Tuesday Recipes

Over the holidays I spoke with many friends about how simple it is to make certain things that we use for baking or making meals.  I decided to give you a few recipes that should save you some money.

Have you ever thought of making your own Vanilla?  It's so easy, it's rediculous.  As someone who loves to bake I could easily spend a fortune buying Vanilla extract.

Vanilla extract

3-4 tubes of vanilla beans (you can get them at bulk barn at the cashiers counter or Superstore has them as well)

1- 40oz bottle of Vodka

Slice beans lengthwise and put them into bottle of Vodka.  Lable bottle as Vanilla and place bottle in a cool dark cupboard.  In 6 to 8 weeks you will have your own large bottle of Vanilla and it can last for years depending on how much you use.  I usually let the bottle sit for 3-4 months before I use it and I never take the beans out.  You can remove the beans but depending on the shape of the vodka bottle that can be difficult.

( I just made this bottle of Vanilla, as you can see the flavour starting to mix with the vodka, this bottle is only 2 weeks old, it will be much darker in a few more weeks)

Another easy thing to make is mayonnaise.  Crazy as it sounds it's not that hard.

Mayonnaise 

1 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon mustard powder

1/2 teaspoon salt ( I use a 1/4tsp)

Juice of one lemon

Place 1/4 cup oil, egg, mustard powder, and salt in a blender, food processor, or mixing bowl.  Mix thoroughly.  While the food processor or blender is running slowly drizzle in remaining 1 cup of oil.  After mixture has emulsified, add the lemon juice, blending on low or stirring to incorporate.

(I use EVOO but you can use any oil you want.  Don't freek out when there is a greenish tint to your mayo, EVOO has a greenish tint to it and it shows up in the mayo).