Vanilla Extract

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about patience and perseverance.  These two traits have often eluded me in life, but as a mother, I am trying to adopt and embrace them more and more, not only for my own sanity, but so that I can be a good role model to my son.  I often think on these two words as I am on my nightly run.  I started to run regularly about 2 ½ months ago and although I feel fantastic, I often find myself expecting and wanting more.  I ask myself, “why can’t I run farther, faster”, “where is my endurance and perseverance”?

Over the last months I have made small strides towards being a better runner, but I always seem to feel let down that I didn’t run 5, 6, 10 miles. 

This last week, I decided to start giving myself a break.  I’m almost 40.  Later this year, I will be 40 YEARS OLD!  I was 16 when my mom turned 40 and my son will only be 2 as I pass into this fourth decade of my life, but I can run.  I can probably outrun many 20 year olds.  I WILL be able to keep up with my son as he grows into a toddler and beyond.  I won’t give up!  It may take me a little longer than it would have 10 or 20 years ago to persevere beyond the 3 mile marker, the 7 mile marker, dare I say, a 10 mile marker, but I will do it.  I have the patience now that I did not have twenty years ago. 

I can run.

That said, in thinking about patience, I began a batch of vanilla extract.  I thought it would be a nice gift to have on hand for Christmas this year (my 40^th Christmas), not to mention, good vanilla extract is EXPENSIVE!  It may take a little time for me to see the fruits of this small labor, but I have the patience.

I can make extract.

Just a quick note, vanilla extract can be made with vodka, rum, or bourbon.  I decided to go with vodka this time around, but I do plan to play around with other alcohol bases in the coming months. You can also use any variety of vanilla bean.  I am using Tahitian and Madagascar beans but there are MANY types out there so experiment and have fun with it.  I plan to make lemon and orange extracts in the coming months as well which I will post as I get to them.

To be unbelievably cliché, patience is a virtue, and good things come to those who wait, sooooo let there be extract!

 

Ingredients and Instructions

1 C. Vodka (I used an 80 Proof Mid-Grade Vodka)
3-4 Vanilla Beans (split down ¾ of the bean with a knife)
Clean Glass Bottle (I am using a dark brown beer-type bottle with swing-top lid)

Pour 1C. of vodka per 3-4 vanilla beans into your clean glass bottle.  Place bottle/bottles into a cool, dry place for 3-6 months shaking the bottle up once every week or two.