| According to Scott Cunningham is his Encyclopedia of | | | | · One Tbsp. fresh lemon juice |
| Magical Herbs, vanilla is a feminine plant, ruled by the | | | | · Half a vanilla bean, split (retain seeds) |
| planet Venus and capable of restoring lost energy, | | | | · One tsp. finely grated ginger |
| improving the mind and inducing lust. A vanilla bean | | | | · Two-inch cinnamon stick, broken |
| placed in a bowl of sugar will infuse it with loving | | | | · Six whole black peppercorns |
| vibrations. The sugar can then be used to sweeten | | | | · Two whole cloves |
| love infusions. | | | | · Two cups of vanilla ice cream or vanilla |
| Vanilla is the only member of the orchid family used | | | | frozen yogurt |
| as a food. The vanilla "bean" is actually the dried pod | | | | · Fresh lemon herbs for garnish (optional). |
| of the unripe fruit. It is native to Mexico and Central | | | | In a non-reactive saucepan combine all the ingredients |
| America, but today most production comes from | | | | except the pears and the ice cream or yogurt. Bring |
| Madagascar. The Aztec Indians of Central America | | | | to the boil ensuring that the honey is dissolved. Add |
| enjoyed a drink called "Xoco-Latl" made from cocoa | | | | the pears and reduce to simmer, uncovered, for |
| and vanilla beans. The Spanish explorer, Cortez, | | | | about 15 minutes until the pears are soft. Remove |
| discovered this and brought the vanilla bean back to | | | | the pears with a slotted spoon. |
| Europe. The word vanilla comes from the Spanish | | | | Continue to heat and stir the sauce until it has |
| vainilla, meaning, "little pod". | | | | reduced and thickened slightly. Remove from the |
| The spice is available as a dried bean, which most | | | | heat and strain. Serve the ice cream or yogurt in |
| professional chefs prefer, and as a liquid extract. | | | | bowls with the pears with the sauce poured on top. |
| Imitation vanilla extract, a mixture of artificial color | | | | Garnish with some fresh lemon herbs such as lemon |
| and synthetic flavors, lacks the beautiful bouquet and | | | | balm, lemon verbena or lemon thyme. This recipe will |
| full piquancy of the real vanilla. | | | | serve four. |
| Although there are no direct medicinal applications for | | | | An unusual application for vanilla is the following |
| vanilla, it is used in aromatherapy where it is reputed | | | | creamy salad dressing. Make ahead of time and |
| to relax, soften anger, irritability and frustration. | | | | refrigerate as the flavor improves with standing. It |
| Vanilla essential oil blends well with sandalwood, | | | | will keep about four to five days in the refrigerator. |
| bergamot, rose, balsams and other spice oils. | | | | Creamy Vanilla Herbal Salad Dressing |
| Vanilla is most frequently used to flavor sweet foods | | | | · Two cloves of garlic |
| such as ice cream, eggnog, cakes, cookies, custards | | | | · One tsp. Dijon mustard |
| and desserts. Following is a rough guide for | | | | · One Tbsp. fresh tarragon |
| suggested amounts in various dishes: | | | | · One Tbsp. fresh basil |
| One to two teaspoons of pure extract in a two-layer | | | | · One Tbsp. fresh marjoram |
| cake recipe; one quarter to one half teaspoon in one | | | | · One tsp. honey (optional) |
| cup of whipped cream; one to one-and-a-half | | | | · Half tsp. vanilla extract |
| teaspoons in two cups of custard sauce; one to | | | | · One Tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice |
| one-and-a-half teaspoons in a cookie recipe for about | | | | · Half tsp. sea salt |
| 24 cookies; two teaspoons for about four cups of | | | | · Quarter tsp. of cayenne |
| ice cream. | | | | · One cup of soy milk (buttermilk may be |
| Try the following for an amazing dessert: | | | | substituted) |
| Port Poached Pears with Vanilla | | | | · One cup of mayonnaise |
| · One cup of port | | | | Use a blender or food processor to blend all the |
| · Two firm, but ripe pears, cored, peeled and | | | | ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning - salt, herbs, |
| quartered | | | | lemon juice, cayenne etc. - for personal taste. Allow |
| · One-third cup of honey | | | | the dressing to sit for at least one hour in the |
| · One Tbsp. lemon zest | | | | refrigerator before serving. |