354844 Wed Dec 27 22:31:01 -0800 2006 8 31 Home Cooking 0 2132349 Okay, succumbed to the urge to buy/try something new and bought some vanilla paste, but haven't used it yet. Anybody used it and loved it/hated it, can't figure out why anybody would bother? Recommendations, observations? Wed Dec 27 22:31:01 -0800 2006 60923 MobyRichard 1 2132408 I LOVE vanilla bean paste! I use it in my applesauce, pancakes, butter, anything that calls for vanilla extract! It is so much easier and affordable than a vanilla bean, and super versatile. Have fun! Wed Dec 27 22:47:30 -0800 2006 2132349 20828 foodrocks 1 2132506 I find it better for cooking than for baking-- in sauces, glazes, and savory concoctions. It doesn't have the power of infusing with the bean, and (as you know by now) it's quite sweet, but it is a huge savings for extract-like flavor with attractive beany flecks. I use it almost daily with plain whole-milk yogurt and berries for breakfast-- gives just a hint of sweetness and vanilla-y goodness. Wed Dec 27 23:19:17 -0800 2006 2132349 53220 hotandsour 1 2284128 A great place I found to answer any questions about vanilla in general was on the website of my favorite - Nielsen Massey. I emailed them several different times, and got great suggestions, usually from a Nielsen. Gayle Gand (famous pastry chef) told me the BEST is Nielsen Massey - she also has a new cookbook out "Chocolate and Vanilla". Mon Feb 12 08:09:44 -0800 2007 2132349 73825 bettyb 1 2914452 I am new to Vanilla Paste too. I am very particular about my vanilla then baking so I am thrill with this and am anxious to try it. I am sure it would be wonderful in bread and rice puddings too. Ice cream is very tempting!!! Will let you know what I try. Wed Sep 05 18:14:06 -0700 2007 2132349 125028 ArleneMurphy 1 2941880 I picked some up from Trader Joes and LOVE IT!! I love the fact that it has vanilla beans in it and it is inexpensive? Fri Sep 14 11:36:09 -0700 2007 2132349 12400 WildSwede 1 2941963 Is it ground seeds from inside the beans or does it also have the ground pods? I think a lot of ice cream makers tout the ground vanilla in their ice creams when it is really ground pods not seeds that you see. Fri Sep 14 11:53:51 -0700 2007 2132349 123744 karykat 2 2941985 In the one I have it is seeds (at least I am fairly certain of that). I would assume that ground pods would not be perfectly round, right? What I see is perfectly round. Fri Sep 14 11:58:52 -0700 2007 2941963 12400 WildSwede 3 2942277 Yes, I would think that the round things are seeds not ground pod. Fri Sep 14 13:13:20 -0700 2007 2941985 123744 karykat