Vodka Repurposed!

Vodka runs through the veins of every Russian, thicker than blood.  Stacked on shelves in the supermarket, on the counter in bars and on the table in homes - it's everywhere.  I really have no desire to try a shot of the stuff.  I'm sure it would burn the whole way down leaving a painful hole in my stomach and ache in my head.

Last week a friend gave me 5 vanilla beans they had purchased at the post they were coming from - Madagascar.  Like gold I have had these beans tucked away safe from harm. I have been anticipating a bit of extra time at the grocery store to select a bottle of vodka to make homemade vanilla extract.  

Today day was the day.  That friend and I stood in front of the huge display of vodkas.  We both had the same purpose - vanilla.  We looked at bottle after bottle. We compared prices.  In the end I made my selction based on the lables.  I picked two .25 liter bottles that I thought would look absolutely cool sitting in my kitchen.  

Back home,
I got out my beans and carefully split them putting two beans in each bottle.  The miniscule seeds began to settle on the bottom.  A sure sign of full flavor.  I gave the bottles a shake and tucked them away in the dark pantry.  A shake a week for a few months and they will be ready for baking.  I'm thinking that this year all my Christmas goodies will be flavored with true Russian Vodka Madagascar Vanilla!

If you are a sucker for good vanilla like I am, this is actually a cheaper way to have vanilla that buying pure extract in the store!  Give it a try, the longer you let it age the more divine it is.

- Kris