On the heels of Emma's post on imitation vanilla vs. the real stuff comes this rejection of vanilla entirely. Why do so many recipes call for up to a tablespoon of vanilla when there are many other options for flavoring? Discover nine alternatives to vanilla below.

• Beet Soup in Roasted Acorn Squash - An interesting combination, and great presentation too.

• The Vanilla Conspiracy - Ditching vanilla in favor of citrus, cider, syrups, vinegar...

• Portion Control Mats at Delight.com. Silly? Helpful?

• Baked Spinach Chips at Cooking Books. How delicious do these look!