Making Vanilla Extract

[Entlie]

I was watching the Barefoot Contessa on television the other day and she made vanilla extract with vanilla beans and vodka. I haven't tried this while cruising but it sounds interesting - just wondering if any of you have tried it.

Entlie
Sailing Catamaran Sunspot Baby

[Knowazark]

I haven't done it while cruising but a couple of years ago I made vanilla extract at home. It really is quite simple. The hardest part is finding suitable small bottles with sealing lids that won't allow the vodka to just evaporate.

Pack some vanilla pods in the small bottle, add vodka, allow time for colour, smell and flavour to develop. Remember you're making vanilla extract, not vanilla flavoured vodka, so put plenty of vanilla in and use a small amount of vodka (as opposed to dropping a pod in a standard bottle of vodka - which is also pretty good )

[JRM]

Originally Posted by Knowazark

I haven't done it while cruising but a couple of years ago I made vanilla extract at home. It really is quite simple. The hardest part is finding suitable small bottles with sealing lids that won't allow the vodka to just evaporate.

Pack some vanilla pods in the small bottle, add vodka, allow time for colour, smell and flavour to develop. Remember you're making vanilla extract, not vanilla flavoured vodka, so put plenty of vanilla in and use a small amount of vodka (as opposed to dropping a pod in a standard bottle of vodka - which is also pretty good )

Heh. Put in *more* vodka. We used to make "field kahlua" when I was a poor geology student out in the desert. Take the leftover coffee, some (lots) of vodka, and a couple of split vanilla beans (always wondered where those magically appeared from), and sugar, put in big mason jars, and leave in the sun for a few days. Drink around the fire at night. How we never off'ed ourselves with salmonella or botulism still escapes me (must have been the antiseptic effect of all the consumed alcohol counteracting whatever it was we ate).

I haven't had it in years, but memory serves that it was great. Of course, it was university, and we did also drink whatever beer was the cheapest in the rack, so my memory may not be so trustworthy.

JRM

[Greg4cocokai]

We have a 6oz bottle with 6-8 beans we bought 5 yrs ago in Central America. When it gets down to 1/2 full, just top off with vodka. We've also seen beans in the Solomons and PNG. Good stuff!!

[Mr. Fixit]

I make my own all the time--i use pint mason jars, try splitting the beans the long way, then cut in small pieces--burbon beans are supposed to be the best--i dont know if that is true, that is the only kind i use. i get them from bulkfoods.com

[Entlie]

Thanks for all the info! I'm going to try a 1/2 pint mason jar with a screw on lid - have extra vanilla beans on hand from an ice cream making project earlier this summer. The Barefoot Contessa says you can fish the vanilla seeds out of the extract and use them for other delicious applications - although I do like the idea of just adding more vodka as the level declines, at least once that should work.

Entlie
Sailing Catamaran Sunspot Baby

[spostamento nobile]

Even though its not extract, 1/2 dozen split beans in 151 for a week makes some great sundowners.

[Sailagain]

Originally Posted by Entlie

I was watching the Barefoot Contessa on television the other day and she made vanilla extract with vanilla beans and vodka. I haven't tried this while cruising but it sounds interesting - just wondering if any of you have tried it.

Entlie
Sailing Catamaran Sunspot Baby

Yes I have done it. Works great.