Let's travel back to the 17th century when an innovative apothecary, Hugh Morgan, sparked a revolution in flavor!
The Aztecs enjoyed their chocolatl with a hint of vanilla, and eventually, Europeans, despite initial disdain (one Spaniard was particularly unimpressed, likening chocolate to a swine's beverage), embraced the practice. Initially, vanilla was seen merely as an accompaniment to chocolate until the early 17th Century.
At this time, Hugh Morgan, an inventive apothecary in Queen Elizabeth I's service, created confections flavored solely with vanilla, which the Queen greatly admired. By the following century, the French had begun using vanilla to flavor ice cream, a delicacy Thomas Jefferson encountered in Paris during the 1780s while serving as the American Minister to France. Jefferson was so enamored with the treat that he took note of a recipe, now archived in the Library of Congress.
Now, let's recreate this historic delicacy in your kitchen! Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1 vanilla bean pod (split lengthwise)
Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions:
In a saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
Add the split vanilla bean pod to the sugar syrup, infusing it with aromatic vanilla goodness. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the syrup to cool slightly.
Carefully remove the vanilla bean pod from the syrup, squeezing out any remaining seeds into the mixture.
Using a spoon, carefully drop small dollops of the vanilla-infused syrup onto parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Let the sweetmeats cool and harden for about 30 minutes.
Once cooled, dust the sweetmeats with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and elegance.
Serve these delightful treats at your next gathering and watch as they transport your taste buds back in time to the majestic courts of yore!
Let's celebrate the rich history and exquisite flavor of vanilla together! Share your creations and tag your fellow history buffs. Let's indulge in a taste of the past!
