Make your own Vanilla!

How to make Vanilla

My In-Laws had taken all of their Married children and spouses to Tahiti after they sold their home.  We had a wonderful time.  When it came time to come home. One of my sister in laws had put Tahitian Vanilla Beans, 

that she had purchased in the open market,  

in her bra to smuggle them home! 

I wondered what in the world 
would make her do that......

She was making Vanilla.

I am not going to out her completely,  So
 She who will not be named 
taught me how to make Vanilla.  

I have been making it ever since.

 This makes a wonderful gift.  I find pretty bottles to put my vanilla in and everyone comes to my house for refills. I don't think any member of my family has bought any vanilla in years!

I order my Madagascar Vanilla Beans off the internet.  Love the internet for those things. There are several sights our there selling grade A vanilla beans.   Make sure they are fresh.  If they snap and break when you fold them.  They are too old to use.  They should be plump, slightly oily and 
smell like a little slice of heaven.

When I started this post I was still using Vodka that is 80 proof..  This year I tried Rum, also 80 proof.  I was told it makes a wonderful vanilla and 
They were right!

 Remove any strainer from the bottle.  Be sure to save it and replace it or the lid will not fit properly.

I like to use about 8-10 beans per bottle.

 Cut them in half length wide and 
scrape the goodie out with a knife. 

 Place the vanilla bean scrapings in the bottle.

Cut up the bean into pieces and put into the Vodka or Rum.

 Replace the strainer in the bottle and replace cap.

 

Now.... shake, shake, shake,  

shake, shake, shake

shake your Vodka!

Shake everyday for 1 month for a couple of minutes.

I shake once a week after that.

Store the Vodka on its side in a cool dark location.  This is so the the beans will have more surface area exposed to the beans.

In 6 months the Vanilla will be ready for use.

Now is where the Fun begins!
Most people will tell you to strain your vanilla.
I don't mind the little seeds and bits.  Get a coffee filter and strain the vanilla or not.

Find pretty bottles and fill.  
It makes wonderful gifts.


  

Blackberry Cobbler

The Local Farmers Market had Blackberries on sale this week and My daughter in law has been asking for a cobbler.  If you twist my arm, I will comply. 
(It doesn't take much arm twisting anyways)  
We do enjoy cobblers.  They are much quicker than a pie and very tasty.

Mix together berries, flour, sugar and cinnamon.  Smash with a potato masher.
 Pour in a 9x13 baking pan.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt.

Add butter and milk. Mix together

Spoon batter over the berry mixture.  Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the top of the cobbler.

Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes

Blackberry Cobbler

(recipe by http://twistedflavor.blogspot.com)

6 cups Fresh Blackberries

2/3 to 1 cup sugar (depending on tartness of berries)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 Tbsp flour

Batter

2 cups flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/3 cup butter

1 cup milk

In a bowl combine berries, sugar, cinnamon and flour. Smash berries with a potato masher.  Pour in a 9 x 13 baking pan.  In a separate bowl combine Flour, baking powder and salt.  Add butter and milk.  Once combined, drop spoonfuls into Berrie mixture.  Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake at 425 for 30 minutes.  Serve with Vanilla Ice cream

Enjoy

Love,

Barbara

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