Make Mine Vanilla

Vanilla is almost ubiquitous as a flavor, yet it is rather exotic. It's extracted from an orchid in Madagascar or Mexico or the French Reunion Island and nowadays, it's darned expensive, as any enthusiastic baker will tell you. Vanillin is made from wood chips and is chemically the major component of vanilla. While purists scream at its use, it is actually fine for use in baked goods where the subtle taste of real vanilla bean might be lost. Either way, vanilla is a sophisticated flavoring that can be used even in savory foods. However, this book, as you'd expect, features desserts. There are fancy European pastries, puddings, cakes, ice creams, and a section on drinks and fillings for cakes and pies. The recipes I like best are a bread pudding, white chocolate cheesecake (always well-received at parties) and tapioca pudding (great for soothing someone after a rotten day.) Nice book if you like to bake or make confections and if you want something other that the deeps-of-dark chocolate.

I love this book! It's about time someone really noticed the magic of vanilla, the #1 flavor of a truly adventurous personality. Make Mine Vanilla is packed with many excellent recipes for my favorite indulgences. Chocolate lovers, bah humbug to your bitter beans!