Longlasting Vanilla Extract and Other Extracts, Too

I can not believe that I wrote about making homemade vanilla extract four years ago while living in Paradise, (aka the Florida Keys). 



Vanilla Extract

Ingredients 

• 1 glass bottle Vodka (750ml-80proof)  
• 12 vanilla beans
• That's it- no strange and unusual ingredients needed to make this wonderful extract.

Directions

1. Remove about 1/2 cup of the vodka from the bottle
2. Place cut vanilla beans in the bottle . Most recipes call for using a knife to open the vanilla pods, I use my kitchen shears and just cut the pods into one inch pieces and then add another little snip up the side. ( I have found this method quicker for me.)
3. Give the bottle a shake -put the lid on tightly  first 
4. Store in a dark place, shaking when you think about it for at least 6 to twelve weeks



The vanilla extract is aging wonderfully, a great addition to homemade milks as well as in baking.



  There is nothing like using a homemade extract in a recipe. I think it is so much safer than many of the commercial extracts that contain unhealthy additives; and it is really easy to make extracts, just use a good quality of vodka (for neutral flavor) and herbal leaves, beans, peels.  I have made many fruit extracts but never chocolate so I thought I would make some today so it will be ready by Easter.



Chocolate Extract

Ingredients

• 1 cup Vodka
• 1/8 cup Cacao powder
• 1/8 cup Cacao nibs

1.  Place all ingredients in a clean glass jar and mix well.
2. Leave in a cool, dark cabinet for 6 weeks (shaking jar often).
3. Strain to remove Cacao.



 

 



It took me more time to clean up the mess I made opening the Cacao powder then to make the extract.