The idea of homemade vanilla extract first came to me from Karen, and then after seeing it a few other places, including one of the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks, the idea planted as a quick & easy homemade gift idea. It was Elaine's step-by-step instructions excellent photographs and links to supplies that gave me the final inspiration. I love the blogging community for this reason! So.Much.Good.Stuff. & So.Much.Sharing.
I bought the beans in Paris last spring. Oh, la, la. They seem impossible to find where I live. The 4 ounce cobalt blue bottles are from here. The extract was actually started at the end of August and has been steeping in our cantina under the stairs.
I've just now made the labels, and, Voila! impressive little gifts from the heart for the bakers on my list.
Do you have plans for homemade gifts this Christmas?
They look beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this. I hope to be one of the bakers on your list :)
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness, this is absolutely the most brilliant thing i've seen in AGES!!!! making this next year, for sure. shoot, i want to make it now. i guess i could, if it lasts forever! the packaging is gorgeous, dana, and i'm sure the vanilla is wonderful too!!!
ReplyDeleteas far as my handmade christmas plans--for children: candy cane play dough (from the artful parent). and i'm considering painting up some little christmas-y peg people to attach to the jars. for all to enjoy: a box of baked goods including peppermint bark (orangette), buckeyes (smitten kitchen), and apple cider caramels (our best bites). but i wish i was doing vanilla extract! ;)
i think the same as you do about the blogging community (obviously). though sometimes i curse the abundance of good ideas and the shortage of time to follow through with said ideas.
Aghh.. Karen, sorry for the error with your name! I wonder if more credit goes to getting the link correct or the name correct in the attempt to give credit. Sorry!!!
ReplyDeleteYou guys are kind. There are so many good ideas out there. I steal them all!
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@ Emily ... I made caramels for the first time today. oh-my-heavens...I don't know how we'll be able to give them away. So.Darn.Good!
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What great gifts!
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT idea for a present! They look so pretty!
ReplyDeleteNow I just need to know how to get on your Christmas list! :)
nothing like homemade gifts!! herbal salt and biscuits sound amazing- but the vanilla extracts blew my mind
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing! and yes the online community is fab!
I definitely will try and make some vanilla extract too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I love the blue bottles!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I love the blue bottles!
ReplyDeleteThe herbal sea salt you gave me last year is so, so very good! I love to use it on freshly-steamed vegetables. It even makes my 3-year-old happy : )
ReplyDeleteOh You!! This is *exactly* what I was going to make this year. I gave up the idea when I couldn't find bottles at IKEA (yes, it only took me that much to give up the dream.) I think vanilla is a perfect gift because it is something people will actually use. Anyhoo, I've decided to make candy bark. I made a batch this weekend and after experiencing how easy and delicious it is I've decided it will be the gift. Want to get some small, white chinese take out boxes to give it in.
ReplyDeleteLove your gift - presentation and everything. Well done!
I have made vanilla extract but not as a gift - I don't know many bakers other than myself!
ReplyDeleteI love your apothecary-style bottles. I'm sure every recipient will be thrilled with these.
This year I am giving soap (again!) and some handmade lotion.
Good to hear it, Dana! I've spotted some unopened jars as I've visited family this summer. We are still loving it!
ReplyDeleteKaty...does IKEA carry little bottles? Hmm..I saw the lights you posted about. Guess what? I bought some too a few weeks ago, the ones with the snow flakes.
Thank you, Elizabeth. I hope the recipients use it and don't find it too strange!!
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I have always wanted to do this...have that Barefoot Contessa book with the recipe but just haven't gotten around to it and can't imagine trying to track down vanilla beans in Sicily...but next year in DC seems likely :) Great gift idea.
ReplyDeleteAs you saw earlier today, our homemade gifts are the seaglass/beach treasures mosaics. It is fun making gifts but now I have to get on the ball with shipping everything and that isn't as much fun!
So, Dana, it suddenly occurred to me for some reason that it is only a few months now until Christmas 2012, and that the vanilla extract I (still!) want to make takes a few months to steep...so just ordered my vanilla beans from Beanilla. Whee! I'm so excited! For myself am going to make three flavors (Madagascar, Bourbon, and Tahitian) to see if I can detect a difference. For the gifts though decided to go with Madagascar. So, thanks again for all the great tips! Can't wait to get my vanilla started!
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