Wednesday, February 24, 2010

~ Homemade Vanilla Flavoring ~

Last Friday while Dh and I were out to pick-up the hens , we stopped by the liquor store to get some vodka. I use vodka for my tinctures , but my main reason for picking up vodka was to make more homemade vanilla flavoring . You may remember I made vanilla flavoring for the first time about a year and a half ago. I think it was Kathie over at Two Frog Home that posted about making your own homemade vanilla flavoring , it was the first time I had heard of making your own. Well , it's definitely worth the time and effort put into it . You can order organic vanilla beans here ~ http://www.organic-vanilla.com/servlet/StoreFront ~ . I've ordered from them a couple of times , the first time for myself and the second time for my sister-in-law. I was very pleased with the vanilla beans and the service I received. If you're a baker , you know how expensive vanilla flavoring can be. But if you buy some vanilla beans and vodka you can make your own , it's economical , no preservatives , corn syrup or added artificial colorings , the taste is heavenly and it's so easy to make. If you google making vanilla flavoring , you'll find many different techniques , you may find another technique that works for you. But this is how I made it ~ http://www.ehow.com/how_4454043_make-vanilla-extract.html ~.




I made a score/slit down the length of the vanilla bean first , you don't want to cut through the bean as shown above , just enough to let the inside of bean be exposed for extracting.




then I cut the vanilla beans into 1 inch pieces ,



put 4 or more vanilla beans in each pint jar , add 2 cups of 100 proof vodka , put lid on each jar and shake , be sure to label and add date. I also marked the calender with the date that it will be ready. In six to eight weeks , you can strain it or leave the vanilla beans in and strain as needed. I leave the beans in , because they add more flavor over time. I added a tbsp of this flavoring to the snow cream I made for Valentine's Day and it tasted like French Vanilla ice cream , umm ~ sooo good.

The weatherman is saying we might see an inch or 2 of snow tonight , so maybe we'll have snow cream one more time before " Spring ".

Hope Everyone is having a good week !

~ Blessings ~

JoyceAnn

12 comments:

Mother Moon said...

How funny.. I just posted about this very thing this morning...

http://rantingsofacrazedwoman.blogspot.com/2010/02/bottle-of-vodka-and-few-vanilla-beans.html

It is the only way to do vanilla... simply wonderful

JoyceAnn said...

Wow ~ I blopped over and read your post , we were on the same wave length today (LOL). I agree it's the only way to do vanilla. Hope you read this , I couldn't leave a comment on your blog.

~ Blessings ~

Vickie LeBlanc said...

It cracks me up to see how much you and I are alike. I made homemade vanilla two weeks ago. How long do you leave it ? Mine already smells heavenly.

JoyceAnn said...

Hi Vickie ~ The first batch I made , I just used it straight from the jar I made it in. I never removed the beans , it just got better with age. I don't mind the seeds and flakes in my vanilla. I did wait 8 weeks before using it though. I made 3 pints this time , plan to strain and bottle some for my daughters. I'll probably use mine straight from the jar , just like the last batch.

~ Be Blessed ~

Flassie's Fil'a said...

Snow cream would be really nice to have. I haven't had it in years.

This looks so easy and simple to do. I sent the links to family.

Now is that four beans or four, one inch cut beans pieces you put in each jar?

God Bless You and Yours!!!

Callie Brady said...

What a great idea! I can almost smell those vanilla beans. mmmmm

J C said...

Hey JoyceAnn. I dont always comment but I visit a lot. I love reading about your homestead and I'm totally in love with all your chickens and their individual personalities. Ah wuvs chickens! xoxoxo

JoyceAnn said...

Hi Flassie ~ We didn't get snow , so no snow cream :0(. You add 4 whole vanilla beans , cut up in small pieces.

Hi Callie ~ Glad you dropped by !

JoyceAnn said...

Hi Judie ~ You put a smile on my face this morning :0) , loved your comment. Glad you like reading about the chickens , they're wonderful quirky birds , that's for sure.

~ Many Blessings ~

Anonymous said...

I knew a guy that tried to make homemade vanilla extract but all he made was homemade vanilla flavored vodka. I do have to say it was still good-lol. That looks wonderful, very rich and colorful, unlike what he made.

AkasaWolfSong said...

Thanks JoyceAnn for the recipe...I am going to try my hand at this and see how I faire...

Blessings! :)

AkasaWolfSong said...

JoyceAnn...which vanilla bean did you purchase?

Just curious! :)