Vanilla

This one thing I have noticed in many blogs...the strict instruction given that do NOT use that small bottle of vanilla essence that we get in the market here because it is synthetic. THE thing to use is vanilla extract. As I am still away from home and this is something I recently came across, I have asked a friend to make it for me because the ingredients are impossible to get where I live. I have included the recipe for it here but I shall unfortunately have to wait a long time myself before I can taste the fruit of my friend's labour!

Vanilla Extract

180 ml vodka

2 or more vanilla beans

1. Split the vanilla beans, then cut into half and drop them into a sterilised bottle with vodka.

2. Give it a good shake every day.

3. The extract will be ready for use in 6-8 weeks.

It will be a while before I can use this and see if there is a noticeable difference in the flavour of the cake. Also, vodka can be substituted by brandy or rum to have a differently flavoured extract.

As I have mentioned earlier, I have to restrain myself on a budget normally. Vanilla is slightly expensive to buy in Bombay and there has been enough of a hue and cry about the alcohol prices in Bombay :). I am making an exception for this...though it is still not too expensive per se but comparing it to a Rs. 10 bottle of vanilla essence, it definitely is! Though I do not know the exact amount yet, I will update this post later when I find out. Vanilla beans are available at Indigo Deli and Godrej Nature's Basket. As an alternative, vanilla is apparently extremely cheap in South India where a dozen vanilla beans can be bought for Rs. 180. So if it would be possible to procure it from them, it would be a better alternative.