Alcohol actually, with a few additives... like vanilla beans. Apparently I can make vanilla extract this way. A bottle of alcohol, in this instance it's my dear departed Dad's home brew, 40 proof at least. I have added my old, used vanilla beans and a small bottle of vanilla extract that I purchased at the supermarket. I am not to shake this bottle around from time to time and leave it in a cool, dark place for a month or so. Whenever I have anymore used beans I will add them, I think I was supposed to start with at least six beans but I did not count.
I will keep you posted on this one... V x
8 comments:
Fabulous idea! Can't wait to hear about the results!
Must confess, not my idea, it was another foodie blogger but I thought I would simplify it and give it a go... Lord knows I was never going to drink the grog so this seemed a good way to use it up... now I think about it lemoncello might be another... but this is another post altogether... Vida x x x
Vida, my mother used to feed me homemade custard when I was a young boy. As a reult I have an addiction to creme anglaise made with real vanilla. I absolutely love vanilla beans and I would happily choose it anyday over chocolate. We buy our vanilla in bulk because we use so much of it-it is much cheaper that way. As a result we keep a jar of used vanilla carcasses and sugar. I think there is about one hundred vanilla beans in there...X
Paul, you have wonderful rich taste and we are both lucky as our mothers were clearly gourmets. Do what Jamie does with his beans (and I), I get ordinary sugar and my used vanilla beans and blitz them in a blender until and sift into a jar and I get caster sugar with vanilla beans right through. A good way to use up the beans and the best sugar to use through anything you like, especially creme anglaise or pavlova, creme caramel, pannacotta, jams, jellies, gosh anything you want vanilla in. For the vanilla extract, get a couple of bottles going at once so have have ample supply and even pretty little bottles as gifts for xmas. Where are you getting your beans from? I used to get them in bulk mail order from byron bay but the quality was not to my liking and now I just get them from Casa Iberica as they are sooooo soft and lovely. The best ones I EVER saw with at the Bastille Marche in Paris, they were as fat as a mans finger... ahhh Paris... Vida x
Hi Vida! Thanks for visiting my blog, Is this how vanilla extract is made?
Your daughters are really pretty - you must be so proud!
oftlof, apparently so, I thought it was worth trying out... I will keep everyone posted on how this turns out... Vida x
I actually hate the shop I buy mine from, so Im not going to name them.i will just say this. They are at Prahran Market and they think they are essential/vital (but just sell overpriced food with bad service). You know the one...They sell beautiful vanilla in 100grams packs. X
Paul, I do recognise the bad service, overpriced part definately... you make me laugh!! I think I mentioned them and their overpricing in my Iranian Fairy Floss post... They are walking distance from home and certainly have a lot of what I want and need so sometimes I do sell my soul... Vida x
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