Making your own Vanilla Extract seemed extremely easy, so I thought I would give it a shot. I used
- 4 whole organic Vanilla Beans
- 4 whole organic Vanilla Beans
- 1 cup vodka (although you can also use bourbon or brandy) I just happened to have vodka at home.
Using a paring knife, cut the vanilla beans lengthwise, leaving the seeds inside intact. Drop your vanilla beans in a jar, cover with vodka, and screw the cap tight. Store the jar in an easily accessible location as every day for the next 4 to 6 weeks, you will need to shake the jar. Not for a long time but the motion helps the flavor migrate from the beans to the vodka. Depending on how strong a vanilla flavor you want, you can add new vanilla beans to make a stronger extract. Once you've got the flavor of the at the desired strength, strain the Vanilla Beans out (using cheese cloth or a fine sieve) and bottle the extract. For added visual appeal, use a clear jar and put a Vanilla Bean in each bottle.
Vanilla extract lasts indefinitely, and becomes more aromatic and flavorful as it ages (just like a fine bottle of wine!). You can use your homemade Vanilla Extract in exactly the same way you would use your store-bought extract.
Using a paring knife, cut the vanilla beans lengthwise, leaving the seeds inside intact. Drop your vanilla beans in a jar, cover with vodka, and screw the cap tight. Store the jar in an easily accessible location as every day for the next 4 to 6 weeks, you will need to shake the jar. Not for a long time but the motion helps the flavor migrate from the beans to the vodka. Depending on how strong a vanilla flavor you want, you can add new vanilla beans to make a stronger extract. Once you've got the flavor of the at the desired strength, strain the Vanilla Beans out (using cheese cloth or a fine sieve) and bottle the extract. For added visual appeal, use a clear jar and put a Vanilla Bean in each bottle.
Vanilla extract lasts indefinitely, and becomes more aromatic and flavorful as it ages (just like a fine bottle of wine!). You can use your homemade Vanilla Extract in exactly the same way you would use your store-bought extract.
Vanilla Liquor: Add Vanilla Beans to liquors. They are especially wonderful in whiskey, bourbon, or vodka. This one's for Alton:-)
Vanilla Ice Cream: If you have an ice cream maker, you can add some of the vanilla seeds to your base.
Vanilla Honey: Gently heat honey with a Vanilla Bean in it to create Vanilla infused honey. Simple and delectable for dipping fresh fruit or drizzling over desserts.
Vanilla Lemonade: Drop a vanilla bean in a pitcher of lemonade.
Vanilla infused coconut oil: I put a pod in some virgin coconut oil and let it sit for a while. Then I used it to make gluten free mochi cake...yum!
Vanilla Lemonade: Drop a vanilla bean in a pitcher of lemonade.
Vanilla infused coconut oil: I put a pod in some virgin coconut oil and let it sit for a while. Then I used it to make gluten free mochi cake...yum!
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