Has anybody made their own...?!
Answers: vanilla?? I see a kit to make it in the "Chinaberry" catalog. Just wondered about others experience!
Its super easy. If you're having problems finding beans, go here www.penzeys.com You can also find them at stores like World Market and Whole Paycheck (whole foods :). Split the beans, with a very sharp knife or razor blade, and open them up on the board. Using a spoon, scrape the insides out. You can use the seeds as they are for ice cream and many other things as well. If you'd like to make extract, you'll need a solvent such as vodka or ever clear. I recommend the latter as it has no flavor of its own. Just put the insides of the beans into 3 oz of the liquor and let it sit for a few days. You can adjust the strength of the extract by varying the ammount of beans you put in. Strain it before using, if you prefer.
Finally, put the outside skin of the beans in your sugar bowl. This will flavor the sugar, and is excellent in coffee.
Cheers!
P.S. You may use this method to extract any type of aromatic such as mint, orange zest etc...
I always see these cooks on tv using fresh vanilla beans. But I'll be damned if I can ever find them at a store. So I thought about growing some, indoors, but then I found out that it takes like 3 years before the beans develop. I think there would be a massive market for these beans where I live.
I don't know how you would make it, I'll have to see if I can find the link to this kit you mention. Otherwise, I'm using alcohol laced extract :)
i have never tryed it but i have a recipe for homemade vanilla that gos like this one cup volka
3 or 4 vanilla beans soak covered till dark
like i said i've nevered tryed it but it sounds interesting
I collected some blood from fish when I did fishing and I mixed tht with milk, it was good
You should be able to purhase vanilla beans in the spice/baking department of any large supermarket.
Here's how to make your own vanilla:
Split vanilla bean lengthwise with a sharp knife.
Place in jar with 3/4 cup vodka. (You may also use Brandy or Rum. )
Be sure bean is completely covered with vodka.
Seal tightly.
Let stand in a cool, dark place for 4 to 6 months.
Shake jar occasionally during the standing time.
I've not made it, but I get great vanilla from penzeys. They have a double strength vanilla that is out of this world. And for those of you that can't find beans, you can order them in bulk here for a fair price. I have never ever been disappointed with anything ordered from penzeys.
http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p...
you can also get good beans from Pendery's