What are you canning now?

[Dragonfly Ranch]

Kim_NC the recipe calls for vodka - if I remember correctly it was 3/4 cup vodka to 1 vanilla bean. I recently purchased about 30 vanilla beans at Costco when they were closing them out for 10 beans for $10.00. I make French Vanilla Ice Cream all the time so wanted them for that.

But with that said about the Vodka - some of my more expensive Vanilla that I have ordered from spice houses is a Bourbon based. Anyone heard of using Bourbon instead of Vodka?

I do the vanilla sugar thing too.

Sandee

 

[insiderart]

I think it was vodka or PGA. I may have decided to use the higher alcohol content for some reason, which escapes me now. I make all kinds of um.. "concoctions". But I really did enjoy the vanilla extract. Super easy. I've seen a couple different recipes for it. But I just sliced the beans, scraped them and put the whole mess in the alcohol. Shook it every once in a while and kept it in my spice cabinet.

Commercial vanilla is made essentially the same way except I think they macerate the bean. Also they add caramel coloring.

Wow you scored at Costco!!!

 

[ozark hen]

I got my vanilla beans (yes, I make my own vanilla extract too and I fill the bottle with vodka , you can use bourbon, and put in about 6-7 vanilla beans and I store mine on a dark shelf in the basement for four months and shake it once a week.) it is awesome.
I got the beans from The Organic Vanilla Bean Co. ...ten 8 inch long beans for five dollars and fifty cents. They have the fresh REAL beans and they have awesome deals. I found the link to it on byc but do a google search and you will find it. Delivery is very fast, too.
I make vanilla sugar, also. You know what they say about great minds...................... LOL
Here is the link to it:
http://www.organic-vanilla.com/servlet/StoreFront

 

[Kim_NC]

Thanks Ozark Hen - I'm going shopping for vanilla beans!

I dug out the recipes I had found. They include lemon and orange extracts...and vanilla extract made with vodka or brandy.

Hmmmm...soooOOooo maybe I'll try all the vanilla variations...bourbon, vodka and brandy! Can you drink vanilla extract? LOL

Vanilla Extract
1 liter inexpensive vodka
4 vanilla beans

Split beans lengthwise and drop into vodka. Close cap tightly and let sit in a dark, cool place for 3-4 months. Pour into dark glass bottles and add a cute homemade label to each bottle. Give as gifts and wait for the "ohhhs and ahhhhs".

Lemon Extract
1 lemon
1/2 cup vodka
1/4 cup water

Thinly peel lemon with a vegetable peeler taking care not to include any pith. Dice the peel (about 2 Tbsp) and combine it with vodka and water.

Orange Extract
1/2 navel orange
1/4 cup vodka
1/2 cup water

Thinly peel 1/2 navel orange with a vegetable peeler taking care not to include any pith and cut the peel into chunks (about 1 1/2 Tbsp). Combine with vodka and water.

Vanilla Extract
2 vanilla beans, cut in half lengthwise and then chopped
1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup water

Combine ingredients in a 1/2-pint Mason jar and set aside to steep for at least 3 days.

 

[insiderart]

Quote:
Holy moly now that's a deal!

 

[ozark hen]

I remember that I ordered these beans on line on a Monday and I had my order by Thurs of that same week as I wrote them and told them how impressed I was with them. I made a bottle for one of my daughters and she was thrilled. I read where one person has used the same bottle for years, she just added more vodka as it was used. I haven't bought vanilla since I made this last year. I add more booze to it to keep my vanilla beans soaking in it. It smells wonderful. I am making some up next month to use as Christmas gifts. I just need to find some bottles. I keep mine on the counter but behind my canisters to keep it out of the light as I do my olive oils. The more beans you use the richer the extract and I do split my beans before putting them into the bottles.

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

Quote:
Not fair - now I have to order some!

I think I'll save the Costco beans for ice cream and order the sampler package for the vanilla extract. I like the idea for Christmas present too. I'm going to Google for glass bottles and order some amber colored to help with storage.

Thank for the cool update!

Sandee

 

[marymac]

I hope I'm putting this in the right forum. I have been wondering if any of you canners have ever canned pickled eggs? I know you can buy them canned. I go to a Amish market and they have several types there. I did a search on Google and found some interesting info. Seems it is not recomended, BUT you can do it. i even found this website that goes into detail....http://kuntzfamily.com/recipes/pickled_eggs.shtml I just wondered if anyone here has ever done it and what they thought about the eggs after they were canned. I have never tried them before. Hey it would be something to do with all the extra eggs we might get , right?

 

[marymac]

Quote:
I think that would be so nice to be able to go to your basement and pick up a jar of different spiced pickled eggs whenever i would get a craving for them. usually I don't have any made when I want them[ like now!!] and this would be so nice. i hope someone has done it and can tell me if they are good or not.

 

[GPN]

I know momma has done them (pickled eggs)but we did not seal them and left the in the fridge till they were to be eaten!! I will have to ask her about it in a bit! I don't like'em but they looked pretty!