Infused Vanilla Beans

I always seem to have vanilla beans infusing something or another in my kitchen: Vodka, honey or oil.

This super simple formula was inspired by the great body care book Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles (Storey Publishing, 2007), and calls for only two ingredients, plus a few months of infusing time. Jojoba oil is a really great moisturizer and all around miracle that has many uses and works for all types of skin. Infused with deep, fragrant vanilla just makes it all the better. Use it as a massage oil, or for a full-body moisturizing scent.

3 long vanilla beans
1 1/2 cups jojoba oil

1. Slice the vanilla beans lengthwise and scrape the seeds from each bean, and add it to a glass jar. Chop the empty bean pods into one-inch pieces and add to the jar. Cap the jar and shake the mixture for one minute.

2. Store the jar in a dark place for two months to allow the vanilla essence to infuse the oil. During this time, shake the jar every day for 10 to 15 seconds.

3. After two months, strain the oil through a tight-mesh strainer lined with cheese cloth or muslin then pour the oil into an elegant glass storage bottle.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla Extract Ingredients:

8 oz. clean, dark glass bottle and cap
7-8 ounces of Ever Clear or Vodka (inexpensive varieties do work well)
3-4 fresh, high-quality 6" vanilla beans. They should be dark, and the bean should have consistent coloring on the entire bean. For an even more concentrated extract, you can use 1 or two more beans.
Muslin for straining

Vanilla Extract Directions:

Carefully cut the vanilla beans lengthwise. Then, cut them into small pieces, about 1/4" - 1/2" in length (about 2 cm).
Put all the vanilla pieces into the bottle.
Then, pour the vodka into the bottle leaving enough room to shake the bottle well.
Cap well.
Allow the extract to sit in a dark area for 30 days, shaking the mixture daily.
After 30 days, carefully strain the extract through the muslin fabric to remove all vanilla bean pieces and particles.
You may need to strain the extract several times.
Rebottle into a clean, dark glass bottle.

 

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