MANGO WITH VANILLA BEAN SYRUP

I did it...I finally bought a (as in one) vanilla bean for $8! I have been eyeing this bean in a little glass jar for quite a while now...in fact, every time I went to the store I would stop and look at it. I always felt like I could never justify the expense but then I found a recipe and decided to go for it. I was so excited when I got home. I took it out of the jar and examined my little bean...it smelled heavenly...almost like licorice and cherry tobacco.
Here it is!

For future reference I found vanilla beans through Amazon for a way better deal....here.

Mango with Vanilla Bean Syrup
Inspired by a recipe from Donna Hay Magazine, Issue #48
Serves 2

1 mango, peeled
1/2 sugar
1/4 water
1/4 vanilla bean

In a small sauce pan, add the sugar and water.
Cut off a 2-inch piece of the vanilla bean and cut in half vertically.

Scrape the seeds out of both sides and add to the sugar and water.

Bring to a boil over medium high heat and reduce to a low and simmer for about 10 minutes.

Using a paring knife peel the mango. Take a vegetable peeler and cut nice long strips of mango.

Arrange on a plate. Pour the syrup over the mango and serve immediately.

You could also try with other fruits...in the magazine they used papaya but really any soft fruit would work great.

PRINTABLE RECIPE