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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

DIY Foodie Gifts: Vanilla Extract

As my own Vanilla Extract supply is diminishing I figured it's about time I made more.  Thought I'd share the recipe with you.  AND...If you're looking for an even more exciting gift, check out Mary's Real Food Cookbook.



I bought these beauties at Amazon!

DIY Vanilla Extract
from Mary's Real Food Cookbook
This will soon be Vanilla Extract!
Ingredients
1 – 750ml bottle of Vodka, rum, or brandy 
(80 proof = 40% alcohol)
12 – vanilla beans

Directions:
Remove approximately 1/2 cup of vodka to make room for the vanilla beans.  Slice each vanilla bean lengthwise along one entire side of the bean.  Place the beans in the vodka bottle, replace the lid, and shake.  

Shake the vanilla once/week to agitate the beans and speed the extraction process.  Your vanilla should be ready in 6-8 weeks.

*Don’t throw away those vanilla beans.*
Reuse them to make more vanilla extract!

When the vanilla is ready I'll bottle them up in something like these:











The Frisky

More exciting recipes Available here:




at

50 comments:

  1. CaroleNovember 28, 2012 at 9:55 PM

    thanks for linking this in Mary. Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  2. Maureen WyattNovember 28, 2012 at 10:39 PM

    I made my own vanilla extract last year and would never go back to store bought!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmNovember 29, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    I have been doing this for about 5 years. It's so much better and so simple to do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithDecember 1, 2012 at 8:48 PM

      I mentioned the recipe to a few of my friends and they just could not believe it was so easy!

      Delete
  4. Kerri FarleyNovember 29, 2012 at 9:06 AM

    That is so cool!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. StephanieNovember 29, 2012 at 9:25 AM

    Great idea for a gift - thanks for sharing :) Have a wonderful day!

    Hugs,
    Stephanie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithDecember 1, 2012 at 8:49 PM

      Thanks Stephanie! Most of the current batch will go as gifts.

      Delete
  6. UnknownNovember 29, 2012 at 11:06 AM

    Hi Mary, I may be very interested in vanilla extract but I would not know what to use it for after I have made it. Is it used in baking such as cookies? Thanks! Esther Norine Designs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithNovember 29, 2012 at 11:14 AM

      Esther, you can use it in any recipe that calls for vanilla extract. Baking or even eggnog

      Delete
  7. What's for dessert?November 29, 2012 at 11:26 AM

    Hi Mary, I'm your new follower and you have a lovely blog. Looking forward to reading your recipes.
    You can visit my blog at http://cake-cookie-pie.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithDecember 1, 2012 at 8:50 PM

      Thanks! Following back and have a great weekend!

      Delete
  8. Our Neck of the WoodsNovember 29, 2012 at 11:57 AM

    I've been really wanting to try this out! It's on my list but I haven't gotten to it just yet :) Great Christmas presents!

    Visiting from Thursday Favorite Things :)

    Tammy
    ourneckofthewoods.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithDecember 1, 2012 at 8:51 PM

      Even though it takes a few weeks until it's ready, the color is amazing after only 3 days! Great gift idea!

      Delete
  9. AmyNovember 29, 2012 at 2:17 PM

    Love this idea. Found you over at Grow your Blog. I'm your newest follower. You can find me at http://crispyshipley.com

    Also I'm going to have a good time looking through your archives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithDecember 1, 2012 at 8:53 PM

      Very cool blog! Following back!
      Also, I'm hosting a giveaway of you're interested
      http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2012/11/2013-heirloom-seed-announcement-and.html

      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  10. CaroleNovember 29, 2012 at 8:28 PM

    thanks for linking this in again Mary. Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  11. Danni@SiloHillFarmNovember 29, 2012 at 9:26 PM

    Yum! I've never made vanilla, but I've made vanilla sugar. Now I need to try this! Thank you for posting it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithDecember 1, 2012 at 8:53 PM

      Vanilla sugar is amazing! Definitely try the vanilla!
      Also, my giveaway ends Dec 4th!
      http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2012/11/2013-heirloom-seed-announcement-and.html

      Delete
  12. Katherines CornerNovember 29, 2012 at 9:46 PM

    This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Hop. xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. What Marty SeesNovember 30, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    We had a friend that did this for us last year as a Christmas gift and we love it! She left a couple of bean pods in our bottle so that we can add more vodka when we run out. I've replenished once and it tasted just as good as the first batch that she gave us. Part of the charm is the bottle I think :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithDecember 1, 2012 at 8:54 PM

      I'm definitely looking for just the right bottle! Thanks Marty!

      Delete
  14. HeidiNovember 30, 2012 at 12:40 PM

    What a very cool idea! I had never heard of this but a friend just gave me some real vanilla extract this week. Nice to know I can reuse the vanilla :)

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Winelady CooksNovember 30, 2012 at 1:23 PM

    I always omit the vanilla in a recipe because the commercial stuff tastes awful. BUT, I will have to try this recipe.

    Thanks so much for the recipe and linking at Foodie Friends Friday

    Joanne/Winelady Cooks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithDecember 1, 2012 at 8:58 PM

      If it's labeled artificial vanilla it has some NASTY ingredients in it! You can read it here:
      http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2012/08/6-ingredients-you-may-not-want-in-your.html

      Thanks for stopping by Joanne!

      Delete
  16. Lisette @ Northern Belle DiariesNovember 30, 2012 at 1:58 PM

    This is something I want to do as a Christmas gift. Stopping by from the blog hop! New follower on GFC.

    Lisette
    http://northernbellediaries.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithDecember 1, 2012 at 8:59 PM

      Thanks Lisette! Following back. These are great Christmas gifts. I'm hosting a giveaway for Christmas here:
      http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2012/11/2013-heirloom-seed-announcement-and.html

      Delete
  17. Claire JustineNovember 30, 2012 at 3:36 PM

    need to try this thanks :) thanks for sharing with us at welcome to the weekend hop....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithDecember 1, 2012 at 9:01 PM

      Thanks for stopping by! The Vanilla is delicious!

      Delete
  18. PaulaNovember 30, 2012 at 6:17 PM

    I've wanted to make my own vanilla for Christmas gifts the last two years, but forgot in time to do so. There's always next year :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithDecember 1, 2012 at 9:00 PM

      Paula, there is still time! The color is amazing after only 3 days. You could easily make a smaller recipe with 1 or 2 vanilla beans in a smaller bottle. It's definitely worth it!

      Delete
  19. mail4roseyNovember 30, 2012 at 7:34 PM

    I like the way they look in the bottles!

    Visiting again today from the No Rules Weekend Blog Party.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithDecember 1, 2012 at 9:01 PM

      Thank you for stopping by! Don't forget to enter my Christmas stocking giveaway here:
      http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2012/11/2013-heirloom-seed-announcement-and.html

      Delete
  20. UnknownNovember 30, 2012 at 10:52 PM

    I've always threatened to do this, but I never have. I must do so! I am hosting a great giveaway on Dining With Debbie. (1) $50 gift certificate to my favorite jeweler robinsonlane.com and (2) a signed copy of Arkansas Pie: A Slice of the Natural State written by fellow blogger, Kat Robinson. I would love for you to come enter Merry Merry Munchies and the rafflecopter entry. I think you would enjoy either one of these prizes. http://diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com/2012/11/2012-merry-merry-munchies-3-baked.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary SmithDecember 1, 2012 at 9:01 PM

      Thanks Debbie!

      Delete
    2. DiningWithDebbieDecember 2, 2012 at 12:55 PM

      Thank you for linking up. I think you have convinced all of us to make our own vanilla extract:)

      Delete
  21. Cindy's Recipes and WritingsDecember 1, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    A very useful recipe! :)
    Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday! Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  22. Nicole FlotheDecember 1, 2012 at 9:30 PM

    Hi Mary:) One of my friends that works at whole foods explained to me how to make my own vanilla extract. It is amazing how easy it is with a little patience. I have yet to make my own but will someday! Love your website, just found you through Sincerely, Paula's Weekend Blog Hop. Followed you on Bloglovin and look forward to getting your posts. xoxo Nicole from www.heartbeatcompanies.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownDecember 2, 2012 at 7:37 AM

    Such a great gift idea. I love using my homemade vanilla, is smells so good. Thanks for sharing on Super Sweet Saturday.
    Steph
    swtboutique.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. www.randomthoughtsdoordi.comDecember 2, 2012 at 10:40 AM

    my vanilla has been in the bottle for a year and it still tastes too much like vanilla flavored vodke. Any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  25. NikkiDecember 2, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    I'd love to get this for christmas. I use vanilla a lot when i bake & this would be perfect! I'm stopping by from the weekend blog hop, and im a new follower via Bloglovin. i hope your having a great weekend!

    Nikki
    www.thecraftysideofsarcasm.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. LmkazmierczakDecember 2, 2012 at 9:34 PM

    Bear With Me....Cool♫

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownDecember 3, 2012 at 3:46 PM

    Wow this is so easy. I never would have guessed. Thank you for sharing at my Our Favorite Things Link Party.

    ReplyDelete
  28. TheresaDecember 3, 2012 at 9:59 PM

    This is awesome I thought you might have to make them in the smaller bottles, but this makes it perfect to try! Thanks for sharing how you do it. Visiting from DearCreatives.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownDecember 3, 2012 at 10:30 PM

    I've been wanting to make my own vanilla (I already have the beans). This post is reminding me to get on the stick and make some! Thanks for sharing on the homemade holiday party.

    Marilyn
    4you-withlove.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. JessicaDecember 7, 2012 at 2:49 PM

    Thanks for the tutorial, and thanks for sharing at Sweet Saturday!!

    ReplyDelete

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Have an awesome day!
-Mary