Vanilla Extract

It’s that time of year once again; the pumpkins are popping up in every grocer and on neighbors' porches. Giant ones, orange ones, white ones, warty ones, multi-colored ones and, of course, the very versatile pie pumpkin ones. The pie pumpkin can be cleaned, roasted and pureed, then made into delicious pumpkin desserts. Alas, I don’t have the time to roast my own beautiful pumpkin puree, so I use the next best thing -- canned.

Continue reading →

This post was posted in Cookies & Baked Goods, Recipes, Vanilla Extract and was tagged with Cheesecake, Pumpkin

When I was little my grandmother always had a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies sitting on her kitchen counter. They weren’t the large cookies you see now days in bakeries. They were relatively small, perfectly round, two bite cookies. The cookies always had a soft interior, and were slightly crisp on the edges.

My grandmother would sit us down at the kitchen table, pour us a cold glass of milk (put into commemorative Snoopy glasses from a popular fast food chain), and hand us a plate of her delicious cookies. When my grandparents sold their home I remember thinking, “All I really want to have is the Snoopy glasses and my grandmother's chocolate chip cookie recipe.” Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get either one, but it started my search for the chocolate chip recipe of my childhood.

Continue reading →

This post was posted in Cookies & Baked Goods, Recipes, Vanilla Extract and was tagged with Cookies, Chocolate, Vanilla Extract

Sunday is family day in our family -- a time to relax and enjoy one another's company. While living in San Diego, Sundays meant we ventured out to explore places or attractions we had not enjoyed before; a new farmers market, Legoland, Disneyland, various dog parks and beaches. Living in So. California was one big adventure, however I love being back in the Midwest! The pace is slower, the people friendlier, I actually know my neighbor (and have spoken to them) and the cider is real!! I know you are probably thinking, "Has she lost it? The cider is real?!"

Continue reading →

This post was posted in Desserts, Recipes, Vanilla Extract and was tagged with Apples, Caramel

Candied nuts are a wonderful sweet treat any time of the year! I enjoy eating them straight off the baking sheet but they are equally delicious on baked goods or even fresh mixed green salads. A simple salad of mixed greens, blue cheese and French vinaigrette begs for the sweet crunchy candied pecan. In baking candied pecans can be added to fudge, used as a topping for scones or folded into homemade ice cream. The uses for the candied pecan is unlimited!

Continue reading →

This post was posted in Recipes, Vanilla Extract and was tagged with Nuts

As a chef, I am often reminded that what I think is easy and uncomplicated, is not necessarily. Chocolate ganache is often thought of as fussy and complicated, and I want to tell you it as simple as 1...2...3. Chocolate ganache originated in France. Ganache is a French term referring to a smooth and velvety mixture of chocolate and cream. Its origin is a little unclear, but it is believed to have been invented around 1850. Some say it originated in Switzerland where it was used as a base for truffles. Others say it was invented in Paris at the Patisserie Siravdin.

Ganache is a simple mixture of hot cream and good quality chocolate. As much as we all love Hershey's, this is not the place for it. I recommend Callebaut, Valhrona or any other high quality dark chocolate. Look for chocolate that contains cocoa butter as the primary ingredient. The higher the quality of chocolate used, the better the flavor and texture your ganache will have in the end.

Continue reading →

This post was posted in Baking Extracts & Flavorings, Desserts, Recipes, Vanilla Extract and was tagged with Chocolate

In my opinion, breakfast is the best meal of the day. You get to eat a combination of sweet and savory together at one meal and it is completely accepted by the general public! Bacon, sausage, eggs and pancakes compete for your attention -- each equally delicious in different ways. I always save my pancakes for last. Melted butter and sweet syrup -- my mouth salivates just thinking about it!

In our family, pancakes tend to be a Saturday morning treat, but this recipe is easily made the night before or made quickly on even the busiest of mornings. The addition of Beanilla Madagascar vanilla extract adds a sweet, vanilla note to a fluffy and light pancake that you will crave on any day of the week.

Continue reading →

This post was posted in Breakfast and Brunch, Vanilla Extract and was tagged with Breakfast

Homemade Graham Crackers (S'mores Part 2)

As promised, here is part two of the homemade marshmallows recipe that was posted on Tuesday. Homemade marshmallows are delicious and definitely a treat to have around the house. But, what would a s'more be without the graham cracker?

When I was much, much younger, I had a best friend whose mom would give us graham crackers sandwiched with leftover homemade frosting. I still love it to this day!

Continue reading →

This post was posted in Desserts, Recipes, Snacks, Vanilla Extract and was tagged with smores

Hello! Welcome to the Beanilla Trading Blog. My name is Chef Sarah and I will be your photographer, author and chef. It is with great pleasure that I get to introduce you to myself and the Beanilla product line.

Continue reading →

This post was posted in Baking Extracts & Flavorings, Recipes, Vanilla Extract and was tagged with Mexican Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract