Homemade Vanilla Extract

[Dermot]

This thread is a companion to my chocolate chip cookies thread.  I'm posting it here in the mature board because it involves handling alcohol, something I wouldn't let young people do. :3

I mentioned how I have a friend from Spain who couldn't find quick oats, so he used crushed cornflakes, right?  Well, he also couldn't find vanilla extract in his country.  It's fairly common in Latin America, but nonexistent in countries like Spain, where actual vanilla beans are always preferred in cooking.

A simple solution is to split open a vanilla bean, and scrape its seeds into the recipe.  I have never tested this, and I don't know what's too much or too little.

But if you want to make homemade vanilla extract, that's actually pretty easy - it just takes a long time.  You start by splitting open a few vanilla beans, but don't scrape out the seeds or anything.  Put them in a sealable jar with a tight-fitting air-tight lid.  Then (and this is why this is on the mature board), cover the beans completely in cooking sherry, vodka, or a similar liquid suitable for the kitchen.  Seal the jar, and put it in a cool, dark place out of the sunlight.  Remember to keep all containers of alcoholic liquid away from children.

The liquid gradually absorbs (and preserves) the vanilla flavors, and becomes darker and richer with age - this is what vanilla extract is, and also why vanilla extract is so high in alcohol.  Every now and then, give the jar a good shake.  If you use some of the vanilla extract liquid, it can be topped off with more of the same sherry or vodka you used.

Though all vanilla extract is technically alcoholic, only small amounts are used in most recipes.  Also, the alcohol burns off if you cook it, which is just perfect for chocolate chip cookies.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

righteous, man! thanks!

[Asper Sarnoff]

When I first spotted the thread title, I actually wondered if you had turned mad since you deemed vanillia extract to be fit only for a mature audience.

Then, this explains it.

This thread is a companion to my chocolate chip cookies thread.  I'm posting it here in the mature board because it involves handling alcohol, something I wouldn't let young people do. :3

[Dermot]

When I first spotted the thread title, I actually wondered if you had turned mad since you deemed vanillia extract to be fit only for a mature audience.

Then, this explains it.

Remember never to drink from the jar.  This is for recipes, and it takes a long time to make more. :lol:

[Asper Sarnoff]

Remember never to drink from the jar.  This is for recipes, and it takes a long time to make more.

I'm a teetotaler, apart from with mead, which I do like the odd taste of.

[Dermot]

I briefly considered asking if anyone's made this yet, but:

[list type=decimal]

[*]Most of you can get vanilla extract at any grocery store, and don't have the sense of adventure in the kitchen that I have.

[*]It takes months to prepare.

[Asper Sarnoff]

I briefly considered asking if anyone's made this yet, but:

[list type=decimal]

[*]Most of you can get vanilla extract at any grocery store, and don't have the sense of adventure in the kitchen that I have.

[*]It takes months to prepare.

Not really. What we do instead is that we put spare vanilla beans(usually after making Panacotta, delicious! :3) into a jar with confectioner's sugar. After a while, you get homemade vanilla sugar.

[Dermot]

Not really. What we do instead is that we put spare vanilla beans(usually after making Panacotta, delicious! :3) into a jar with confectioner's sugar. After a while, you get homemade vanilla sugar.

Sounds yummy! :9

BTW, I'm a teetotaler too.  I don't drink at all.  But I love recipes. :9