Speeding up the Vanilla???

I got to thinking this evening that there had to be a faster way (besides adding pre-made vanilla or more beans) to speed up the process.... It is fun to watch it slowly change, but I want to use it!!!!

So I went scavenging about google looking at other recipes. (Gotta love google!) I saw a few that suggested giving the bottle a good shake for 30 seconds every day to speed up the process. Just finished the first shake. Can't wait to see how it looks at the three month mark if I keep up the shaking!

I think, just maybe, it's a shade darker already...

Is Cultured Butter Better?

Yes!!!!

If it's homemade? Well... still working on acheiving better than equivalent taste with that one.

I think I am going to need to experiment with seasonings or spices to find the taste I am looking far. I keep thinking there will be a stronger tangy taste. (Like the store bought cultured stuff....) Maybe I am just rushing the process by stopping at 24 hours instead of going on to 36. So far I have tried a mild creme fraiche (two Christmases ago) and plain yogurt (this time) as the culture. Next time, the buttermilk.

But, better taste aside, there is something about the process of taking cream and turning it into butter that makes you feel like you have concquered something basic and raw. Almost primal. Like making bread! Plus its just so cool to watch the cream thicken overnight and then, after mixing the cream to a point just past the place you would normally stop when making whipped cream, to watch the butter globules just -POOF- suddenly drop out of the whipped cream and appear in your mixing bowl! One minute cream, next minute butter. Who knew butter could be so close?

Used the recipe from this article- http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2009533119_pacificptaste26.html
with Snowville Creamery whipping cream
and about 1/2 c of nonfat plain Dannon yogurt.

Getting ready to mix up the thickened cream



As the cream turns grainy and the butter starts to drop out



During the rinsing process



Butter! rolled up in wax paper and ready for the freezer

Vanilla- Two Month Check

So fascinating to watch it slowly change color! May need to break down and add more beans or some pre-made vanilla to speed up the process though....

How many lights?

Sunday turned out to be one of those perfect cloudy days, clear and slightly on the cool side, that don't usually show up so close to mid summer. To celebrate, a friend and I took to the streets of Cincinnati to see what we could see.

This photo amused me for the sheer number of lights visible in the background of the lamp post. It was taken near DeSales Corner.





Near the knitting shop One Stitch, several trees have found themselves hugged with knit scarfs. This one is just plain whimsy out of a Dr. Seuss book.



Up in Mt. Adams there was lots to see.




One unexpected place we discovered was the Mt. Adam Stairs leading up to the Church of the Immaculata from down below. Apparently on Good Friday, pilgrims say prayers on each step as they make their way up from the bottom of the hill to the church. (Okay, M knew about it and took us there b/c she knew about it....., but, it was an amazing feeling of discovery for me in unexpectedly happening upon this place on an afternoon wander.)






We even saw Friar Tuck, who kindly invited us to dine with him! Sadly, we had to decline...

Vanilla- One Month Check

Here is a peak at how my attempt at homemade vanilla is coming along. The recipe suggested adding a little bought vanilla to speed up the process, but for this first batch I wanted to see how it long it would take.

Ingredients: 1 bottle of cheap vodka; 2 vanillabeans; time...

At one month out, it is finally starting to turn a lovely light brown color.

A Bit of Spring

Inspiration Board

or my version of one anyway!

I finally found a use for the Ikea curtain wires I purchased earlier this fall and somehow never got around to putting up.






The batik image is a gift from a friend who recently travelled to South Africa.