Vanilla and Gastronomy: How to Enhance Your Savory and Sweet Dishes

The world of Madagascar vanilla is a veritable symphony of flavors, enchanting the taste buds of gourmets the world over. This precious spice is recognized as one of the world's finest, thanks to its rich aroma and exquisite flavor. In the kitchen, Madagascar vanilla is a veritable nugget, capable of transforming any sweet or savory dish into an exceptional taste experience.

It's against this enchanting backdrop that Sambavanilla stands out as a supplier of top-quality vanilla from Madagascar. In this article, we'd like to introduce you to some recipes using vanilla from Madagascar. Get ready to plunge into a world of flavors and culinary creativity, where Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar will be the star of your plates.

Madagascar vanilla: A gourmet treasure

Madagascar vanilla, nicknamed the "queen of spices", is a gourmet treasure prized the world over for its unique characteristics. Native to the Big Island, this vanilla is distinguished by its rich, complex aroma and its smooth, delicate flavor. It's this exceptional combination that makes it one of the most prized varieties by chefs and food lovers the world over.

Why should you choose Madagascar vanilla for your recipes? The answer lies in its unrivalled quality. The island's ideal climatic conditions favor slow growth, enabling the development of intense aromas and flavors. Madagascar vanilla beans are fleshy, soft and bursting with thousands of tiny, fragrant seeds, perfect for enriching your culinary creations.

Working with local, quality producers, such as those selected by Sambavanilla, has many advantages. Not only does it guarantee the freshness of the vanilla, but it also contributes to supporting local communities and preserving traditional cultivation methods.

By choosing Madagascar vanilla, you're choosing an authentic taste experience and a positive contribution to sustainability and the local economy. Feel free to explore our range of Madagascar vanillas to take your sweet and savory dishes to the next level of deliciousness.

Recipes with Madagascar vanilla

Madagascar vanilla isn't just for sweet desserts. It can also bring a touch of elegance and originality to savory dishes. Here are three detailed recipes that will help you discover how to incorporate Madagascar vanilla into savory culinary creations while bringing out the harmony of flavors.

Examples of sweet recipes with Madagascar vanilla

1. Vanilla and Passion Fruit Panna Cotta

Ingredients:
● 300 ml liquid crème fraîche
● 100 ml milk
● 70 g caster sugar
● 2 Madagascar vanilla pods
● 3 gelatin leaves
● 4 passion fruits
● 50 g powdered sugar

Instructions:
a.    Split the vanilla beans in half and scrape out the seeds inside.
b.    In a saucepan, heat the cream, milk, powdered sugar, vanilla seeds, and empty vanilla pods over low heat. Don't bring to the boil, just enough to dissolve the sugar completely. Remove the vanilla pods once the flavoring has infused.
c.    Meanwhile, soak the gelatin sheets in cold water for about 5 minutes until softened.
d.    Once softened, gently squeeze out the gelatine leaves and stir into the hot vanilla mixture. Stir well until completely dissolved.
e.    Pour into individual ramekins and leave to cool to room temperature.
f.    Refrigerate the ramekins for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the panna cotta to set.
g.    Just before serving, cut the passion fruit in half, remove the pulp and seeds with a spoon and mix with the powdered sugar.
h.    Carefully unmould the panna cottas onto serving plates and generously drizzle with the passion fruit sauce.

This Madagascar vanilla and passion fruit panna cotta offers a blend of vanilla sweetness and exotic acidity that will awaken your taste buds. A refined and deliciously original dessert to impress your guests.

2. Mango and Vanilla Tart

Ingredients:
● 1 shortcrust pastry
● 3 ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted and sliced
● 2 Madagascar vanilla pods
● 100 g sugar
● 2 tablespoons cornstarch
● 1 egg (for gilding)

Instructions:
a.    Preheat your oven to 180°C.
b.    Roll out the shortcrust pastry in a tart tin and prick the base with a fork.
c.    Mix the sugar and cornstarch in a bowl.
d.    Split the vanilla pods in half and scrape out the seeds. Add them to the sugar-cornflour mixture.
e.    Arrange the mango slices on the tart base.
f.    Sprinkle the sugar-starch-vanilla mixture over the mangoes.
g.    Fold the edges of the pastry over the mangoes to create a rustic crust.
h.    Beat egg and brush over crust to brown.
i.    Bake the tart for 30-35 minutes, until the crust is golden and the mangoes are tender.
j.    Allow to cool before serving.

This mango and Madagascar vanilla tart is a fruity, fragrant dessert that will seduce your taste buds with its tropical flavors.

Examples of savoury recipes with Madagascar vanilla

1. Vanilla Salmon Fillet

Ingredients:
● 4 fresh salmon fillets
● 2 Madagascar vanilla beans
● 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
● Salt and pepper to taste
● Juice of one lemon
● 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions:
a.    Preheat your oven to 180°C.
b.    In a small bowl, mix the lemon juice, honey, and vanilla seeds previously scraped from the pods.
c.    Brush salmon fillets with this mixture.
d.    Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Sear the salmon fillets for about 2 minutes on each side.
e.    Transfer the salmon fillets to an ovenproof dish. Pour the remaining vanilla sauce over them.
f.    Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the salmon is cooked to your liking.
g.    Serve hot with a little salt and pepper to enhance the flavours.

This recipe with vanilla bean combines the sweetness of vanilla with the richness of salmon to create an incomparable taste experience.

2. Vanilla Mango Chicken

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 Madagascar vanilla beans
2 ripe mangoes, diced
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
a.    Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and brown on both sides.
b.    Meanwhile, scrape the seeds from the vanilla pods.
c.    Add the vanilla seeds, chopped red onion, diced mango, salt and pepper to the pan.
d.    Simmer for about 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
e.    Serve hot with basmati rice or grilled vegetables.

This recipe combines the sweetness of vanilla with the fresh sweetness of mango to create a symphony of exotic flavors in every bite.

3. Vanilla Sauce for Seafood

Ingredients:
● 250 ml crème fraîche
● 2 Madagascar vanilla pods
● 1 shallot, finely chopped
● 1 tablespoon butter
● Salt and pepper to taste
● Seafood of your choice (shrimp, scallops, etc.)

Instructions:
a.    In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped shallot and sauté until translucent.
b.    Add the crème fraîche and vanilla seeds scraped from the pods.
c.    Simmer over low heat for a few minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
d.    Season to taste with salt and pepper.
e.    Cook your seafood separately according to your preference (grilled, pan-fried, boiled).
f.    Coat seafood with vanilla sauce before serving.

Vanilla sauce enhances the delicate flavor of seafood and adds an exquisite touch to your meal.

Tips for using fresh vanilla beans

What to do with fresh vanilla beans? When working with fresh vanilla beans, be sure to split them in half and scrape out the seeds inside. The seeds are the fragrant essence of vanilla and should be incorporated into the recipe for maximum flavor. You can also use the empty pods to infuse liquids such as milk or cream, to add a subtle vanilla note to your dishes.

Incorporating Madagascar vanilla into savoury recipes adds an original and surprising dimension to your meals. It fuses harmoniously with a variety of ingredients to create memorable dishes. Don't hesitate to experiment with these recipes and let your culinary creativity express itself with Madagascar vanilla, a real gourmet treasure to be discovered.

Contact Sambavanilla for more information about our premium vanilla.

We hope this article has inspired you to explore the countless possibilities offered by Madagascar vanilla in your culinary creations, whether sweet or savory. The aromatic richness of this precious spice can truly transform your dishes and awaken new flavors in every bite.

If you'd like to discover the exceptional quality of Madagascar vanilla and enjoy our products, please don't hesitate to contact us. At Sambavanilla, we're proud to offer you a carefully chosen selection of premium vanillas from Madagascar, grown by trusted producers.

We're here to answer your questions, guide you in your choices and share our passion for this exquisite spice.