Kitchen

[Nonametoday]

On 2/1/2015 PamelaSue72 said:

I've been making my own vanilla now for years. I use Grey Goose vodka for one batch and then I use Wild Turkey for my second batch. 15 vanilla beans for each bottle, split length-wise and scraped well into the liquor. For the first four weeks or so, I turn the bottles once a week by gently rolling them a few times. After that, I just keep the bottles in my cabinet to let everything mingle for about six months or so, getting them out and rolling them once a month. I start in around the beginning of June and don't use any until the end of November.

I really like bourbon vanilla for things like pound cake, vanilla ice cream, bread puddings, and similar foods. It seems to add just a good flavor, between the scent of the vanilla and the scent of the bourbon. For everything else, I use the vodka vanilla.

My MIL will not use any other vanilla but mine. Homemade vanilla is decadent!

And don't forget to make your own vanilla sugar, too!

I use Grey Goose vodka for one batch and then I use Wild Turkey for my second batch. 15 vanilla beans for each bottle, split length-wise and scraped well into the liquor. For the first four weeks or so, I turn the bottles once a week by gently rolling them a few times. After that, I just keep the bottles in my cabinet to let everything mingle for about six months or so, getting them out and rolling them once a month. I start in around the beginning of June and don't use any until the end of November.

(What size Grey Goose Vodka?) and what size Wild Turkey bottle? And do you mean you put the vanilla beans directly into the liquor/vodka bottle? You scrape the bean and put the scrapings and the bean both into the bottle? I understand about gently rolling the bottles as opposed to forceful unnecessary shaking.

[PamelaSue72]

I just buy a fifth of each, vodka and bourbon (I think it's a fifth; the bigger bottles). Slice 15 vanilla beans in half length-wise, scrape the vanilla seeds into the bottle and then throw the 30 halves right into the bottle (you'll have to take out some of the liquor to make room for the beans). I don't shake; I gently roll the bottle in my hands.

I let the bottles in the dark cabinet. I don't put the vanilla into the smaller bottles until I think it's ready, which is usually in about six months for me. I also put two halves of a scraped vanilla bean into each smaller bottle before pouring in the vanilla.

I buy my smaller brown bottles from: http://www.specialtybottle.com/ .

I buy my vanilla beans from vanillaproducts on ebay. I prefer the Tahitian beans over Madagascar beans, but that's just me. And I like Grade B beans, but again, that's IMO.

[Nightowlz]

I have never made any vanilla. I always buy mine from Penzey's. I should try this. I could give some to friends & family that like to cook.

[NiteStar]

I am sure it's wonderful, but waaaaay too much trouble for me to even think about making! I buy 2 or 3 large bottles of pure vanilla when I'm in Mexico.

[HonnyBrown]

On 2/2/2015 brii said:

I've always wanted to try that.

I make vanilla sugar and it's wonderful.

brii, how do you make your vanilla sugar? I used to put whole beans in the sugar jar. Now, I just buy it from Penzey's.

[HonnyBrown]

Dusty, thank you for sharing your recipe! Your kitchen must smell so good!

After you split the beans and remove the caviar, do you also use the shell?

[Dusty1]

On 2/2/2015 HonnyBrown said:

Dusty, thank you for sharing your recipe! Your kitchen must smell so good!

After you split the beans and remove the caviar, do you also use the shell?

I do. I put the caviar & the beans, cut into pieces if the bottle is short, so that all beans are covered with the Vodka. You can strain out the beans when it's done, if you want to. Someone in one of the recipes said they bought a metal coffee filter at Walmart, so it didn't absorb any of the extract when they drained it, but you can use a regular coffee filter. Or not strain it at all.

I did buy a small bottle of Bourbon today 375ml (1.5 C) & I am going to make a bottle of Extract with Bourbon. It may be nasty, but I have to try it.

[HonnyBrown]

Thanks Dusty! And good luck with the bourbon!

[Snicks1]

I leave the beans in the original bottle of vodka that I started with and then when that bottle was gone I added them with more fresh beans when I started my 2nd bottle. I also just use the vodka bottle to pour from in my own kitchen, but did buy small brown bottles to give out to friends and family.

[Dusty1]

On 2/2/2015 snickster said:

I leave the beans in the original bottle of vodka that I started with and then when that bottle was gone I added them with more fresh beans when I started my 2nd bottle. I also just use the vodka bottle to pour from in my own kitchen, but did buy small brown bottles to give out to friends and family.

What ratio of beans to vodka do you use? I used 30 beans for each 1.75 liter bottle of Vodka. I just split it up, so I could go ahead & pass them out.