I love vanilla. A lot. I buy it in quart bottles for general use, and I usually have other vanillas hanging around, as well.
So this time I decided to add it to some bread. It's not that unusual. I've used vanilla in sweet breads before, but really vanilla isn't sweet on its own - we think of it as sweet because it's usually used in dessert. This time, I added vanilla to a loaf that was entirely savory.
The vanilla flavor wasn't in the forefront. In fact, most people probably wouldn't name it if they tasted it.
But then again, it's doubtful people would be able to name most individual ingredients in most dishes. It's not about tasting individual flavors - it's about creating a harmonious finished product.
Sure, you could make this loaf without the vanilla, but give it a try ... you might like it.
Bread Machine Loaf with Vanilla
1 cup water
1 teaspoon instant yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
3 cups (13 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Please all the ingredients in your bread machine in the order suggested by the bread maker's instructions. Press the appropriate buttons.
When the bread is done, remove it from the machine and let it cool complete on a rack before slicing.