❖ [Vanilla Rice] How to Enhance Rice Aroma with Vanilla Beans? Don’t Toss Leftover Beans! A 5-Step Recipe for Vanilla-Infused Steamed Rice

What Can You Do with Leftover Vanilla Bean Shells?

As a professional vanilla bean farmer, I aim to dispel the stereotype that vanilla is exclusively for desserts. Vanilla beans can also be incorporated into everyday cooking! In this article, I’ll share a simple yet special recipe for vanilla-infused steamed rice. By using leftover vanilla bean shells, you can fully infuse their aroma into the rice, ensuring every bite is bursting with rich, natural fragrance.

In fact, vanilla beans are not as expensive as many people think. Farmers sell vanilla beans starting from 50 grams, priced between 20 and 80 TWD per bean. By using just a small amount, you can elevate the layers and aroma of any dish, making everyday life feel more ceremonial.

Why not give it a try now? Make a fragrant vanilla steamed rice dish for yourself and your family!

Vanilla Bean Steamed Rice Ingredients

Steamed Rice Ingredients

White rice: 2 cups Water: 2 cups Vanilla bean olive oil: 3-5cc Vanilla bean or vanilla bean shell: 1 piece

Vanilla bean steamed rice will have visible black specks that look like tiny sesame powder—those are the vanilla seeds!

How to Choose Vanilla Products

When selecting vanilla products, there’s no need to limit yourself to expensive premium vanilla beans. In fact, leftover vanilla materials can still be put to good use. If you’ve used vanilla beans before, the scraped bean shells can be repurposed for cooking rice, or the extra vanilla seeds can be mixed into dishes. This way, nothing goes to waste, and the vanilla aroma is fully utilized.

If you are purchasing vanilla beans specifically for making vanilla steamed rice, we recommend opting for short vanilla beans. Though these beans are slightly shorter or less visually perfect, their aroma is nearly identical to regular beans, and they are much more affordable, making them ideal for cooking.

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Vanilla Steamed Rice Recipe

Preparing the Rice

將白米洗淨後，按照 1:1 的比例加入水（2 杯米 + 2 杯水）

Using fresh, high-quality rice allows the vanilla aroma to be absorbed more easily, and the texture of the rice will be better. However, avoid rice with a strong natural scent, such as taro-scented rice, as it may overpower the vanilla flavor.

Adding Vanilla Bean Shells

Place the used vanilla bean shells directly into the rice, or split the beans open, scrape out the seeds, and add them to the rice. This will allow the vanilla aroma to naturally infuse into every grain during cooking.

Leftover vanilla bean shells are an excellent choice—not only cost-effective but also a great way to prevent waste. Similarly, short vanilla beans are an affordable and suitable option for cooking.

Adding Vanilla Bean Olive Oil

Add 3-5cc of vanilla bean olive oil. This not only enhances the aroma but also gives the rice a shiny, glossy appearance.

Vanilla bean olive oil isn’t just for cooking rice—it’s also great for salads, marinating meats, or baking. It’s incredibly versatile.

Cooking the Rice

Place the rice into a rice cooker. Add one cup of water to the outer pot, switch it on, and wait for the rice to cook.

Final Steeping

Once cooking is complete, you can mix in leftover vanilla seeds (optional) and let the rice steep for 10 minutes. This enhances the aroma and gives a subtle creamy scent.

Stirring in vanilla seeds at the end is key to enhancing the aroma. For vanilla enthusiasts, this step ensures the fragrance lasts throughout the entire pot of rice.

Vanilla Steamed Rice Serving and Storage

Vanilla steamed rice is at its most fragrant and flavorful when freshly cooked, so it’s best consumed immediately. For storage, portion the rice into zip-lock bags and freeze. When ready to eat, defrost and reheat using a microwave.

FAQs about Vanilla Steamed Rice

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