Vanilla beans are the answer for me.
The flavour of vanilla beans compared to extract is far superior! Vanilla beans are the best to use in substituting vanilla extract which is gluten. 1 tsp of vanilla extract can be substituted with 1 tsp from the vanilla bean in any recipe. Just make sure you buy from a company that sells organic beans and displays their organic certificate prominently on their listing -- if you buy non-organic vanilla beans they are full of chemicals. Some are actually illegal to purchase in certain countries because of the chemicals. If you keep the beans very well wrapped in plastic and moist they will last for quite some time.
What do you think? Please feel free to post your opinion and share your experiences. I would love to hear them!
Posts
Wow, it seems so obvious now that you say it - just use vanilla beans!
ReplyDeleteSo how exactly do you prepare them. How do you go from the actual bean pod to a teaspoon?
Thank you for your question cryptoblue. ;)
ReplyDeleteSlice the vanilla bean open length wise and scoop out (the inside) 1 tsp of vanilla to equal 1 tsp of vanilla extract in any recipe. Add the vanilla to the ingredients as is.
Don't forget to store vanilla beans in plastic bag or wrap in the fridge to keep them from going bad. I made the mistake of storing them on the spice rack! Oops!
Regards,
Northern Girl