Home Made Vanilla Extract Food

HOW TO MAKE VANILLA EXTRACT

Steps:

• Cut the vanilla beans in half lengthwise with scissors or a knife. Leave a bit intact at the end if desired. Cut the beans down to fit the height of your jar if necessary.
• Put the beans in an 8-ounce jar. Cover with the vodka. Screw the lid on and give it a good shake.
• Place in a cool, dark place. Let sit for at least 2 months. The longer the vanilla sits, the stronger the flavor will be. While it's sitting, give the jar a shake every week, or as often as you can remember.

VANILLA EXTRACT

Steps:

• Find a tall bottle that will hold at least a dozen vanilla beans. Fill the bottle with vodka. Let the beans marinate in the vodka for at least a month.

VANILLA EXTRACT

Steps:

• Combine the vanilla beans and vodka in a jar tall enough to hold the vanilla beans. Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for at least a month until the vodka becomes vanilla extract and the beans are soft enough to cut the end and squeeze the seeds out. Add more vanilla or beans, as needed. The extract can sit at room temperature indefinitely.

HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT

Steps:

• Fill a quart mason jar with vanilla beans standing on end. Top up with brandy to cover the beans and seal. Let it sit for a month before using to allow the vanilla to permeate the brandy. Top up with fresh beans and brandy from time to time.

HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT

Steps:

• Split the vanilla beans lengthwise, leaving them attached at one end. Place them in a 10- to 12-ounce bottle and cover with the liquor. Put on the top and shake vigorously. Store at room temperature for 4 weeks to let the flavor develop and mature, shaking the bottle once a week. The extract will keep at room temperature in a dark place (like your cabinet) for up to 6 months.

HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT

Steps:

• Place the vanilla beans in the bottle of vodka and seal. Store in a cool, dark area such as a kitchen cabinet for 3 weeks, shaking the bottle every week. Three weeks is the minimum, store it 6 months for the best flavor. After using, replace with more vodka. The same beans will continue to flavor the vanilla for up to a year.

HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, slice the vanilla beans open lengthwise to expose the seeds. Tuck the beans in the jar or bottle and pour in the vodka. Close the jar, shake it a few times, and place it in a cool, dark space. Let the jar rest for 6 to 8 weeks, shaking it again once or twice a week. The mixture will get darker and darker over time. When the extract starts to run low, top it off with more vodka and shake again. Also, whenever you use a vanilla bean, don't hesitate to add it to the jar after you've used it. This will continue to "feed" your vanilla extract and it should keep forever. Vanilla Variations: Vanilla Sugar: Split 2 vanilla beans and scrape the seeds into an air-tight container with 3 cups granulated sugar. Cover the beans in sugar and tightly seal. Let the sugar sit for 2 weeks. Use just as you would use regular granulated sugar.
• Vanilla Almonds: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Beat the egg white with the vanilla extract, add the almonds and stir to coat. Combine the sugar, salt, and cinnamon and combine with mixture. Place in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees F for 20 minutes. Remove and cool on wax paper and break into clusters.

HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT

Steps:

• Roughly chop 4 scraped vanilla pods and pack into a smallish jar or bottle. Fill with alcohol, about 40% proof (I used 100ml white rum to four pods; vodka would also be good), and seal well. Shake daily. The extract is strong enough to use after just one week, but will benefit from a month of steeping. Store in a cool, dark place.