Last week, I got an out-of-this-world parcel in the mail from my good friend Jodi. It was full of the most amazing baking ingredients I have ever had! Here is a shot of the contents:
OMG - real, actual, in the flesh vanilla beans! I have never ever had any at my disposal before EVER. Up here, they are about $7 per bean! Jodi sent me three packages - and they are all different!Also, dried sour cherries! I have never been able to find these here, either! So, now I have tons for all kinds of different uses!
Additionally, there were some smoked pecans, a selection of maple products (the maple sugar is really nice on oatmeal), a selection of nice hot chocolates, some citrus oils (I cannot wait to use these babies!), some chopped ginger in syrup, a can of almond paste, some seasoning mix, some nice chocolate, and a cookie cookbook! I plan on using the ginger for an upcoming dessert - it will be perfect for a gingerbread cake I'm making.
I am blown away by the vanilla beans...I feel so decadent with them and now am not sure what to do with them all! I have lots of ideas for the cherries, though.
Thank you, Jodi! This is an awesome gift! I will definitely post about the things I make with these luxuriant ingredients!
And Juno was happy, too! She loves a new box to play in!
