L.A. Times Test Kitchen tips: Vanilla sugar

Next time a recipe calls for a vanilla bean, don't discard the pod after you've scooped out the seeds. Throw it in with your sugar.  It will give the sugar a nice, light hint of vanilla.

Here in the Test Kitchen, we throw our pods in with the sugar next to the coffee pot. It adds a bright touch of vanilla to the morning brew.

If you have any kitchen tips or questions you'd like me to explore, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at noelle.carter@latimes.com.

-- Noelle Carter
Twitter/noellecarter

Photo: LA Times Test Kitchen coffee sugar. Credit: Noelle Carter