Vanilla - Description
The concept of vanilla is quite mysterious for our fellow citizens - we all know its breathtaking sweet-spicy taste, but a real pod is a rarity. In fact, this is a perennial plant in the form of a creeper of the Orchid family. It came to us from Mexico or the countries of Central America. Even in the time of the Aztecs, long before the discovery of the New World, people enjoyed its delicate aroma. In 1502, Christopher Columbus appreciated her, he brought her to Europe. Today, half of the global turnover of this spice is produced on the islands of Madagascar and Reunion.
Harvesting fruits without bringing to full maturity. First they are dipped in hot water. Such pods have absolutely no taste familiar to us. This is only later, after 2-3 months of drying in the shade in the open air, they acquire a dark brown smell and form white crystals of vanillin. A subtle characteristic taste and aroma develops. There are 8 main varieties of vanilla, they are distinguished by the length of the pod. The most sophisticated is long vanilla. This is the most expensive spice in the markets of the whole world. Natural pods are able to maintain their aroma for decades.
The healing and beneficial properties of vanilla
In medicine, not only vanilla itself is used, but also vanilla essential oil, which is obtained from pods. It is part of galenic preparations, used in aromatization of drugs and for aromatherapy. Oil is widely used in massage parlors. The natural substance is the strongest aphrodisiac, and men and women use it to increase libido and potency. In addition, it normalizes the digestive system, is useful for stressful depression. By the way, it reduces intoxication when exposed to alcohol.
It can also be used for sleep disorders, anemia, diabetes mellitus and other diseases.
There are practically no contraindications to use, except for hypersensitivity and individual intolerance. It is necessary to limit its consumption only to very young children and pregnant women.
Vanilla - use in cooking
Cooking widely uses vanilla, primarily for the preparation of desserts and sweet dishes. These are puddings, cheesecakes and pastries, creams, mousses and various pastries. Both vanilla and adults love vanilla ice cream. Basically - this is spice. It is especially widely used in the chocolate industry. Among liquid products, vanilla syrup can be distinguished. Admittedly, getting real vanilla in pods is quite difficult, most often synthetic analogs are sold in stores. Real vanilla is used in the most expensive and gourmet dishes.
Examples of recipes with vanilla
Recipe 1: Vanilla Sponge Cake
With a delicate and delicate spice, you can make a fragrant biscuit, we only need a teaspoon of vanilla and other ingredients for this, as for a regular cake. It is better to prepare a mixer for mixing products so that you do not have to work long with spoons or whisks.
Ingredients: flour (2 cups), vanilla (1 teaspoon), sugar (1, 5 cups), baking powder (3 teaspoons), salt, cold water (3/4 cup), eggs (7 pieces), vegetable oil ( 1/2 cup, citric acid.
Cooking method
Sift the flour and place it in a large bowl. Add salt, sugar, baking powder. Pour vegetable oil into the center of the slide (very tasty with peanut or corn), and add the yolks and vanilla. Mix with a mixer until a homogeneous consistency. Beat the whites separately (cool!) With citric acid or juice of half a lemon. Gently mix everything with a spatula.
Prepare the mold in advance, grease it with oil. We spread the dough and put in the oven for about half an hour at a temperature of about 180 degrees. The finished biscuit is easy to check - click on it with your finger - if it takes its original form - done! The taste is just amazing.
Recipe 2: Bavarian Vanilla Cream
If you managed to get a real vanilla pod - cheers! You can prepare a dessert worthy of the most famous culinary salons.
Ingredients: light gelatin (2 plates), vanilla (1 pod), eggs (must be fresh),
2 plates of light gelatin, sugar (70 grams), cherry and vodka (1 spoon), cream (300 grams),
Mashed potatoes: raspberry (300 grams), sugar (2 tablespoons), raspberry tincture (2 tablespoons).
Cooking method
Soak gelatin in water (about 5 minutes), the plates should become soft and slippery. Cut vanilla in length, take out the grain. In a bowl, mix the yolk and sugar, grind well, add vanilla, whisk with a whisk. Dense mass should have light foam. Melt the gelatin in a pan and add cherry vodka, a few tablespoons of cream to the solution and pour everything into the yolks. Whisk continuously with a whisk. Add the remaining cream, continue whipping. We spread the fluffy mass according to the molds.
Berry puree: wash raspberries and drain excess water. Leave some of the most beautiful berries for decoration and wipe the mass through a sieve. Mix the mashed potatoes with sugar and pour the raspberry tincture. We set it to freeze in the cold. If the forms are not serving - dip them for a minute in water so that you can separate the cream from the walls and turn on the saucer. We decorate with selected berries and pour mashed potatoes. This German dessert entered the world cuisine, served in the best restaurants in the world. Sometimes hot chocolate or candied berries are served.
Recipe 3: Vanilla Ice Cream Sauce
Well, if we have vanilla in the pod, then we will use the original recipe. But with no less success, you can cook this sauce with vanilla. Or vanilla sugar.
Ingredients: Vanilla (pod), cream (300 grams), egg yolks (3 pcs).
Heat cream and sugar in a thick-walled pan. Notch the vanilla bean along the entire length and scrape off the seeds with a knife. Mix with cream and send the bare pod there. Bring the mass to a boil and mix until the yolk is uniform. Remove the cream from the heat and pour about a third of the yolks into a yolk. Then add the remaining ones and put on the fire again. The sauce should be boiled, stirring constantly, to the state of liquid condensed milk. Leave to solidify in the refrigerator. It will become even thicker. The most delicate taste is complemented by a beautiful view of black grains. With the "vanilla" version, add it at the very end.
Vanilla - useful tips from experienced chefs
How to properly extract seeds from a vanilla pod?
To do this, it is better to take soft pods and pre-soak dried ones in water or in the liquid in which the dish is prepared (milk, yogurt, cream). Prepare a thin sharp knife, (it is possible for peeling vegetables). The pod itself is oily to the touch, brown. We cut it from the thin side, in the place where the "wings" are in contact. Hold the skin on one side with your fingers and scrape seeds. The pod can be used to make vanilla sugar. Just put it in a glass with sugar for about a week or two - the entire contents will get a vanilla flavor.
