Tahitian Vanilla Oil Recipes

TAHITIAN VANILLA OIL

Steps:

• With the tip of a sharp knife, make a slit down the length of each vanilla bean.
• Spread them open and use the knife to scrape the moist seeds into a small bowl, reserve the pods.
• Pour the oil into a small saucepan and warm it gently over low heat for a few minutes, do not let the oil get too hot-it should be quite warm, but not so hot that you can't dip your finger into the pot.
• Add the vanilla seeds and reserved pods, remove from the heat, and allow it to cool to room temperature.
• Loosely cover the pot with aluminum foil-do not seal tightly-and let the oil steep for about 8 hours, until it is lightly infused with the flavor of vanilla.
• Remove the pods and discard.
• Briskly whisk the oil and seeds together to emulsify and break up any clumps of seeds.
• Decant into a jar, seal and refrigerate until needed.
• To use the vanilla oil, first shake the jar vigorously to distribute the seeds. Then measure the amount you need.

TAHITIAN VANILLA ICE MILK

Steps:

• Split and scrape vanilla bean: On cutting board, slit the bean lengthwise. Scrape down the length of the bean to scoop out all the seeds. Place the seeds in a little mound on the cutting board. Add a teaspoon of granulated sugar; work the sugar and seeds together with the tip of your middle finger, until sugar and seeds are totally mixed and seeds don't stick together anymore.
• Place vanilla bean and seeds, sugar, and milk in a saucepan. Stir occasionally until the mixture just starts to come to a boil. Cover; remove from heat and let stand 30 minutes.
• Remove vanilla bean and scrape it between your thumb and forefinger to get every bit of seed and pulp out of it. Discard pod.
• Cool overnight. Add to ice cream freezer and freeze according to manufacturer's directions.

VANILLA OIL

Steps:

• Put the oil in a small saucepan. Split the bean and scrape in the seeds. Cut the pod into one-inch lengths and add.
• Simmer the oil over very low heat for five minutes. Remove from heat and allow to macerate at least six hours before using.
• Store the oil in a covered jar, with the pods still in it. The flavor will continue to intensify for a day or so and then remain constant almost indefinitely. Use to grease baking pans, to add flavor to salad dressings (especially for fruit) and as a sauteing medium for vegetables such as carrots, summer squash and new onions.

TAHITIAN BREAKFAST TREATS

Steps:

• Add yeast to warm water and stir to dissolve; allow to sit until yeast has bubbled, 5-7 minutes. Add yeast mixture to warm coconut milk. In a large bowl, combine coconut, sugar, salt, yeast mixture and 1 cup flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough (dough will be sticky). Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours., Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 8 portions. Roll each into a 12-in. rope. Curl ends in opposite directions to form a figure 8. Tuck each end under where it meets center of roll and pinch lightly to seal. Place 2 in. apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a kitchen towel; let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 375°. Bake until light brown, 10-12 minutes. Meanwhile, place sugar, cinnamon and ginger in a shallow bowl. Split vanilla bean lengthwise. Using the tip of a sharp knife, scrape seeds from the center; stir into sugar mixture. Brush warm pastries with melted butter; roll in sugar mixture to coat.