a month. Discover all you need to know about how to make vanilla extract here.
3. Homemade Vanilla Sugar
It's really easy to make homemade vanilla sugar. Simply pour some white sugar in high glass jar and slip in it 2 split vanilla pods. Your vanilla sugar will be ready about a month later.
4. Vanilla Oil
Using a similar technique, slip 4 split vanilla pods into a bottle of olive oil or grapeseed oil. After a month, you will have a very fragrant oil, ideal for seasoning your summer salads or adding to your fish marinades.
5. Vanilla Milk
The more impatient can simply crack open their vanilla pod and slide it into a bottle of milk for ten minutes to obtain an original drink in which to dip their cookies! The trick is also popular for tea.
