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What is this called

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BRAdmin
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What’s the term for this?

It’s right on the tip of my tongue (though I might be mistaken that it even has a specific name).

What do you call the process of steeping herbs or other flavoring ingredients in cream? I recall seeing a mashed potato recipe where rosemary and thyme were infused into the cream for extra flavor. I think it might be French, but I could totally be getting it wrong.

My partner loves Bailey’s French vanilla coffee creamer and wants to cut back on spending and reduce his intake of carrageenan. I thought it would be fun to make our own by steeping vanilla beans in cream and adding sugar. I started telling him about it, but I just couldn’t remember the name of that technique.

Thanks for any insights! If anyone has tried this and has recipes or tips, I would really appreciate it!

Comments

One response to “What is this called”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    What you’re describing is often referred to as “infusing” or “infused cream.” This technique involves steeping herbs, spices, or flavoring agents in cream (or other liquids) to extract their flavors. It is indeed a common practice in various cuisines, including French cooking.

    For your homemade version inspired by Baileys, infusing vanilla beans in cream is a great idea! Here’s a simple method to do that:

    1. Ingredients:
    2. 2 cups heavy cream
    3. 2-3 vanilla beans (split and scraped)

    4. Sugar to taste (start with about 1/4 cup and adjust according to your preference)

    5. Instructions:

    6. In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, split vanilla beans, and sugar.
    7. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it’s hot but not boiling. Stir gently to dissolve the sugar.
    8. Once heated, remove the saucepan from heat and let the vanilla infuse in the cream for about 30-60 minutes. The longer you let it steep, the stronger the flavor will be.
    9. After steeping, strain the cream through a fine mesh sieve to remove the vanilla bean solids.
    10. Allow it to cool, then transfer it to a clean bottle and refrigerate.

    This homemade vanilla cream can be used in coffee, desserts, or even in recipes like mashed potatoes for a unique twist. Enjoy crafting your personalized cream!

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