140 vanilla bean recipes

An ideal fruit salad or dessert for Winter, because the tropical fruits are available year-round and ripen naturally. The riper and more fragrant the fruit, the better the salad.

Italian polenta cake with ground almonds, cornmeal, orange and lemon zest, and vanilla bean. Naturally gluten-free with a tender, grainy crumb and citrus perfume.

Whole wheat muffins made with pureed anasazi beans, molasses, and carob. No butter, no oil, all blender. Moist, earthy, and packed with fiber and protein.

Mango-coconut pie layers a graham cracker and toasted coconut crust with a vanilla bean coconut custard, diced fresh mango, and whipped cream. A bright mango coulis poured over each slice doubles down on the fruit.

Classic English trifle with raspberry-jam-soaked sponge cake, brandy, sherry, silky vanilla custard, and whipped cream. A showstopping layered dessert served in a glass bowl for maximum visual drama.

Shellfish soup with shrimp and sea scallops in a white wine and shrimp shell stock infused with vanilla bean and cilantro. Spring vegetables simmered just one minute to stay crisp.

You gotta love the spices in this unique certain to amaze dish of healthy red meat.

A Swiss showstopper: fresh plums caramelized in red wine, kirsch, and honey with pine nuts and pistachios, topped with homemade cinnamon ice cream. Serve warm or cold.

Pinto bean fudge blends strained beans with chocolate chips, marshmallows, and nuts for a surprisingly creamy candy. No one will guess the secret ingredient.

Strawberry fool with crushed berries folded into whipped cream and sour cream, drizzled with a spiced port wine syrup. The classic English dessert updated for summer dinner parties.

Jelly bean confetti cake with cream cheese, butter, and miniature jelly beans baked in a fluted Bundt pan. A colorful, fun celebration cake dusted with powdered sugar.

Pinto bean, pecan, and coconut pie: mashed pinto beans bake into a silky custard that tastes like pecan pie, with toasted pecans and sweet coconut throughout. A thrifty Southern classic.

Elegant red wine fruit soup with poached pears, candied orange slices, pineapple, and a crème fraîche finish. A stunning French-inspired dessert layered with star anise, vanilla, and cardamom.

Lindy's cheesecake, the legendary New York deli-style recipe with a vanilla bean cookie crust, 2.5 pounds of cream cheese, citrus zest, and a dramatic high-heat bake.

Flourless chocolate mocha cake made with bittersweet chocolate, ground espresso beans, and a water bath bake. Crowned with vanilla whipped cream, toasted pecans, and a zig-zag chocolate drizzle.

Fudgy brownies made with pureed tepary beans, carob powder, and honey instead of butter and sugar. Loaded with walnuts and raisins. The secret ingredient? Nobody will guess.