Mexican Vanilla Love Affair

A friend recently gave me her vanilla.  It is almost impossible to find vanilla extract in Barcelona.  I guess I complain about this a lot as a friend donated hers to my kitchen.  This bottle was different from ones I would usually buy in the States.  I started cooking with it and fell in love!  It is Mexican Vanilla (how have I never heard of this before?) and makes everything taste like heaven.

One thing I have been using it for a lot lately is oatmeal.  In 10 years of marriage, I have rarely been able to get my husband to eat oatmeal.  Even my finest trickery does't work, I can't fancy it up enough with fruit and nuts and sugar.  HOWEVER, I started putting a little Mexican Vanilla in along with cinnamon and he eats it up!  I've actually named this recipe: The Only Oatmeal Jeff Will Eat.

If you find Mexican Vanilla, please send me some!  I am to my last drop.

On a savory note, I threw this delicious new salad together the other day with the remaining contents of my fridge.  I took some old bread from the freezer and made homemade croutons with olive oil, salt and pepper, crisped up some jamon serrano, cut up green peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce.  I crumbled goat cheese on top and drizzled on dressing of white wine vinegar, diced onion, and olive oil.  It was delish and filling!  I'll think twice now before refusing a salad for a meal...maybe.

*photo's courtesy of jeff watkin

-xoxo,
daughter