My cousin, Paul, made this vanilla extract using whole vanilla beans, Smirnoff vodka, in 8 ounce glass clamp bottles, giving the extract as gifts to friends and family.
Initially, Paul thought this would be an inexpensive way to make a lot of holiday gifts, but ended up costing a bit more than he anticipated. Whole vanilla beans can be quite costly, especially when you buy them prepackaged at your local grocery store-as much as $10 per bean! Vanilla beans aren't actually beans but the long, thin, dried pods of an orchid, that have most likely have been imported all the way from Madagascar and Tahiti-no wonder prices are high!
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| Vanilla Beans |
Paul, advises buying vanilla beans where they are sold in bulk- try your local natural food store, where vanilla beans are sold in bulk for about $2 per bean. Paul used Smirnoff Vodka (about $15 per liter) and 8 ounce glass clamp bottles like the one pictured ($2-6 a piece, prices will vary.)
1 vanilla bean per 8oz of vodka
1. Cut whole vanilla bean vertically-like peeling a banana. Then put it in the bottle.
2. Add 8 oz of Smirnoff vodka to the bottle per vanilla bean.
3. Close clamp and place bottle in a cool dry place for 2 months. 4. Shake the bottle to circulate flavors once every 2 weeks.
Although this gift idea might not be the thriftiest of ventures, it produces a superior flavored extract that the bakers on your list will cherish.
What kinds of extracts have you tried?
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Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/tipstools/ingredients/2008/04/vanilla_bean#ixzz2GsK41Ijn
Image Credit: http://www.bonappetit.com
