
LAURA LEE ALICE
COOKS
®
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Homemade Vanilla
The vanilla bean is the seed of an orchid and goes through several different
processes before we receive it, beginning with hand-pollination. I started
making my vanilla potion a few years ago and have continued to this day.
Most of the time I use vodka as my base to make my vanilla but brandy
also makes a beautiful vanilla product.
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The secret to making a great vanilla extract is the seeds, and exposing them
to the alcohol base. You do this by chopping the vanilla beans into ½-inch
pieces and mixing them with the alcohol base, sealing the container and
letting it set in a dark place.
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Homemade Vanilla
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Ingredients
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• Vanilla beans (6 per cup of liquor) click here for beans
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• Liquor (at least 80 proof of vodka), brandy or bourbon
• Jar with a tight sealing lid, size depends on the amount you're making.
I like using these.
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Instructions
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1. Slit each vanilla bean lengthwise, then cut into 2-inch pieces. This exposes
more bean (and seeds) to the liquor.
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2. Add liquor and beans to the container. Seal, then shake a few times. I try to
shake every day but I usually end up shaking the container when I see or
remember it. Store it in a cabinet where it's dark.
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3. You can start using it in about 3 months. It truly gets better as it ages. After
a couple of uses, top it off with more liquor. Not too much, a little at a time
and don't remove the beans.
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Options
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• For gift-giving, strain the vanilla (save the beans) into a nice bottle (here)
and add 1 whole vanilla bean. The bean can be cut in half if need be.
Always keep the beans submerged, whether making or gifting the vanilla.
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• Vanilla will last almost indefinitely, especially if it has been strained.
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• Brandy with vanilla beans makes a wonderful liqueur.
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Tips
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• Never use plastic to store vanilla, ever!
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• Don't worry about the teeny tiny vanilla seeds if they are left in the vanilla;
that is where most of the flavor comes from.
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KEYWORDS
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homemade vanilla, best homemade vanilla
