Vanilla Extract

A few weeks ago, I started on my vanilla extract. Because I'm me, I certainly did not remember to shake my bottle vigorously every day for the first week, but it still seems to be coming along nicely.

It smells amazing in any case. I can't wait to try it out, but I'm nervous about being able to tell when it's ready. I guess I can do a taste test with the standard bottle of stuff I have from TJ's. I'm all ready for mine to blow it right out of the water. Don't let me down extract!!!

* update *
It doesn't smell amazing. It smells weird. The little vanilla scraps at the rim smelled amazing, but the extract itself smells a bit. . . plastic.
The Eel was brave enough to take a sip last night. He concurs; it's weird. Was it my beans? I sterilized my bottle and lid first (breaking one in the process). . . I used Skyy vodka. . . I don't understand!

** update to update **
I went crying to the guy that wrote the instructable I followed. He preached patience and said I'd probably be fine given time. Phew!!!

** update 11.30.08 **
Thank goodness I looked at the instructables again and saw that I'm supposed to let this sit for 6 months! I was just about to strain out the beans! It smells amazing now, yay. I'm tempted to portion it out into the smaller bottles, WITH the beans and caviar, so it's ready to give as Christmas gifts, but I can try to be patient for at least another few weeks. . . . I want to use those beans to make vanilla sugar and make little creme brulee gift sets or something else vanilla-y delicious.

Speaking of Vanilla

I can't stop thinking about making my own vanilla extract since I saw it in a magazine. Then I can use the old pods for making vanilla scented sugar and then. . . . creme brulee. * drool *
I've only fallen for creme brulee in the last year or so, and man, I would eat it every day if I didn't know what was in it. In fact, I loved that I didn't like it since I'm such a dessertie - that was one thing I could always skip. Now I'm looking for seconds. Damn you palate!!
Check out this instructable for making your own extract.
Check out this recipe for creme brulee from Alton Brown.
Now make them and invite me over. I promise to make you some lavender/vanilla lemonade, I just have to work the recipe out a little. Stay tuned.