Give Homemade Extracts As Gifts For Your Family And Friends
Extracts that are bought from the store can cost a pretty penny these days. A tiny fluid ounce can cost up to $10 dollars, which adds up over time. Since spending that kind of cash isn’t always in the budget of a student enrolled in an online culinary program, here are some really easy ways to create great extracts in your home.
The great thing about homemade extracts is the quality. You have complete control over your ingredients. You are also in control of the concentration levels and flavor. All you need is an assortment of alcohol to facilitate the extraction process, some raw materials that have the flavor you want, and a couple containers that suit your needs.
Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract is probably the most well-known and widely used extract in the world. It can be used in candies, ice cream, whipped cream and of course, chocolate chip cookies. If you don’t like vanilla on your food, it can be used in a variety of other applications, like a soft-scented perfume, an antiseptic for minor burns, air freshener for your home and even a weight-loss aid.
You will need:
- a small jar
- 2 vanilla pods
- 1/2 cup of quality vodka, white rum or bourbon
First, sterilize the inside of your jar. Place your ingredients in and seal tightly. Let the vanilla soak in a cool, dark place for four weeks. To facilitate the process, shake the bottle gently every few days. If you don’t like having bits of vanilla pod in your extract, strain the liquid with a sieve before you use it.
The process is quite the same for many other fruit and nut extracts. What can change slightly is the alcohol that you use. If you want to make cinnamon extract, for example, you can replace the high-quality vodka with a rich brandy.
Other kinds of extracts you can make at home:
Lemon – Use two lemons’ worth of lemon peels and quality vodka or white rum. Lemon extract can be used in buttermilk milkshakes, strawberry shortcakes, cocktails, smoothies and ice cream
Almonds – Use a 1/2 cup of vodka and three tablespoons of crushed almonds. Add your almond extract to your breakfast oatmeal or dessert rice pudding, Mix it in your French toast batter or add a drop or two on the toast itself.
