The results of the vanilla extract experiment
(Got a white edding pen & wrote direct on the bottles instead of sticking paper labels!)
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Hello, hows things? Hope life is treating you sweet.
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Thought I’d let you know of how my homemade vanilla extract turned out after the 5 week+ of brewing. - As you know, I made 3 samples - with vodka, rum & brandy - & I can say that the best one was… drum-roll please… with Vodka!! Ta-da〜!
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The clear vodka now coloured rich auburn brown, has the most heady scent of vanilla. Bliss. It’s a “happy-moment”. You know that the vanilla has been fully extracted. It has a slightly syrupy density, & when you shake the bottle then pour, you’d get loads of specks of vanilla beans. Gorgeous.
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The other two, the rum & the brandy versions, well, forget ‘em really… The distinct flavour of the alcohol drowned the delicate vanilla scent. Quite disappointing & pointless. Despite this, I think I’ll use the rum for making “rum-soaked raisin chocolate truffles” that I used to make for the market sometime ago. Just chop raisins up & soak them in rum overnight before mixing it into ganache with some of the rum liquid you used to soak with. Slightly boozy & definately heavenly.
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As for the brandy version, well…, if anyone has a good idea on how to use that up, please let me know!
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- Since the last time I posted on this blog, I’ve been busy with perfecting my triple lemon drizzle cake, like changing ingredients here & there. I’ve made it 6 times now, & finally “got it right”. It’s soooo amazingly tasty, I’m thinking of adding it to the stall cake-line-up come from this September. I’m now in a process of writing about it for this blog, which is taking ages, because I want to explain about why it uses sour cream, etc…
- I also made a “3-tier wedding cake with chocolate swirly sticks” for my best friend recently, which I will also post about in the near future if & when the wedding photographer gives me some nice pictures of it.
- SO, ’til the next time, see y’all! ^^
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Mmm, you’ve got my mouth watering, between the vanilla and the lemon cake and the wedding cake! I look forward to your upcoming posts, knowing how carefully written and explained they will be (but no pressure, I’m also happy just to look at pictures!)
Comment by Astrid - July 18, 2008 2:01 pm
I swear I read your whole entry but my mind went a bit blank and my tummy rumbles took over upon reading the words “rum-soaked raisin chocolate truffles”…….. 8D
YUMMMMMMMMMM
Comment by Jan - July 18, 2008 5:45 pm
Oooh, they look gorgeous (even if only one of them actually tastes gorgeous - thanks for saving the rest of us from having to experiment)!
Brandy ideas… these are all autumn/winter ideas, but you could use it in a dessert of roasted plums (I have a fab recipe I could send you if you like). Or brandied oranges… or even marmalade. Hope that helps! x
Comment by Rachel - July 18, 2008 6:02 pm
Hi Astrid!
cheers - I’m hoping to post about the lemon cake real soon - hopefully next week - hopefully as good as your writing. Hope to hear from you next time!
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How you doin’ Jan,
when I start working from this September, I’ll promise I’ll make the rum-raisin truffles for your visit! ^^
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And dear Rachel,
so you roast the plums/ oranges in brandy?? Wow! Never would have thought of that. If you could email me the recipe, that’ll be cool! xx
Comment by tamami - July 18, 2008 8:44 pm
hey Tamami,
hoping to be in london 1st week of August. spoke to zita today maybe we could meet up at H woods.
hope you are well . ps vanilla looks great.
Comment by nikki - July 22, 2008 7:55 pm
O.m.g! Hello there Nikki! It’s fantastic to hear from you! I’m gonna write an email to you straight away!
t xxx
Comment by tamami - July 22, 2008 8:33 pm
Hi Tamami,
Great post! May I use a little thumbnail of the image when I link to it?
Looks great.
Comment by ian - July 24, 2008 8:08 am
Hello Ian, sure please do use the image. many thanks for the great recipe!
Comment by Tamami - July 24, 2008 9:16 am
Tamami, thank you so much for reporting on your vanilla extract experiment. And your writing and doodles are just ADORABLE.
Ok so now, I have triple lemon drizzle cake in mind. And totally need the recipe. Pretty pretty please!
xx fanny
Comment by fanny - July 24, 2008 9:38 am
Hi Tamamai
Love your blog! Everything looks amazing!
Jules
Comment by julian - July 24, 2008 1:04 pm
Cheers Fanny!
I find YOUR website adorable! xx
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And hi Jules!
I’m so happy you checked this blog out! Hope to c u around in the summer hol. Give me a shout if you’re going to a nearby park, etc. We’re pretty much free all of the holiday…!
Comment by Tamami - July 24, 2008 10:35 pm