Parent to Parent By Jodie Lynn
Moments for Mom By Elisabeth Corcoran
Ask A Twin Mommy By Cheryl Lage
Mothering By Heart By Cheri Fuller
Jelly Mom By Lisa Barker
Family Check-up By Sheila Wray Gregoire
Simplifying Motherhood By Trish Berg
Making the Most of Marriage By Paula Friedrichsen
Make Your Own Vanilla Extract
By Sandy Sheilds
HomeMade Vanilla Extract tastes much better than store-bought, and it is very easy to make at home.
I have heard that the imitation vanilla that is sold in our supermarkets is nothing more than a by-product from petroleum companies. Instead of being disposed of, it is sold to the food industry for consumption. I do not know if this is true, but it just gives me one more reason to make my own.
Making real vanilla is fun and easy. The only ingredients needed are vanilla beans and alcohol. I have several recipes for making vanilla, and each one calls for a different type of alcohol, and varying amounts of vanilla bean.
For a strong extract, use a high proof of alcohol and scrape the seeds from the bean. For a weaker extract, use a lesser proof of alcohol and soak beans intact.
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Here are a three different methods for making your extract:
1. Place one vanilla bean into a pint of vodka. Shake daily for two weeks.
*Strain if desired, and bottle for storage.
2. Scrape the seeds from three vanilla beans and place them into a bottle of dark rum. Place the
pods in the rum as well. Let sit for three weeks, shaking occasionally.
*Strain if desired, and bottle for storage.
3. Place 1/2 cup vodka or white tequila into small saucepan, and heat until it smokes but isn't
boiling. Break 2 vanilla beans into pieces and place into bottle or jar. Pour the alcohol into
the bottle and cover tightly. Let sit for a week, shaking frequently.
*Strain if desired, and bottle for storage.
*Use a very fine strainer, coffee filter, or paper towel to strain.
HINT:To save money, you can grow your own vanilla orchids and collect the seed pods, or reuse the vanilla bean(s) for another batch of extract.
© Sandy Sheilds, 2002-
Sandy is a freelance writer and webmaster of TheFrugalShopper.com. FREE E-BOOK! Parenting Guide - This e-book, by 4ParentsNetwork and The Frugal Shopper, is chock full of useful tips and information for new parents. This is a quick download and the book includes tips on breastfeeding, tips for making your own babyfood, baby wipes, laundry detergent, as well as financial planning tips, safety tips and more. [Download from Christian-Mommies.com]