The 
saffron contest was so much fun, I decided to do another contest, The Great Vanilla Bean Giveaway from Saffron.com. As I mentioned previously, this is a company that provides amazing quality vanilla and saffron at some of the best prices I have ever seen. I’m not getting paid to promote their product, I approched them with the idea of a contest for you, my dear friends!
How do you use vanilla beans?
Carefully halve the bean lengthwise - and lay flat on your cutting board. With the back of your knife, scrape the thousands of vanillin seeds and pulp out. Each bean should yield about 1/2 tsp of vanillin seeds, which corresponds to 2-3 tsp of vanilla extract.
To make vanilla extract, take 1 whole vanilla bean, cut in half lengthwise. Place in 3/4 cup of good vodka. Cover and store for 6 months.
How to buy vanilla beans?
According to Saffron.com, look for soft, plump vanilla beans with thin skin. Gently squeeze the vanilla bean with your fingers to feel how thick or thin the skin is. The bean should be black, full of aroma, and a little oily to the touch.
What do you do with the leftover pod?
- Add it to a canister of sugar to make vanilla-infused sugar
- Add to a pitcher of spiced or mulled wine
- Add to a bottle of rum
- Throw in pot with milk and simmer for 15 minutes
- Dry, cut into 1/4″ pieces and throw it in your coffee grinder
What’s your favorite way to use the leftover pods?
Vanilla bean “caviar”:
The Great Vanilla Bean Giveaway!
I’m going to randomly draw 8 lucky winners. Each winner will get 1/2 lb of vanilla beans. Take a look back at the first photo - that is what 1/2 lb looks like! Let’s do the math. The last contest had 137 entries. That’s a pretty good chance of winning!
What is your favorite dish using vanilla? The recipe can call for vanilla beans or vanilla extract. It can be from your site or someone else’s site. It can be a recipe you’ve tried or it can be one that just looks delicious. See, I’m making it really really simple.
- Write the name of the dish below in the form. Link to the dish.
- In the comments section, write a comment letting me know that you want to be entered in the contest.
That is all. But you have to do both steps to be eligible.
Contest ends Wednesday, November 7th at noon EST. I’ll then randomly pick 8 winners. The company, Saffron.com will ship directly to you. Good deal?
**BONUS: If you post about this contest on your blog, I’ll give you an extra 2 entries! DUDE, how cool is that???
Enter Name of Dish and link to the dish
STEP 1: Forget Mr. Linky’s directions, follow mine (hey give me a break. It’s a free plugin. I can’t customize it) Enter name any recipe that uses vanilla extract or vanilla beans. I don’t care who you are in this section. Just type name of dish (i.e. “Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes”) and the link to it. You can list more than one recipe. We’ll compile a great list of favorite recipes that uses vanilla!
STEP 2: In the COMMENTS section, enter your name and say something, anything. You can give us vanilla tips, fav way to use the leftover pods, or just talk about the damn weather. I will draw from these names.
Wednesday 1:30pm. Contest is closed! I’ll be drawing names later this afternoon tonight tomorrow, after 1 2 3 too many nice, tall glasses of homemade Sangria! Accepting bribes of all sorts until 3pm-ish whenevrwrewrwerrrrrrrr.
October 31st, 2007 at 4:37 pm
See, this is where I write a nice comment with my name. This is how I know that you’re entering the contest!
October 31st, 2007 at 5:09 pm
You didn’t add your email address Jaden. Can’t you follow your own rules?
//smart-ass! -jaden//
October 31st, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Hate or love him, I enjoy some of this Portuguese guys recipes.
Crab Claws in a Champagne Vanilla Sauce
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_9156,00.html
I actually prefer Alaskan king crab legs, and usually serve this sauce aside good ol’ clarified butter.
Love your site!!!! Witty, cute, and always entertaining - I imagine you are very much the same way
-Gregory
October 31st, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Soupe de Courge à la Vanille or Butternut Squash and Vanilla soup.
http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2005/12/butternut_squash_and_vanilla_soup.php
Simple, interesting and delicious. I hope you randomly pick my name as 1/2 # of free vanilla beans sound like a sweet slice of heaven to me (and to all my friends who would receive interesting vanilla gifts this holiday!)
October 31st, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Vanilla Vodka is another one of my favorites, but it goes so quickly from something yummy to drink to home made extract.
also, vanilla ice cream, oh yum…
October 31st, 2007 at 5:25 pm
I made vanilla poached pears the first time when my kids were little. They begged for more, they were so good! And vanilla… my gosh, doesn’t it taste good in chocolate dishes?! mmmmmm
October 31st, 2007 at 5:27 pm
There’s nothing better than plain old vanilla made with vanilla bean!! I love David Lebovitz’s recipe. And I really want to try making my own vanilla extract!!
October 31st, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Yogurt cake, simple yet satisfying!
http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2005/10/yogurt_cake.php
October 31st, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Looking forward to making this yummy recipe from Simply Recipes Blog! Yummmmo
October 31st, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I DESPERATELY want to make Molly at Orangette’s recipe for Chewy Cocoa Cookies with Chocolate Chips. because it sounds delicious delicious delicious.
despite the fact that i’m a total fool who can’t manage to take my name out of the name of the recipe bit.. will you take that out for me, please?
October 31st, 2007 at 5:43 pm
First - Thank you for the kind comment about the picture on my blog. That was very nice of you!
Second - I submitted the Banacoco bread pudding recipe and it is one of my favorite sweet dishes ever. I changed it a little from the version I got from a local Vietnamese Chef (it was his mother’s recipe), but that is what is so nice about this tropical dish, it is so versatile.
Third - I love vanilla. I am looking for my chicken mole recipe which includes vanilla. When I find that I will submit that one too!
October 31st, 2007 at 5:48 pm
this is a great breakfast cookie, but i have eaten as a lunch or a coffee snack…very filling
natalie aka blondee47
October 31st, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Your contests are so much fun
October 31st, 2007 at 6:00 pm
I would have to say, my favorite recipe using vanilla would be eggnog, especially as it gets closer to the holiday season. Alcoholic or not, it’s amazing.
And of couse I would love to be entered in the contest. Who doesn’t want to win vanilla beans?
October 31st, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Jaden - Please pick me! I didn’t win the saffron, but I have a few recipes I’d like to try with Vanilla Beans!!!
October 31st, 2007 at 6:10 pm
I can’t think of a better way to showcase vanilla beans than panna cotta. It’s slowly becoming a favorite over creme brulee. Creamy, rich, subtle, decadent… and there’s no chocolate (crazy!) which would usually make me dessert-hungry. There are version with yogurt, to make it more healthy, but why not splurge with cream?
October 31st, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Hi Jaden, My favorite way of enjoting vanilla is in creme brulee
October 31st, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Hiya Jaden! I love vanilla beans! This is such a cool contest. I’ve submitted the recipe for ‘Mary’s Butterballs’ or as Ming calls it “Carol’s Love Lumps”! If you google “Carol’s Love Lumps”, it’ll link to my blog too, it’s kinda crazy but in a cool kinda way :o)
October 31st, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Just in time for the holiday baking. I also posted about the contest! 2 extra entrys for me=)
October 31st, 2007 at 7:06 pm
aack, made a mistake using your linky thingy up top…sorry!
I use vanilla beans for rice pudding, here is the recipe that I use.
http://creampuffsinvenice.typepad.com/cream_puffs_in_venice/2006/11/comfort_me_with.html
October 31st, 2007 at 7:10 pm
http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/02/the-posh-life-with-speckles
I picked this recipe because it is so uncompromisingly authentic (or is it literal?), and I promise to make it if I win the beans.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Great site!
Those vanilla beans will be perfect for the pumpkin pie waffles!!
October 31st, 2007 at 7:14 pm
hiyeee, i love your site and vanilla beans. i’m crossing my fingers and toes for those beans.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Oh man, real vanilla beans make me swoon but I can rarely afford the indulgence. Thanks for holding such a fun contest- I can’t wait to hear the results!
October 31st, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Gotta love vanilla panna cotta. Easy and totally dEE-lish!
October 31st, 2007 at 7:56 pm
I made this Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta for my fiancee on the night I asked her to marry me. She fell in love with the dessert while she was overseas, and I thought it’d make a great finish to the multi-course meal I was making her.
I served it in a martini glass and topped it with a raspberry coulis and crushed meringue cookies. I proposed to her after we finished. Of course, there was no way she could say no…there was more panna cotta in the fridge!
Enter me in the contest, please!
October 31st, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Love using whole vanilla beans! The recipe I posted above uses 2 beans. One for the tea cake and one for the creme brulee filling. Please enter me in the drawing.
October 31st, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Vanilla Brined Pork, never tried it but for some reason it sounds right, i had to submit it.
I have to try it someday.
October 31st, 2007 at 9:43 pm
The French Vanilla Bean Custard Ice Cream is my favorite homemade ice cream recipe. It is completely decadent and tastes as good as it is bad for you. There is nothing healthy or light about this recipe, but will give you that special treat you know you deserve.
October 31st, 2007 at 10:15 pm
I love vanilla - its is my favorite nad my best.
I use it all the time, and a extra lb or half lb of it would be heaven
October 31st, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Upside down caramel banana cake with Mexican vanilla to boot!
October 31st, 2007 at 11:06 pm
I really like to use the pods after scraping out all of the beany goodness inside of them. Here are a few things to do with them:
1. Make vanilla sugar by storing the pods in your sugar pot.
2. Make a vanilla infused stock with the left over pods and maybe some apple cores and peelings. Use this stock instead of water for something like a pie dough.
3. Let them soak in a bottle of good vodka.
October 31st, 2007 at 11:15 pm
I posted the vanilla poached pears from Chow.com - so easy, currently in season, and vanilla-full. Please enter me into the contest!
October 31st, 2007 at 11:27 pm
I posted Brendon’s Strawberries in Wine & Vanilla Rice Pudding. Please enter me in the contest, thanks!
October 31st, 2007 at 11:32 pm
I guess I was supposed to note that I linked to a vanilla custard with Raspberry mesh -which I use for french toast, my family loves it.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:15 am
Hi Jaden, I entered the contest, but I used my name instead of the recipe name. I entered the cookie recipe I created for my husband. He loves them!
November 1st, 2007 at 12:18 am
A big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream makes me a happy camper!
November 1st, 2007 at 12:20 am
Vanilla is my favorite variety of ice cream, and this recipe from Sweden looks delicious (along with quite a few others from Anne’s blog!). I’ll have to whip up a batch soon:
http://annesfood.blogspot.com/2006/02/shf-16-recipe-for-love-vanilla-ice.html
I also enjoy “real” eggnog and vanilla vodka (in moderation, of course).
skh.pcola
November 1st, 2007 at 12:57 am
I love vanilla! The Neapolitan Bread is a recipe I’ve been interested in trying for a while, but I haven’t yet had a chance on a day when my landlady’s away. It might have to wait until I get home (for Christmas or next summer).
November 1st, 2007 at 1:08 am
I am leaving for India this weekend. I am going for 5 weeks. Could you post bunch of recipes or some beautiful pictures, so I don’t get withdrawal symptoms while I am out there
November 1st, 2007 at 1:35 am
I hope I win!!!
November 1st, 2007 at 7:00 am
I don’t like a lot of vanilla extracts except for some of the old standbys, and would like to try making my own. The recipe at http://www.kitchenproject.com/vanilla/4FoldVanillaExtract.htm looks extremely interesting … put split whole beans into some vodka (which may also have rum or brandy in it), let it sit for 8 weeks, and it’s done! So simple even I could do it. So, here’s hopin’ I end up with enough vanilla beans to do this! I’d better hide the vodka, just in case …
November 1st, 2007 at 7:09 am
Dear Friend,
For many years I’ve made ricotta cake rolls, simply a cannoli-filled sponge cake, using vanilla. This spectacular dessert would be unbelievably enhanced by the use of pure vanilla. Retirement has placed a challenge on affording vanilla beans, so I currently add vanilla flavoring.
You are wished a rainbow-filled future !
Mrs. Marshall
November 1st, 2007 at 7:45 am
Pumpkin Creme Brulee
http://recipes.epicurean.com/recipe/16101/pumpkin-creme-brulee.html
November 1st, 2007 at 9:00 am
I want to be entered!!!
Vanilla is a perfect flavor. Straight up fresh homemade vanilla ice cream! Divine! The recipe I linked in: Chocolat Kahlua WHoopie Pies with Vanilla Marscapone Filling…I’ve been told they make you want to go to confession!
http://sseichinger.blogspot.com/2007/05/makin-whoopie.html
I’ll add this to my site today and hopefully send some folks over!
November 1st, 2007 at 9:23 am
Please enter me for the contest, I pink fluffy heart vanilla beans and I am obsessed with having a fully stocked pantry. The baked custard recipe is great because you don’t have to mess about with all that stirring on the stovetop and worries that it’ll split.
Also I am totally mentioning this in my blog, just because it’s a great contest. And if I don’t win I imagine that saffron.com will be hearing from me anyway…
November 1st, 2007 at 9:44 am
and then anyway I did go and mention this contest in my blog, it’s linked in the website URL of this post. Because, man, half a pound of vanilla beans would be some kind of wonderful.
jaden wrote: this is your Cara’s bonus entry #1
November 1st, 2007 at 9:51 am
Im so retarded.. I accidentally put my name as the name of the recipe.. uhggg! Sorry about that.. the recipe is actually for a wonderful Meyer Lemon and Vanilla Bean Marmalade, not Alexander! It’s as gorgeous as it is simple and tasty.
Blond moments come far to often for me these days.. atleast I’m blond!
November 1st, 2007 at 10:07 am
I love the flavor of a nice light vanilla sauce with a flaky white fish almost as much as I love vanilla vodka. Thanks for the great entertainment. I heart your blog.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:47 am
I’ve got a guest this weekend or I would totally be whipping up something creative for this contest as I did for the saffron. I may still, but just in case, I’ll submit homemade vanilla extract from The Traveler’s Lunchbox, which is what I’ll definitely be making if I win!
And of course I’ll post about it on my blog.
Thanks for the contest; nothing like starting the day with a little surge of giddy anticipation.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:56 am
Count me in! I’m currently making my own vanilla extract and vanilla sugar and I can always find a use for another bean…. or half a pound of them.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:59 am
Lemon Panna Cotta with Blackberry Sauce
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/107943
I made this with my sister for Father’s Day and it was goood! This uses fresh vanilla bean which makes a huge difference than using vanilla extract. I don’t like desserts, but this stuff comes out beautiful and delicious. Perfect for summer (even though it’s fall right now)!
November 1st, 2007 at 11:06 am
Hey Jaden,
Did you pass through Yichang (near the Three Gorges) on your trip through the “Motherland”? If so (and had I known earlier) I would have invited you and your family to sample some of the local Tang Bao (汤包, soup baozi). My wife and I often frequent the local tang bao hole-in-the-wall (in a back alley) restaurant. Well, hopin for some vanilla beans on the other side of the pond! (I figure a company that sells saffron and vanilla beans could spare a few bucks in shipping. :)) Ta ta!
November 1st, 2007 at 11:31 am
I would love to be entered. MY entry was for the strawberry/apricot crumble that was Oh-too-good! I couldn’t stop making them this summer!!
http://www.sassyradish.com/archives/2007/07/crumbling_towar_1.html
November 1st, 2007 at 11:37 am
Jaden wrote: “Hey Cara - this is your bonus entry #2. Thanks for blogging about it!”
November 1st, 2007 at 11:41 am
Jaden wrote:
This is Scott’s bonus entry #1 to contest - thanks for blogging about it!
November 1st, 2007 at 11:43 am
Jaden wrote:
This is Scott’s bonus entry #2 to contest - thanks for blogging about it!
November 1st, 2007 at 11:45 am
Jaden wrote:
Megan this is your bonus entry #1 to the drawing!
THanks for blogging about it!
November 1st, 2007 at 11:46 am
Jaden wrote:
Megan this is your bonus entry #2 to the drawing!
THanks for blogging about it!
November 1st, 2007 at 11:47 am
If I don’t win I may break down and order some vanilla beans, because there is not a single bean for sale in this city that isn’t a shriveled up and dried out like a petrified worm. Thanks for the contest, Jaden!
November 1st, 2007 at 11:53 am
i picked my grandma’s christmas cookie recipe because it’s the best “plain” cookie you’ll ever eat!
November 1st, 2007 at 11:55 am
Love me the Alton Brown Creme Brulee. And blogged.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:56 am
Jaden wrote:
This is Marius’ bonus entry #1
November 1st, 2007 at 11:56 am
Jaden wrote:
this is Marius’ bonus entry #2
November 1st, 2007 at 11:59 am
who would have known it is hidden in one most well loved asian bites!
http://thamjiak.blogspot.com/2005/12/exploring-my-origins-egg-tarts.html
November 1st, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Added the vanilla vodka recipe. Perfect for those sweet dessert martinis!
November 1st, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Holy cow that’s alot of vanilla! I want it!
November 1st, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Blogged!
Thrilla-vanilla
Jaden wrote:
this is Kitt’s bonus entry #1
November 1st, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Oh, how silly - I totally used the wrong name in the linky thing above. My bad! It should read Dead Man’s Bread from my Day of the Dead menu!!
Fun contest Jaden
November 1st, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Jaden wrote:
This is Kitt’s bonus entry #2
November 1st, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Found another one
http://www.theperfectpantry.com/2007/09/star-anise.html
yum yum yum.
Oh and I blogged it on my teeny little newbie food blog. Still thinking about those beans.
http://finalfood.ca/?p=11
November 1st, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Mmmm, vanilla. I adore vanilla. I just posted a link for Cream Anglaise Ice Cream!
November 1st, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Jaden wrote:
This is Danielle’s (final food) bonus entry #1
http://finalfood.ca/?p=11
November 1st, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Jaden wrote:
This is Danielle’s (final food) bonus entry #2
http://finalfood.ca/?p=11
November 1st, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Please ignore #63, #64 was what I wanted to post. It’s a nice alternative to the choc martini craze from a couple years ago. Very yummy and holiday festive.
November 1st, 2007 at 2:45 pm
yum.
November 1st, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Rasberry Vanilla Iced Tea rocks! Don’t tell Lipton…It’s Mine… ALL MINE!
November 1st, 2007 at 3:29 pm
here is my blog post
http://blairnecessities.blogspot.com/2007/11/who-here-loves-vanilla.html
November 1st, 2007 at 4:08 pm
OK, so I read it over … and wondered whether to put the recipe name, or my name (as the form said). I picked the wrong one, now, didn’t I? Carrot Butter is the recipe using vanilla-bean-guts. After you’ve used the guts? Well, I opt for installing the leftover pod in a bottle of vodka kept for the purpose - it makes great extract, after a while!
November 1st, 2007 at 4:31 pm
What an awesome contest! Thanks for hosting it. I’m glad I came across it!
November 1st, 2007 at 5:02 pm
This is a great contest. I linked you on my front page and the contest at at http://red-icculus.com/?p=17 . I love your blog!
November 1st, 2007 at 6:19 pm
I’m not entering because I just won the saffron (whee!) but the very best thing to do with vanilla is to make very very simple vanilla fudge, maybe with a few crushed toasted walnuts in it.
Total heaven.
November 1st, 2007 at 6:24 pm
does it have to be a dish that you can eat? i don’t want to think so…because vanilla bean soaps sound and smell fantastic to me! i like to smell pretty and nice, don’t you Jade? ;P
here’s the link to make the soap: http://www.soapnaturally.org/soap_recipes/rogmc_vanillabean_soap.html
November 1st, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Evelyn Howard - Homemade Vanilla Extract
November 1st, 2007 at 6:58 pm
http://www.tartelette.blogspot.com/
Bostini Cream Pie! Simply divine! Count me in the contest.
November 1st, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Please enter me in your contest.
I love cooking with vanilla beans, but find the cost at the local grocery stores (McCormick) outrageous. I’m glad to find out about saffron.com.
Thank you,
DeVon
November 1st, 2007 at 7:03 pm
great site,
when I think of vanilla bean, i think of creme brulee. here’s a healthy version of it by Chef Cary Neff (I know healty and creme brulee doesn’t go together but what the heck!)
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_2001_May/ai_73621970
Jaden, you pics with you and your kids baking the bread inspired me. this past weekend, I baked cookies with my two yr old girl and we are going to bake the bread next time.
November 1st, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Please enter me in your vanilla bean contest.
I love cooking with real vanilla beans.
Thank you,
DeVon
November 1st, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Oops. By the way. Throw me in for the bonus with Mamaw’s white cake. Guess I forgot to mention that. Ta ta!
November 1st, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Oops. Guess I forgot to mention that I linked back here with Mamaw’s White Cake. Please put me down for those bonus beans. Ta ta!
November 1st, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Jaden wrote:
This is Red-icculus’ bonus entry #2
http://red-icculus.com/
November 1st, 2007 at 9:09 pm
yum yum yum entry #72 Flan
Flan is my mom’s standard stand by dessert for pot lucks and parties. When I was little I would stand eagerly by to scrape out any left over sweetened condensed milk from the can and then would scrape up the hardened caramel buttons that had dripped on to the stove. OK you caught me I still do all that.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Jaden wrote:
This is Blair’s bonus entry #1
http://blairnecessities.blogspot.com/2007/11/who-here-loves-vanilla.html
November 1st, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Jaden wrote:
This is Blair’s bonus entry #2
http://blairnecessities.blogspot.com/2007/11/who-here-loves-vanilla.html
November 1st, 2007 at 9:50 pm
wow, i can’t believe someone beat me to it.. i was going to put cannele! yum
November 1st, 2007 at 10:15 pm
I would like to be entered. I haven’t made this dish, but I really want to. ^^;; (this isn’t my website, but the dish that looks awesome!)
http://chezpim.typepad.com/blogs/2007/10/pumpkin-and-coc.html
November 2nd, 2007 at 12:10 am
Jarden, I sure wish I can be a good cook as you!
November 2nd, 2007 at 12:44 am
I’m such a dumdum. I put my name instead of the dish name. Whoops! Brain fart.
Anyhoo, my fav use for vanilla beans is creme brulee. Yum!
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:34 am
I don’t have a recipe yet for my Grannie’s vanilla ice cream, It’s low fat and so delicious. mmmm. . .I’ll try to find it and post it. So yummy.
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:56 am
You’re funny.
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:09 am
Yay !!! another contest .
Bostini Cream Pie
This is “Daring Bakers October 2007 Challenge” and I so wanna to try it .
http://whatsforlunchhoney.blogspot.com/2007/10/bostini-cream-pie.html
November 2nd, 2007 at 5:24 am
Man, I made the same mistake and put my name in instead of the name of the recipe! aaargh!!!! SORRY, Jaden!
Here is the link for the Chocolate Pecan Pie again:
http://maninas.wordpress.com/2007/05/27/jo-gilks-chocolate-pecan-pie-2/
I love this sumptuous pie, and I adore vanilla! It has the most amazing aroma that makes me feel good whatever! I would LOVE to receive some vanilla beans! And even if I don’t thank youo for organising this!
November 2nd, 2007 at 5:26 am
Chocolate Brazil Soft-Baked Biscuits are the first biscuits that I made by myself!
Needless to say, I love the aroma of vanilla in them, that goes perfectly with nuts and chocolate!
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:34 am
Please enter me in the contest too. I chose homemade vanilla extract as my recipe, because with that, I can make a ton of other vanilla dishes, like ice ream, creme brulee and panna cotta. If I win, I’ll invite you over for some! (How’s that for shameless pandering?)
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:50 am
You know, I tried growing a vanilla orchid once, but it never flowered, let alone produced a single vanilla pod
But I like ice cream where you can actually see vanilla seed flecks!
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:32 am
I love me some vanilla bean!
November 2nd, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Jaden,
My “Chantilly Crepes” entry (#86) actually links to the video I made on YouTube of the process. The recipe is on the “About This Video” side panel if you click “More info”. I blogged about crepes on my site at
http://chezannies.blogspot.com/2007/09/crepes.html
and I will blog about the contest in a post later today.
Aloha,
Nate
PS I have tried the Aidell’s Vanilla Brined Pork recipe and thought it was…interesting. I think I prefer more traditional ways to season pork.
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Cynthia.
I love you for taking such good care of us.
November 2nd, 2007 at 2:25 pm
I know you already mentioned vanilla-infused sugar above, but thought it was worth mentioning again. My Austrian grandmother, an expert cook, always used to put a vanilla bean in her canister of sugar (whether it was regular or confectioner’s), as a way of making the sugar, and the resulting recipes … mmm, struedel … extra special.
I found a link for this here:
http://www.baking911.com/howto/sugar_flavored.htm.
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:13 pm
I chose a cookie recipe I would like to try from Bluekitchen.wordpress.com
He always has something yummy cooking up with his wife. Plus I love the side blogs he does.
If I win this many vanilla beans I will make creme brulee for the whole village! I will be hugely popular.
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:19 pm
I submitted the Chocolate Marble Cake recipe from Paul Bocuse’s latest cookbook. It has a delicious vanilla suace.
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I’ve been sort of dreaming about using vanilla with meat, so I was happy to have this excuse to search for recipes. One I found is Vanilla Brine for Pork. Yum!
I will blog about this contest once I’m home, nothing like extra entries!
And, if I win… presents for the holidays will abound!
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:53 pm
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_19834,00.html
uh. duh. I meant to put my recipe up top. whoops. it has bean (get it!) a long day!
Nothing like some sweet smelling, amazingly flavorful vanilla beans can’t cure!!!!
November 2nd, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Amy Sedaris’ vanilla cupcakes are super-duper yummy. You can’t go wrong with the simple classics!
November 2nd, 2007 at 5:49 pm
I love me some vanilla and I love me some cupcakes so I thought Vanilla Bean Black Cherry cupcakes would be a good fusion born out of love.
November 2nd, 2007 at 6:03 pm
We had a bounty crop of Monterey pears from the tree my son planted. I made this recipe with vanilla saturate brown butter, it’s a simple crisp recipe, but man, is it wonderful.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/240250
November 2nd, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Vanilla goes best in creamy things like flan!
November 2nd, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Please enter me in the The Great Vanilla Bean Giveaway. thanks!
Strawberry Cream Cake:
http://cherrapeno.blogspot.com/2007/08/strawberry-cream-cake.html
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Love this Vanilla Bean Cheesecake recipe…simple, elegant and utterly delicious..hope you will get a chance to try it.
http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/vanilla-bean-cheesecake-with-walnut-crust
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Jaden ,
Thank you for the great compliment.
Have you made the brownies yet with your sons?
I hope they turned out nicely =)
Please enter me in the vanilla bean contest.
thankyou xx
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Hope I posted this right…it’s for chocolate chip bread pudding with cinnamon rum sauce. Going to make it at my work T-giving lunch. Thanks for the fun contest, Jaden!
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Hmm, I may love vanilla even more than saffron, lol.
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:38 pm
I (heart) vanilla beans… Please enter me in the contest.
November 3rd, 2007 at 6:34 am
wah lovely, I can do with some!
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:08 am
jaden wrote:
This is Blaquepen’s bonus entry #2
http://blaquepen.com/wobl/vanillia-isnt-actually-white/
November 3rd, 2007 at 9:41 am
Jaden,
When I saw that first picture, my heart almost stopped! It’s been so long since I’ve had the extra $$ to get real vanilla beans. My link up top is to ice cream I made this summer and LOVED, but how much more orgasmic would it be if made with fresh vanilla!! A real panty-dropper, that’s for sure.
November 3rd, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Try using infused vodka in your cocktails. This recipe shows you how to infuse vodka, the infused vanilla vodka is heavenly! Enjoy!!!
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:10 pm
My favorite things to do with vanilla beans is to stick one in a jar of sugar. It imparts that rich vanilla flavor and can be used for all your sweet baking as well as a nice surprise for your coffee drinking friends who look at you with surprise and ask what you did to make your coffee so good.
November 4th, 2007 at 12:08 am
Hi Jaden,
I want to enter your vanilla bean contest. I do hope I can win because it’s so difficult to get great and fresh vanilla beans from where I’m staying. http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/001983french_vanilla_ice_cream.php
November 4th, 2007 at 12:16 am
I mentioned this on my blog, and was sent here by a friend.
Vanilla is one of the most perfect flavors. There is no end to the depths it can go to, and the flavors it can bring out in other foods.
The only advice I have to to not go cheap on it. It’s so vital, it should be the best you can get.
Thaks for the contest!
November 4th, 2007 at 12:28 am
Hi! I added a cocktail. Mmmm - yummy! I also posted about this contest at my site. Thanks for having another contest!
November 4th, 2007 at 12:28 am
Enter me, please! One of these days, I’ll make the recipe that I submitted up above: Pear-Almond Tart With an Earl Grey Sauce…
November 4th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Gina Maria’s bonus entry #1
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=24703707&blogID=325261881
November 4th, 2007 at 7:04 am
Gina Maria’s bonus entry #2
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=24703707&blogID=325261881
November 4th, 2007 at 7:10 am
I Got 2 Shoes’ bonus entry #1
http://igot2shoes.blogspot.com/2007/11/vanilla-bean-contest.html
November 4th, 2007 at 7:16 am
one of my favorite applications was this 18 year macallan infused butterscotch pot de creme we made where i used to work. it is the BEST “adult” dessert i have ever had.
i hope i win! cuz i am needing some new vanilla sugar!
November 4th, 2007 at 7:45 am
I would love to make David Lebovitz’s vanilla bean ice cream. And it’s such a good idea, someone else posted the same thing!
November 4th, 2007 at 8:08 am
Blairnecessities bonus entry #1
http://blairnecessities.blogspot.com/2007/11/who-here-loves-vanilla.html
November 4th, 2007 at 8:09 am
Blairnecessities bonus entry #2
http://blairnecessities.blogspot.com/2007/11/who-here-loves-vanilla.html
November 4th, 2007 at 8:51 am
I want to try to make my own vanilla bean extract.
http://www.afterworkhours.com/somethingtochewon/2007/01/16/hello-world/
November 4th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Barbara’s bonus entry #1
http://yougonnaeatallthat.blogspot.com/
November 4th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Barbara’s bonus entry #2
http://yougonnaeatallthat.blogspot.com/
November 4th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I am entering the vanilla bean contest! I am going to try the cheesecake cupcakes and put some fall flavor in them with pumpkin and spices. Really I want to make mini pumpkin pie cheesecake cupcakes with mini Nilla cookies as the crust.
Thanks for doing this! I enjoy reading your blog.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Please enter me! I hope you enjoy the pinwheel peach cobbler recipe. Yum!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Hot chocolate is always good, especially since it is starting to get chilly. Great site, keep up the good work.
Hot Chocolate recipe.
http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/recipes/detail.asp?id=5265&page=1&per=10&product_ID=19
November 4th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
I included you in my blog!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
I included you in my blog!
http://www.xanga.com/phat4
November 4th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Hi Jayden,
Along with all the others please enter me into the vanilla bean contest. The attached recipe is THE VERY BEST scone recipe - I suppose because of using THE VERY BEST ingredients you can find to begin with, including vanilla beans. Kudos to Marcy Goldman of Betterbaking.com for this wonderful scone recipe she has shared.
Thanks & keep up the good work! We all love it at the office.
Denise
November 4th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Christina’s bonus entry #2
http://www.xanga.com/phat4
November 4th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Here is another vanilla recipe from me. It’s my mum’s gorgeous fruit cake! yum! brings a lot of happy memories…
Also, my mum _always_ uses vanilla in her baking!
November 4th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
I love adding vanilla to rice, especially if I’m doing a spicy dish on the side - adds a nice cool/warm (that makes no sense) feel
November 4th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
I really love custard and of course I had to go with the recipe that had a french name. “Œufs au Lait”, come on. How can you not love it?
November 4th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Avocado ice cream is one of those things that makes people either go EUGH or OOOH. Fortunately, I’m in the latter category.
Another flavor of ice cream I’m about to create when I get the chance- Badam Kheer.
Mmmm, vanilla beans…
November 4th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Oh, and I blogged it, too.
November 4th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
DOH! i screwed up! I left my name in the space for Vanilla Icecream, squak,.. @#$%%
Can you fix please?
Thanks my entry
Archana
November 4th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_28962,00.html
panettone french bread
mmm…delicious.
November 4th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
The world is your acorn’s bonus entry #2
http://www.theworldisyouracorn.com/blog/2007/11/04/jadens-vanilla-bean-giveaway/
November 4th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Poor Heather’s bonus entry #2
http://poorheather.livejournal.com/264093.html
November 4th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
melinda’s bonus entry #1
http://www.pickworth.me.uk/blog/
November 4th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
I love using vanilla extract when I bake. I recently tried vanilla beans for the first time and it was lovely in the custard cream filling that I made for some cream puffs. Crossing my fingers that I’ll be one of the winners. Thank you for running this contest!
November 4th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
I would love to be entered in the contest. I wrote about the Vanilla Bean Giveaway in my post…
http://foodcite.blogspot.com/2007/11/thricethwarted-by-tapioca.html
Even if I don’t win (but I really want to), I have to buy my vanilla beans through saffron.com because I spent $6 on two sorry beans. The nerve!
BTW, I am looking forward to more pics from your recent trip!
November 4th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Hey! This is the first time I’ve posted a comment, but I love your site! I put up a link for vanilla scented scallops from Cooking Debauchery, they’re sooo good! It was the first “gourmet” dish I made, and the one that made me want to go to culinary school.
As for my favorite thing to use vanilla beans in, it’s a tie between homemade vanilla extract (vanilla pods in rum), creme brulee, and lavender infused pastry cream (add lavender simple syrup to pastry cream after it sets; goes really really well with lemon or vanilla bean cake!)
November 4th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Foodcite’s bonus entry #1
http://foodcite.blogspot.com/2007/11/thricethwarted-by-tapioca.html
November 4th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Foodcite’s bonus entry #2
http://foodcite.blogspot.com/2007/11/thricethwarted-by-tapioca.html
November 5th, 2007 at 12:32 am
I absolutely love this recipe and think it would be that much better if I used vanilla bean instead of extract!
November 5th, 2007 at 2:21 am
Oh, I love recipe time around here! I submitted the tangerine granita with vanilla bean cream and posted about it on my site.
November 5th, 2007 at 8:05 am
Dustin’s bonus entry #1
http://www.dcoates.com/
November 5th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Dustin’s bonus entry #2
http://www.dcoates.com/
November 5th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Thank you for having this contest! I hope the vanilla bean gods are smiling upon me.
November 5th, 2007 at 11:38 am
I hope I get luckier with this giveaway than I was with the saffron!
November 5th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Vanilla Poached Apricots with Honey Madeleines. Mmm… I love a good Madeleine. And you can’t get much better than apricots steeped in vanilla and honey.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
I haven’t worked much with vanilla beans, just extract. I’d be really excited to have some good beans to play with.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
I linked the blueberry cake, it’s super easy to make and really good. That looks like a good place for beans, they are usually so expensive that I’ve only used extract before.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Bean me.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Holy crap- these are some great recipes! I linked to a simple standard (tapioca), can’t wait to make some of these others though. Thanks!
November 5th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
I hope you will still enter me in the contest despite the fact that I totally screwed up my first attempt at linking my recipe and put my own name on the list (# 136). I just found your blog and I was so in need of something really good to read to get through a Monday afternoon. I am already looking forward to more stories/pictures from China!
November 5th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
I always bump up the vanilla in my Dandilion Honey because I love the little bean specks on my muffins!
Count me in for the beans, I’d love to not have to be conservative in my recipes anymore!
November 5th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Vanilla salt is much better than vanilla sugar in my opinion. The recipe isn’t hard but a lot of people wouldn’t think to mix the two.
Please enter me in the contest.
-W
November 5th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Vanilla is highly versatile and used so much in our food that we always take it for granted.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Liz’s bonus entry #1
http://checkwithmysocialsecretary.blogspot.com/
November 5th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Liz’s bonus entry #2
http://checkwithmysocialsecretary.blogspot.com/
November 5th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
French toast on Sunday mornings is a ritual at our house. Typically we do equal parts eggs to whole milk, a little salt, a teaspoon of cinnamon and a tablespoon of vanilla extract, and the littlest one needs to lick the vanilla spoon afterwards. I found this Crème brûlée French toast recipe that looks a little obscene. The recipe is about halfway down the page. It calls for a whole vanilla bean. I wonder where I can get some of those…
November 5th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
I’m usually a lurker but I got tempted by the vanilla beans. =) To tell the truth, I normally DO NOT like using vanilla in baking… unless it’s for chocolate related stuff. Outside of chocolatey stuff, I find it makes things taste somewhat heavy and cloying. But inside chocolatey stuff, mmmm! Chocolate enhancer! Would be a good chance to see what real, good vanilla can do to something. Hopefully. =)
I usually modify the following chocolate cake recipe by reducing the sugar to 1.5 cups instead of 2, and increasing the pinch of salt to 1/4 teaspoon. The quality of the coffee can make a huge difference. (Vanilla macadamia nut coffee, anyone?) I haven’t looked for another chocolate cake recipe since.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Grandpops-Special-Chocolate-Cake/Detail.aspx
November 5th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Jaden,
First - this does not make enough for 4! It is enough for one so don’t invite anyone to share. I actually also use the vanilla scraped out in the blender with the other stuff. And, sometimes, the irish whiskey spills and is 2 cups. We like it over ice in the evening, in my coffee before work, at lunch with something, and don’t forget afternoon snack. This will go nicely as a follow-up to your bloody mary. I also use a dash of coconut extract. Yum - guess I shall stop at the liquor store on the way home and get some more irish whiskey and make something good before bed!
Have a great day!
Virginia