Vai rolar a festa....: Vanilla and Vodka, part 1

Triple distilled, 5 times distilled, 10 times filtered, 8 times filtered, filtered with potatoes, marshmallow, cake, citrus, raspberry, 80 proof, 70 proof, big bottles, little bottles, clear bottles, colored bottles, stuff in foreign languages! It is totally crazy! I asked a lady walking by but she didn't really know. So I grabbed two bottles and went to the check-out. I told the checker I was making homemade vanilla and what did this mean and that mean, which would be better, etc. He took the bottles, conferred with another checker, came back and said handing me the Smirnoff Vodka, "This one will work just fine. We both agree the other one would be overkill." I said, "Ok, sounds good to me." And thus started my adventure in making homemade vanilla.

I should back up and start from the beginning.....

Bountiful Baskets is a food co-op where you can buy basket loads of fruits and vegetables on Saturday's around the country. In addition to the regular basket there are extras like bread, boxes of fruit and occasionally themed boxes, such as Asian, Tropical, Italian, Mexican, etc.

A week ago I got the Tropical Fruit box as an extra. In the Tropical Fruit box were 2 vanilla beans. Oh, they smelled soooo yummy and I was excited to have them but at a quandary on how to use them. I asked one of the ladies there and she said, "Buy some Vodka and make homemade vanilla." I tried NOT to look at her like she was crazy but I am not sure I succeeded. Good thing I know her! The other option was make vanilla ice cream. Which sounded great but I would have had to add vanilla and we don't have an ice cream maker.

I always thought you had to buy vanilla at the store so I was a little curious about homemade vanilla so I searched online. My friend was right, all the recipes said you could use Vodka, Rum or Brandy but most recommended Vodka since it's clear and has no flavor. Not sure I wanted to use alcohol, I clicked on a link "homemade vanilla without alcohol" and was sorely disappointed when it too directed me to purchase alcohol.

Suddenly Tim burst into the office and said, "It has 35% alcohol in it. Vanilla has alcohol in it." On the back under ingredients it said, "35% alcohol." What?!?! I had no idea. I looked up vanilla online and all have alcohol in them. I started to think maybe I might try to make homemade vanilla.

Since I knew almost nothing about alcohol I asked a few people I know drink for their input. Aside from a brand or two each liked, I didn't learn much except in WA State you have to go to a state liquor store to purchase Vodka. You don't have to here in AZ. I did learn what proof meant but know nothing about what anything else means. I'm ok with that.

So I got home, opened the Vodka and smelled it. It smelled like really strong rubbing alcohol to me. Yuck! I sliced open the vanilla beans and scraped the innards out with a knife. I put them in the bottle and when they were mostly cleaned out, in went the whole bean. I put the lid on and gave the bottle a good shake. I watched it until all the particles had settled on the bottom and opened the bottle to smell it. It smelled like really strong rubbing alcohol still. I had to remind myself it takes awhile for the vanilla flavor and smell to infuse with the alcohol. So 10 minutes later I smelled it again and it smelled faintly like vanilla. By the end of the day, it smelled pretty nice and was starting to turn a brown/yellow color. According to most of the recipes, I have to let it sit for at least 2 months, shaking it everyday before I start to use it. The recipes also said the longer it sits the better it gets. And to use a good Vodka because it can last for 10 years!!! WOW!!!

I must admit though, I felt a little dirty buying it. Even after I found out store bought vanilla is made with alcohol (which is probably why I think it tastes terrible) and I was making vanilla, I still felt a little dirty and nervous. All of you who know me and know I don't drink are probably laughing hysterically at me right now. I never had any desire to even taste it and still don't but still....... I made sure the guy at the store knew I was making homemade vanilla with it and that I don't drink, which is why I needed all the help! I think I said that a couple times because I was so nervous! Anyway, below are some pictures of the start of my adventure. I will be updating pictures as the time progresses.