Homemade Vanilla extract

** UPDATED **

Taken June 14, 2011 (Scroll down to see the before photo)

  I used 4 vanilla beans(can't really do too much with a single vanilla bean), 

40% Vodka (A higher proof alcohol is preferred) and reused a jam jar. 

How to Make Vanilla Extract

recipe from joythebaker.com

Here's what you'll need to make your own vanilla extract:
- A mason jar, or some other clean, super sealing container.
- A high-proof alcohol like vodka, bourbon or rum.  We're talking 80 proof.
- Three vanilla beans per cup of alcohol
- A dark spot to store the jars.
-  Two months.  That's how long it takes to create vanilla extract!

Here's how:

Use a sharp paring knife to cut lengthwise down the center of the vanilla beans, leaving about an inch at the top of the vanilla bean uncut.

Put the vanilla beans in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid.  I used mason jars.

Cover the beans completely with alcohol.  It's three vanilla beans per cup of alcohol, so if you use 2 cups of vodka split open six vanilla beans and throw them in the jar.

Tightly cover the jar and give it a good shake.  Store in a cool dry place for two months.  Give the bottle a good shake every week or so, just so you don't forget all about it.

After two months have passed, your vanilla extract should be ready for your favorite chocolate chip cookie or pound cake recipe.  You might also want to put the extract in cute, tiny bottles and give them to your favorite baker friends.  

Almond tart

For the love of almonds!  I used Cointreau instead of Grand Marnier.

Makes one 10-inch tart

• FOR THE CRUST:
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for hands
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tablespoon water
• FOR THE FILLING:
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, slightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon Grand Marnier
• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Prepare the crust: Preheat oven to 400 degrees with rack in center. Butter a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk to combine flour, sugar, and salt. In a small glass measuring cup, stir together butter, vanilla, and 1/2 tablespoon water; pour over flour mixture. Stir to combine. With floured hands, press dough into prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove tart shell from oven, and reduce heat to 350 degrees.
2. Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, stir together almonds, heavy cream, sugar, egg, almond extract, Grand Marnier, and salt. Pour filling into crust. Bake tart on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet until golden brown, about 45 minutes.

Adapted from Marthastewart.com: Almond Tart - Martha Stewart Recipes

To make a Lemon/almond filling instead of almond:

2 Lemons
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 large egg at room temperature
2 large egg yolks at room temperature
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter melted and cooled
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions
The filling s best made in a blender. I used my magic bullet. Zest 2 lemons, slice the whole lemon in half and pull out the seeds from it and then half the lemon, then cut lemons into small pieces. Put the lemons, sugar in the blender and blend until smooth. Add the remaining filling ingredients and blend until the filling is homogenous. Fill the tart shell (it will be full) and bake for 30-45 min.

Ricky's All day Grill

Ricky's for breakkie!
Chorizo baked eggs with fresh fruit.
The baked eggs were layered with peppers, onions, other veggies, chorizo sausage and topped with their special hollondaise sauce.







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:3 St SW,Calgary,Canada

Boxwood

Lunch hour rush!

1pm is not a terrible time to go but definitely busy.  It really doesn't look like a bustling restaurant from the outside but when you walk in, boy is it a hotspot.  There are long communal tables with bar stools in this cozy cabin type restaurant.  The open kitchen greets you as soon as you walk in.  Rotisserie chickens look and smell fantastic.  You order at the counter and they write your name on a standing placard that you bring to your table (Much better than Famoso style).  I didn't take many photos since it was really busy.  I will definitely revisit this place, it's located on 13Ave between 2nd and 4th St SW right in Central Memorial Park.  It's opened for both lunch and dinner. 

Porchetta (caramelized onion/cabbage) and Roast chicken (lemon basil aioli) sandwiches on cibatta bread. (Beet)Quinoa salad and Roasted tomato & spicy chickpea stew soup with ricotta cheese.  

Apple Sticky toffee pudding- Roasted Apple & Maple Walnut Ice Cream

Vegas 2011: Snacks at The Bellagio

This is a great cafeteria style restaurant.  Not too pricey and excellent food. 

Most places give you ketchup and fries. This place gives you guacamole and kettle chips. Landmark for this place is next to The Bank.

I had the steak soft taco's.

My friend had the Philly cheese steak sandwich with a side of onion rings.

Apparently this is not on Urbanspoon so here is the Yelp link!

Vegas 2011: Munchbar at Caesar's Palace

After what it seemed like miles of 'Fermé', we finally found a restaurant that was opened after midnight in Vegas.  Trust me it sounds easy to find but it's not.

Munchbar is situated across from the Pussycat doll dancer/tables.  That's the most recognizable landmark in the Caesar's labyrinth to get you to Munchbar.

Hours: Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 11am - 4am

Sun-Mon, Wed-Thur 11am -2am

I had the Philly cheesesteak sliders and my friend had a monster sized burger and skinny fries.  Sliders are usually small and I found the 3 to be absolutely filling and delicious.

Vegas 2011: La Crêperie

Revisited!

Still as good as the first time.  We tried the Napoleon- Lemon custard with raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, and the Bayonne- Proscuitto, mozzarella, basil and béchamel sauce.

Of course the last thing I ate before leaving Vegas.

D'Anjou

Vegas 2011: Denny's

Yes even Denny's deserves a rating.

It's just been a thing that my best friend and I do. We go to Denny's. This time it was the Denny's next to M&M world.
Strawberry Milkshake

I had something called the Grand slam'wich

The bread tasted like it was brushed with maple syrup and inside was cheese, bacon, ham, and eggs. I added onions, peppers, and avocado to my hash browns (at an extra cost of course). Heart attack waiting to happen. Look for coupon's we found some for Denny's.

I don't remember the name of this burger but I know it had onion rings and chicken in it.

Vegas 2011: Sidewalk Cafe at Bally's

When you're in this restaurant you are surrounded by portraits of The Rat Pack everywhere.  It feels like very old classy Vegas.  And the only music you will hear are jazz standards.  A little Ella, a little Frank, you get the picture.  You can even play Keno while you eat.  Standard American fare. Exactly what I was looking for in a breakfast. 

2 All American Breakfast's with slight differences.

I had the pancakes and bacon, whereas my friend had the french toast and sausage.

Vegas 2011: Pho - TI

Moderately priced for your typical share of Viet food.

Pho with rare beef and Vermicelli bowl with beef