Experiment time

Last year I had a brilliant idea. I should make my own vanilla extract. It's easy enough, vanilla beans, vodka and time. I can do that. Well, of course I forgot about it until this week. I decided to try it today while my noon rogani rose. All week I had been searching the local grocery stores and online for the best price on beans. Prices ranged from $4 to $8 per bean. And I would have to pay shipping for the $3 beans. Until I remembered the city's Mediterranean food store. I buy my pastry flour there for $.69 a pound! I can't find it that cheap anywhere else. So I stopped there this morning and was able to buy my beans for $2.99 each. So great. Anyways, the process of making the extract is easy enough.

I had a bottle of vodka, 40% alcohol. I guess the higher the alcohol content, the better.

I then cut the beans in half, and then lengthwise and put them into the jar. I used four beans.

In went the vodka, the whole bottle went in which was a little more than three cups (750 ml), then on went the cap.



And now the fun part. Waiting. It will take about a month for the vanilla to turn the vodka a rich amber color and be of use. I'll keep you posted on its progress!