I have pretty simple “happy” indicators.
A bowl of lavender, an unread book, a good cup
of tea, a visit from loved ones, and a handful of
vanilla beans- add them together and I have had
a great month!
Meredith is my vanilla bean supplier. She knows my
happiness level rises pretty high when I have vanilla
at hand- and last week I got a shipment of beans- I AM
SO RICH!!!
Tahitian, Madagascar,Ugandan, Indian, Mexican- so many exotic beans!
I decided to make some vanilla right away with the Mexican beans- they
are smoky and spicy with just a hint of cinnamon.
I sealed up the rest of the beans in a glass container- they are vacuum packed-
and still soft in their packages, but vanilla beans dry out quickly, and keep better
in glass jars. DON’T buy dried out hard beans at a cooking store. If they aren’t soft
then the beans are pretty useless as the seeds are dried out and can’t be scraped
out!
I had a small bottle of vodka- I like Grey Goose for distilling the
beans- but it is a matter of personal taste.
I removed 5 beans from the package and slit them lengthwise to open
the bean and release the seeds.
Drop them into the vodka and shake gently for a few seconds.
I cut the label from the bean package since I already have a vanilla and
wanted to keep this one with just the Mexican beans.
This is my working vanilla- I used Belvedere vodka and it is pretty smooth-
there are several varieties of beans in this extract- I like it for regular baking.
This is several years old- look how dark it is!
And here is my latest- still not ready to use- but look how dark it got in
just a couple of weeks! This is just a small bottle and I added a lot of
beans for the amount of vodka.
But I really like making my own extract- it tastes better-there are no artificial
coloring or flavors- and I get to play with vanilla beans! Plus, and this is a big
PLUS, it tastes better!
Your vanilla is looking pretty good! I like homemade vanilla better than store bought. You notice the vanilla flavor more in the homemade. I need to put some more vanilla beans in mine. I like to think it make better baked goods.
I do think it makes better baked goods- and I like the making of it! 🙂 I still like making potions and perfumes and vanilla and lavender wands!!!!
Isn’t Meredith a wonderful generous soul! I’ve made my own vanilla for years – in the exact same way you do – and I don’t think I could ever go back to bought stuff. I always keep a large stash of vanilla beans as well, and like you, it makes me feel RICH! 🙂 xx
You know, Celia, when I first came to your blog, I saw that you made your own vanilla on one of your recipes. I’ve been making vanilla for years, too, and I figured you had a real love for authentic flavor and decided to come back and become a follower. Homemade vanilla is a very good indicator of a great chef, in my opinion.
And yes, Meredith is very generous, loving and loyal- she fills my pantry with goodies from every where she lives or visits!
I’m not sure I could imagine my kitchen without vanilla? All those cakes and biscuits…vanilla-less, imagine!
Lucky you, and lovely Meredith for all those fantastic different vanilla pods 🙂
That’s exactly how I feel, Brydie!
Vanilla is so essential to baking. And making my own makes the most sense because I am convinced it is much better.
And Meredith is a total sweetheart- and she enables my best habits!
Hi Heidi, that is a lot of vanilla you have there. You are very lucky indeed.
Thanks, Glenda-
I think so too! I haven’t put up my IMK post yet- cause I’m going fishin’ with my niece and grandson!
Yeah I make my own vanilla too but unfortunately I end up have give it way before I use it all up because I move every 2-3 years. So it is nice to see your real dark bottle that is several years old. I have already had several offers from some friends in Canberra who love to cook to take the vanilla and my other spices off my hands when I leave and I’m still here another year. Love the post
My benefactor!!!
You are the spice and vanilla bean QUEEN!
Your generosity has made many people all over the globe so happy!
Love you!!!