It's worth the splurge for the deep flavor you'll get by infusing your dairy with the bean. For desserts lighter in color ...

When selecting vanilla beans, look for pods that are plump, flexible, and have a deep brown color. Dry or brittle beans may lack the potency and aroma you want in your recipes. Start by slicing ...

To efficiently seed a vanilla bean, use a paring knife to split the ... and butter turns a deep golden color, about 14 minutes. Remove from heat; pour brown butter into a heatproof bowl, scraping ...

In a word, a bore. How then am I woozy and heavy-lidded in the presence of a single vanilla bean? It lies on my desk, skinny as a twig, with a little curling hook at one end, like a fossilized ...