We don;t really buy cakes or cookies in this house so if I wan them we have to cook them. I normally want them! So the girls and me bake a couple of times a week, normally a cake and cookies, I've been messing with a cookie recipe for a month or so now changing it every week to get it perfect. One ingredient I've been using with them is vanilla extract and although it's not terribly expensive from Lidl I decided to make my own.
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| Lidl vanilla extract |
I went on eBay and found some "extract grade" vanilla pods for sale, 50 for £4.83 - bargain! The "extract" grade just means they're a little drier than normal but fine for what I wanted.
I then had a hunt around the cupboards and found some half full bottles of vodka, from a life before children, untouched for probably 5 years! These would do nicely though.
I then split 40 beans in half and had my two year old helper push them into the bottle of vodka. Topped it up, shook it and put it on the top shelf in the pantry.
All I need to do now is wait a couple of months and I should have a large bottle of vanilla extract ready to use. I'll let you know how it works out!
Anyone else made their own vanilla extract?
We are halfway through our 2 month wait. I made some for presents this year utilizing some miniature bottles I had been saving. I could only get 1 bean plus its seeds in each bottle though. Probably should have done what you did and shoved them all in one bottle. However, the smell is slowly developing and the vodka has gone a nice shade of brown.
ReplyDeleteMine has started to go brown already. I do love the vanilla flavour. There's a type of grass you can grow as well that's meant to have the same smell and flavour as well, maybe I should grow that as well.
DeleteHeck I'd drink the vanilla liqueur just like that LOL
ReplyDeleteTempting.. depends what sort of say I've had. i have to admit to not being much of a drinker though!
DeleteVanilla extract is very expensive to buy here, so will have a go with making my own, but keep it 'hidden' in my larder as it is likely to be raided by my other half if he knew it was there! Am now off to source vanilla beans on the internet!!!
ReplyDeleteLet me know how you get on!
DeleteSo is it normally extracted into alcohol? And if so is it normally Vodka?
ReplyDeleteInteresting cause vodka is pretty easy to make on it's own really compared to other types of strong alcohol.
Ethanol on the bottle but anything over 35% is considered a extract I think.
DeleteI have not made it but would like to. Sounds like a good deal on the vanilla bean pods. :O) oh and the chamomile on top of the saffron .. interesting idea.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm not sure if it would work in your climate but when I read it I thought of you!
DeleteI had a blog post a couple of years ago about making our own, the exact same process. It's so much fun to do and SUCH a great bargain, considering the cost of pure vanilla extract. We even filtered some out into smaller bottles and gave away as gifts.
ReplyDeleteCongrats it will be totally worth the wait!
Using it as gifts is a good idea - I've got lots of friends who are into baking so it would be a good gift!
Deleteyes, definitely worth doing, I did a couple of years ago and am still using the same bottle. The extract quality beans sound like a good bargain though, must look those up myself! Have you thought of making some liqueurs with the left over vodka? You can find all sorts of recipes for Irish Cream and the like on the internet, using nothing more than a tin of condensed milk and a bit of instant coffee etc. I made a white chocolate liqueur a couple of years ago, it was deadly and so addictive...! Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to yourself, Mrs A and the girls.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big drinker, these bottles of vodka have been in the cupboard for years anyway so not much chance of us drinking them too soon!
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ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent idea. Plus I like 1st Man's idea of giving some as gifts. I need to give this a try!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Merry Christmas!
DeleteThanks Leigh!
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family. I know it was the best holiday of the year when my kids were still home, and I remain fond of it. Enjoy it while you are still all together!
ReplyDeleteIt is a magical time oft he year and the kids love it! Thanks Harry.
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