Vanilla Pecan Fudge 

Ahh, Vanilla. There is a slight reference to native American Indians using vanilla in recipes along with chocolate. In 1662 Spanish Conquistadors brought the vanilla bean from Mexico to Europe and its use in ice cream in the 1800's made it ever more popular.

Vanilla comes from the fruit (bean) seeds produced by a tropical orchid. Today 3/4 of commercially grown vanilla is produced in Madagascar. The vanilla bean goes through a six month process of soaking, "sweating", drying and fermenting before being marketed. I don't think I really wanted to know that info!