HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT, BOURBON VANILLA EXTRACT & MONTHLY GIVEAWAY!

MONTHLY GIVEAWAY!

I have started a Monthly Giveaway. I will be drawing names from
followers that comment. The drawings will be on the 1st of each month!

Sending a bunch of Prim Dried Carrots with some Dried Grass to a lucky FOLLOWER that has commented during February!
These will be perfect for your Spring Decor. Remember each new posting you comment on, will be another chance for you to win the Prim Dried Carrots & Dried Grass



HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT

Why make your own vanilla extract? Well let's see. It's easy to make. You'll never run out of vanilla again. It might even be economical, given that you'll never run out of it. It's fun to watch the extract change colors? I don't know. Sometimes we just make things for the heck of it and it makes wonderful gifts any time of the year.

INGREDIENTS:

3 medium vanilla beans, or 1 1/2 fat ones
1 cup rum or vodka

DIRECTIONS:

Have ready a 1-cup glass jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Pour boiling water into it, let rest for 10 minutes to sterilize, and pour out the water.
Using a sharp knife, slice the beans open lengthwise to expose the seeds. Tuck the beans in the jar and fill with liquor. Close the jar, shake it a few times, and place it in a cool, dark cabinet.
Let the jar rest in there for 8 weeks, shaking it again once or twice a week, or whenever you remember to. The mixture will get darker and darker over time.
You can start using your extract by the end of the eighth week. Use however much you need, and when you notice that you're running a little low -- that you've used, say, 20% of the extract -- top it off with more liquor (preferably of the same type) and shake again.

I am in the process of making Bourbon Vanilla Extract to give as Christmas presents. Here is the recipe I am using.


BOURBON VANILLA EXTRACT

INSTRUCTIONS:

Things You'll Need:

Fifth of bourbon
Six bourbon vanilla beans
Dark cabinet

DIRECTIONS:

Purchase a fifth of bourbon. Make sure the bottle is bourbon and not whiskey. It doesn't have to be expensive, the cheapest bourbon will do.
Purchase bourbon vanilla beans. These can be found at either your local health food store or online at places like Bulk Foods.
Remove one to two shots of the bourbon from the bottle. Drink these if you so desire.
Use a sharp knife to slip the six vanilla beans in half, exposing the inner fruit and skin. Do this before Step 3 if you drink the two shots.
Drop each bean half into the fifth of bourbon. Put the lid back on the bottle.
Store the bourbon bottle in a dark cabinet for at least 3 months. The longer it sits, the more vanilla taste the bourbon will have.
I bought my Vanilla Beans from Top Vanilla