Vanilla Bean Paste

© shoutingforha

One of the best things about my hubby is that he understands my deep love for a practical gift.  I think he is secretly happy to have married a girl not prone to frivolity...  or maybe that's why he married me in the first place...  At any rate, the man never ceases to amaze me with his wonderful and yet useful gifts.

Today, dear readers, I would like to share with you a perfect example.  Envision me, Mrs. Ha, on Christmas morning, present in hand waiting to be opened.  After removing the festive paper I find this...  A great big bottle of Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste.  

I think I might have squealed with excitement.  Don't judge me.  

I have always been a fan of Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract because, really, is there anything better?  When I found out they made Vanilla Bean Paste too, I knew I wanted to get my hands on a bottle.

See all the tiny seeds?
© shoutingforha

What, you might ask, does the Vanilla Bean Paste taste like?  Simply, it is a slightly sweeter version of regular vanilla extract.  In addition to the bold vanilla flavor, the most noticeable difference are the flecks of vanilla bean seeds.

In my opinion, the term "paste" is somewhat misleading.  While the paste is slightly thicker than a typical extract, the mixture is something that I would still consider to be a liquid.  That said, the paste can be used as a substitute for vanilla extract in any recipe.

Since Christmas, I have used the Vanilla Bean Paste to make cookies, pancakes, french toast, muffins and smoothies.  The flavor was incredible.  Even the fellows noticed the rich vanilla flavor that the paste seems to impart to any recipe.  I can't wait to whip up a few batches of homemade ice cream once the weather warms up a bit.

For those of you who are still using the sad little bottles of Imitation Vanilla Extract, I tell you to STOP NOW!  Go order a bottle of the good stuff.  Seriously.  

You won't be disappointed.   

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*** The opinions expressed are my own.  The fine folks at Nielsen-Massey have no clue I exist. My hubby purchased the Vanilla Bean Paste with his own hard-earned cash and I have not been compensated in any way for my review.