vanilla

[jinx]

Nielsen-Massey makes my favorite vanilla products, using only beans from Madagascar. Available at Williams-Sonoma and Whole Foods.

Only the best vanilla from the island of Madagascar is intense enough for Nielsen-Massey, whose extract has long been the choice of bakers and ice cream makers. (This vanilla is known as “bourbon vanilla.” The term dates from the time when Madagascar and several other vanilla-growing islands were under French rule and were called the Bourbon Islands.) Made from selected vanilla pods in an exclusive cold-process method, the extract has a rich, intense flavor. The vanilla beans are whole 7” pods, each equivalent to approximately 1 tablespoon of extract. Convenient to use, the pure vanilla paste contains flecks of vanilla bean seeds. Use this superior-quality vanilla to enhance baked goods as well as custards, cheesecake and ice cream. Vanilla extract is 8 oz. Vanilla beans include 2 pods. Vanilla paste is 4 oz.