| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Southern Farmgirl |
Posted - Jun 26 2014 : 7:10:39 PM
I just strained my beans off today and tried the extract - I think it's as good as any you can buy. If you haven't tried making your own it's easy. |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Jul 26 2014 : 06:56:05 AM
Welcome, Lyn! It's lovely to rekindle home fires :)
Marie, Honorable Vodka! I love it. That reminds me of how I once had to tell my local adult beverage proprietor why I wanted pure ethanol. It was something they didn't like to admit they had in the back room; apparently, it was something frat boys used at their parties to spike the punch and they must have thought I was a bad mother sent to make the purchase legally. Wrong, of course. I used it to make herbal tinctures, especially the ones involving tough roots. You could use it almost straight, if needed, or cut it with water to stretch a small bottle for years. They never believed me, but I always eventually walked away with my bottle -- a whole fifth for a few bucks. I later got wiser and switched to good-quality brandy. It helps to mask the sometimes unpleasant taste and smell of herbs like valerian. |
| churunga |
Posted - Jul 25 2014 : 11:39:26 PM
I will be making lemon extract soon from dried organic lemon peels. I took some vodka away from someone who should not have been drinking it. I want to use it for a more honorable purpose.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
| DvilleMama |
Posted - Jul 25 2014 : 9:31:56 PM
Rosemary, the sugar idea sounds yummy!
Lyn
After being away for too many years living life, I'm rekindling that farmgirl flame in my heart! That makes me happy. |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Jul 25 2014 : 6:25:41 PM
I use bourbon. Ohhhhhh!
By the way, you can also stick a sliced vanilla bean in your sugar jar (a big one) and shift it around every so often so all the sugar gets a chance to be near it. Makes sugar an even nicer thing to eat. |
| DvilleMama |
Posted - Jul 24 2014 : 10:27:10 PM
Hi Judi,
It's real simple. For best quality, you want to find organic vanilla beans. The non-organic ones are notorious for being sprayed with nasty stuff that gives off carcinogens. When you get them, they should be moist & kind of oily to the touch and smell oh, so lovely.
You want to use a ratio of 3 whole vanilla beans per 1 cup alcohol. I use Heaven Hill vodka from Meijer. (I'm near Lansing, by the way. Grew up in Canton :) )
Split each vanilla pod lengthwise with a sharp knife. With your fingers, separate the split pod, exposing the vanilla beans. Place in a glass jar or bottle, preferably Amber colored. Add the alcohol. You want to make sure the alcohol covers the pods. If the pods are too tall. You can cut them down with scissors. Place container in a dark place in your kitchen. Shake it once a day for 1-2 weeks. It's ready to use after 6 weeks. The longer you let it age, the more flavorful it becomes. When I bottle my vanilla, I split the pods up amongst the bottles so it can keep aging.
Makes for great gift giving. This year, I'm going to experiment with a cherry infused vodka to make cherry vanilla.
If you do an internet search for homemade vanilla, you'll find recipes, including ones that use different alcohols.
Cheers!
Lyn
After being away for too many years living life, I'm rekindling that farmgirl flame in my heart! That makes me happy. |
| Judiquilts |
Posted - Jul 04 2014 : 11:42:57 AM
I would love to make my own Vanilla extract...could anyone direct me to a recipe
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| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Jul 04 2014 : 06:41:02 AM
Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa, has a vanilla recipe that I've always wanted to try. You both inspired me to give it a shot.
Dawn in IL |
| naturemaiden |
Posted - Jul 04 2014 : 02:56:17 AM
Alice I've made it and it is easy and smells delicious!
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