Product Description
Vanilla is a very versatile flavoring and in 'Simply Vanilla' Patty Elsberry and Matt Bolus show cooks and chefs of all levels of expertise the many uses of this unique plant. These recipes are intended to teach the reader the basics of cooking with vanilla and will generate creative ideas on the use of vanilla in everyday cooking.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 8 reviews)

Essential reading!!!!

Years ago I was on the island of La Digue, in the Seychelles. A local chap named Sunly drove us up into the forest on his ox-cart. He was an authority on all the local flora and fauna. In the evenings he would cook us curries made from the local reef fish and all the exotic ingredients that grew in the jungle behind the bungalow.
One day he pulled a long bean pod from a tree and asked in his patois of broken French and English "qu'est-ce qui est cela?"
One whiff and it was clearly vanilla! We gathered up a few and that evening they were used in the curried parrot fish. I think the Seycellois call it a Massale.
After reading Simply Vanilla I remembered that meal on La Digue, and for the sake of nostalgia wrote to Sunly to post me some of those Vanilla beans!
I now use these recipes from Matt Bolus on a regular basis (especially the vanilla red curry) and would consider his book obligatory reading for anyone who enjoys eating the finer things in life! Well done!!!
Kirk (New Zealand)
April 11, 2008

"Simply" Irresistable!

Yummy! I''ll never look at Vanilla the same way again! This book offers quite the tutorial on the spice that I knew very little about. I'm amazed at how many everyday foods can be jazzed up by the use of this ingredient. From breakfast to dinner, Vanilla can play an amazing role in making a meal very memorable. I especially enjoyed the chapter on how to use and store vanilla beans. What I thought would be hard to do, is actually very easy. Well written with easy to follow recipes. Try the French Toast with Orange Vanilla Butter. It is absolutely outstanding!
May 02, 2007

Vanilla bible

Fantastic information about vanilla and some extremely creative ways to use the wonderful bean. From breakfast dishes to desserts you will never look at vanilla the same way again. The pictures are great and the recipes are detailed and easy to follow. After reading this book you will find that vanilla is not just for dessert anymore.
March 16, 2007

The Gamut of Gastronomy

Wasn't it Gordon Ramsay who wished to canonise the chef who added vanilla to a fish stock to impart a certain creaminess without the cream. Brilliant, as is this tome. Truly a cornucopia of culinary delights, yet disciplined and well structured. As a result I have run out of the stuff! As a good aide to cuisine should be; inspirational and inventive. A great reference that should be in every kitchen
March 01, 2007

A new look at vanilla

This is a nice little cook book that offers time honored recipes with a new twist to them. The recipes are well layed out and easy to follow. Try the vanilla dry rub pork chops. It's our favorite!
February 28, 2007

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