I've found a couple of websites which have some good recipes for
vanilla -- one is the following:
http://www.lavanillere.com/recettes_eng.htm#glace

which is a Tahitian vanilla bean site. Check out the fish baked in
paper, sounds wonderful and well worth trying.
I have on occasions made a savoury vanilla cream sauce for rich seafood
such as lobster.
Interesting to read about vanilla infused olive oil and vinegar. May
just put a bean in a bottle of e.v.o.oil seeing I have plenty of beans
to play with (<g>).
I use the pure vanilla extract as well as Bourbon vanilla powder, the
latter adds a subtle flavour balance to chocolate/coffee cake, mousse
type recipes. I also keep a little jar of the powder mixed with equal
qty of dutched cocoa powder for dusting.
desserts/cakes.
Oh, this is making me hungry, or at least the desire to get into the
kitchen and start baking......
Cheers
Bronwyn

Here at the grocer we can pay $7 per bean.