Vicki’s Homemade Vanilla Extract
500g organic vanilla beans (buy online here)
750ml vodka (the cheapest you can find)
1 tall and wide glass jar
Find a jar tall enough to put the pods in upright and to allow them to be completely covered with the alcohol.
Also ensure that this jar has a wide enough mouth for you to be able to easily take out the beans….Wanna buy jars? This is where I go for ‘glass jar mecca’
1. Sterilise the jar and lid by running through a very hot dishwasher cycle or by boiling in water for 15mins.
This process is only required once to ensure no nasties from the glass manufacturer or from previously stored food products. Alcohol is a natural sanitizer, so the pods will always remain preserved, ensuring they are always covered by the alcohol.
2. Place beans upright in jar.
3. Add enough vodka to cover beans.
4. Screw lid on tight and store in the fridge to prevent any alcohol evaporation.
5. Your extract is ready to use after 2 weeks.
6. To use the extract, decant into another bottle and top up the beans with more vodka.
7. The beans will always stay moist and fresh. Scrape out the seeds for vanilla bean ice cream and use the pod to flavour sugar, custard or syrups.
The used pod can be rinsed and put back into the jar, if desired.
This will keep for years!
Mine is heading towards its 10 year cycle…it’s now technically vintage or aged!
Good luck!
Comment by Helen Moumas — July 22, 2011 @ 2:44 pm
Hi Vicki, thank you for the tarama recipe
Ordered and received my vanilla beans – double
Aaand found vodka for $20.90 bought 2 bottles and my beans are bottled and on their way to be yummy and swimming in essence. Thank you for the link!
Vodka bought on centre rd next to chicken shop.
Oh and made the yalaktobouriko … Mmmmmm niiiice
My MIL is coming home next week, after being a year away.
Making pittes and galaktobouriko, think I’ll impress her pantofles off!!
Thanks again
Helen
Xx