Vanilla Vinaigrette

I eat a lot of salad and this vinaigrette has become a bit of a go to in my house recently. It's super simple and quick to make. Olive oil, white vinegar, vanilla extract, salt and pepper (I leave the sugar out but if you like it a bit sweeter go for it). Vanilla vinaigrette is particular good to dress a summer salad with berries, citrus and pecans. 

I found this recipe on food.com: Salad Greens with Oranges Strawberries and Vanilla Vinaigrette

Lamb Stew with Vanilla

My husband and I received a gorgeous Le Creuset Cookware pot just like this, but in a deep red color, as a wedding present (almost 8 years ago!), so I'm a little biased towards anything presented in Le Creuset Cookware, but that aside, their lamb stew with vanilla does look really good!

I found this recipe on the Le Creuset website: Lamb Stew with Vanilla

Vanilla Green Smoothie

There's no better way to start the day than with a nutritious green smoothie. Spinach is a great option for green smoothies as it is full of green goodness but isn't bitter like other leafy greens can be, add a banana for sweetness and satiety, vanilla extract or you can use vanilla powder and cinnamon for a bit more flavor. If you need a more satiating smoothie, add almond butterand blend with your choice of milk - use a plant based milk if you are wanting a dairy-free option.  

Vanilla-Braised Beef Cheeks

As fall approaches a hearty beef dish warms everyone's bellies. A vanillla bean gives depth to this slow cook beef dish. If you don't have a whole bean on hand, you can use vanilla powder instead.

Another great recipe from Taste.com.au: Vanilla-Braised Beef Cheeks  

Vanilla mashed potatoes

This is a great addition to family dinner time, ticking all the right boxes: It's quick, easy, inexpensive, interesting and everyone will happily devour it. Don't serve plain boring mashed spuds - get some vanilla in there and keep weeknight meals interesting.

Here's a great mashed potato and vanilla recipe from Diethood: Vanilla Bean Mashed Potatoes

Coconut Vanilla Prawns

For another dish straight from the islands, this is a decadent dish with prawns cooked in double cream, coconut milk, vanilla and rum! Definitely one to serve with rice to mop up all that vanilla coconut goodness.

Find the full recipe here at Food.com: Tahitian Coconut Vanilla Prawns

Vanilla Pickled Veggies

Fermenting foods is a hot health food trend right now - and for good reason. Fermented foods have been through a process of lactofermentation which preserves the food, and creates beneficial enzymes, acids, b-vitamins, and various strains of probiotics. This recipe created by UK Chef Marcus Wareing, uses a couple of vanilla pods but vanilla extract would work if you don't have any beans. Not sure about magetouts? That's French for snow and sugar snap peas!

You can get the recipe here: Vanilla Pickled Vegetables

Vanilla pork and Fennel Salad

This grilled pork chop recipe couldn't be easier. Rub salt, pepper and a de-seeded and chopped vanilla pod on a pork chop, add a bit of oil and grill it. If you really want to make it easy use ground vanilla powder instead of scraping the seeds out of the pod. You'll have this on the table in no time and it's sure to be a hit with all the family. Making pulled pork instead? Splash a dash of vanilla extract in with your BBQ sauce.

This recipe is another one from my friends at Heilala Vanilla: Vanilla Pork and Fennel Salad

Vegetables a la Barigoule

Barigoule is a provincial French dish, usually made with artichokes. Here's a modern version of it, but feel free to put artichokes in too as the edible thistle flower are full of beneficial antioxidants and are great for healthy liver function.

The recipe is from Epicurious: Vegetables a la Barigoule with Vanilla

Fish in Creamy Vanilla Sauce

For a healthy and delicious way to tenderly cook fish, check out this coconut milk and almond recipe. This recipe uses cod fish, but your could substitute the cod for any other fresh white flesh fish you can get locally.

Get the recipe from Gourmantine blog here: Cod in Creamy Vanilla Sauce