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MAKE HOMEMADE VANILLA
There's very little that compares to the tantalizing aroma of vanilla. A small decorative bottle filled with homemade vanilla makes a great stocking stuffer or gift for cooking enthusiasts.
TRADITIONAL VANILLA
INGREDIENTS
(Makes 8-ounces)
1/2-pint Vodka
4 Vanilla beans
Seal tight bottle or container
Decorative bottle
1. Using a sharp kitchen knife, cut a lengthwise slit down the middle of each vanilla bean.
2. Cut vanilla beans into 1/2-3/4 inch pieces.
3. Pour vodka into your container.
4. Add vanilla beans to container and shake.
5. Wait and shake. It will take 30-days for the vanilla extract to mature. Once each day, vigorously shake the container for 30-seconds.
6. Once the 30-day cycle has finished, strain the liquid through a colander or coffee filter and place in decorative bottle.
BRANDY VANILLA
INGREDIENTS
(Makes 8-ounces)
1 cup Brandy
1 whole vanilla bean
1. Place Brandy into seal-tight container.
2. Add one vanilla bean.
3. Wait. It will take 3-weeks for vanilla to cure properly.
4. Pour into decorator bottle.
TIPS
FOR added visual appearance, use vanilla beans to decorate. Tie small vanilla beans to the outside of the bottle's lid or add a small, uncut vanilla bean to the inside of the bottle.
FOR even stronger, more potent vanilla extract, allow the liquid 6 months to one year of sitting time.
MAKE your own label using common stick-on address labels and attach to the outside of the bottle.
BUYING vanilla beans at a natural foods store will be less expensive than picking them up at the corner market.
VANILLA keeps its natural flavors best when stored in a dark colored, airtight, corked bottle.
SMALL corked decorative bottles can be purchased almost anywhere.
TIE a recipe card to your decorated bottle for brownies, pies or cakes which require vanilla.
GIVE your gift of vanilla with the extract's recipe attached.
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