made vanilla extract is very easy, and once you use it you will never buy imitation vanilla again.
Vanilla Extract Recipe:
Take 4-6 vanilla beans, 2 cups Brandy or 80 proof Vod- ka. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise, cut the bean into 1⁄2 inch pieces, place them in a clean glass jar and cover all the pieces with the liquid. Seal tightly and let stand a minimum of 2 months shaking the jar occasion- ally. Use as needed. Makes about 2 cups.
Did you know that like many polyphenols found in plants, vanillin has antioxidant & anti-tumor benefits?
Since early times the indigenous people who cultivated
vanilla have used it as medicine. They used it to calm the stomach, to treat asthma, congestion, and coughs, and even as a salve for syphilis. Up until the early years of the 20th cen- tury vanilla was used in the pharmacy to calm upset stomachs. In fact, Coca Cola syrup was often used as a stomach seda- tive, and later, Coke was substituted for calming the effects of nausea. The reason? Coca Cola contains a large percentage of vanilla!
Did you know that you can make your own vanilla syrup? It is scrumptious drizzled over hot pancakes, or if you pre-
fer, use it as a topping on ice cream or pound cake. Vanilla Syrup Recipe
Yield: 2 1/4 cups (serving size: 2 TBS)
Combine: 1 vanilla bean (split lengthwise); 2 cups granulated sug- ar; 1 1/2 cups water; 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (strained); 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
Scrape seeds from vanilla bean; place seeds and bean in a small bowl. Combine granulated sugar and remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add vanilla bean and seeds, stirring gently.
Cool syrup to room temperature. Pour syrup and vanilla bean into a glass container. Cover and chill.
Note: Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Submitted by Wendy Evensen, Sadie's herbal Garden, 8406 Hwy 158 in Stokesdale.
336.644.SOAP (7627) Visit sa-
diesherbalgarden.com. See ad on page 23 Visit Sadies' booth at the Natural Triad Health Fair on March 24.
MARCH 2007 17
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