DIY Vanilla Extract // Learn Stuff

I made it a goal this year to learn about or how to do 5 new things. The first thing I learned is how to DIY vanilla extract!

Why on earth would I want to do that?

1) Artificial vanilla extract tastes awful. Just say no. I promise you'll be able to tell the difference and prefer it!
2) Real vanilla extract is expensive! Especially if you buy organic!! I can only get about 2oz for about $10. (OY!)
3) Its' so flippin' easy & SO much cheaper to make it yourself!!

Seriously:

1) buy ingredients
2) find jar
3) cut open beans
4) put beans in jar, cover with vodka.
5) let sit in a cool, dark cupboard for a month or two.

DONE. 

Specific Process:

Ingredients:

3-5 vanilla beans (can buy in spice section at grocery store, best at natural food stores, they were much cheaper there than at Target, or Amazon is a great source!)
8 oz of vodka (rum, brandy, or bourbon would work as well)
clean jar
dark place to store while aging

1) Cut open your vanilla beans length wise. Make sure they will fit in your jar. If they are too tall, you can cut them in half. (the alcohol just needs to fully cover the beans).
2) Put the beans in the jar, making sure they can all be covered by alcohol. Pour in the alcohol, and seal the lid.
3) Give the jar a few shakes.
4) Store in a cool, dark, space for 1-2 months. (the longer, the stronger)

When you use this extract, as is, after it has sat in your cupboard, it will have a vanilla bean fleck to it. If you don't like that, you can strain it through a coffee filter before using it.

Similarly, you can leave the beans in, to let the flavor strengthen, or you can remove them. You can also leave them in and refill the alcohol a little as you go. You'll be able to tell when the beans are all used up! Sources I have read recommend using beans later for vanilla flavored sugars. :)

5) Use and enjoy. As far as I can tell... as long as this is well sealed and stored in a cool and dry place, it should last until it's gone. I haven't read anything in my research to suggest otherwise.

6) Now make a bigger batch.... and never ever buy extract again. :)

Substitutions:

Vodka will leave your extract with the most neutral flavor, but you can substitute rum, brandy, or bourbon if you'd rather. It will just change the flavor of your extract a little.

You're welcome!

For a cost comparison: I could get 2 oz of organic vanilla extract for about $10. I DIY'd this vanilla extract, which is 8 oz for just about the same price (we used 5 beans). That's a great savings, and obviously, the larger batch you make... the cheaper it is!

Lastly, this is like one of the greatest DIY gifts ever for anyone who likes to cook or bake. Why not make a huge batch of extract... and then funnel it into small jars to give as Christmas or Mother's Day gifts?!?! It's so easy... but so appreciated!

Have you guys tried this before?! Is anyone going to? Maybe I'm just a baking nerd... but I was SO JAZZED to try this! :)

Have any of you learned about or how to do something new this year?! I'd love to hear about it!

XO,

Alexandra

12 Sweet Pie Recipes for Summertime!

I love pie. Don't you guys love pie?

Our city recently got a diner (a real one!), and they serve... you guessed it!... pie! :) We had dinner there, and the pie (which we got to go) was divine!

Which reminded me, that my Summer Bucket List mentioned making two new pies... I need to get on that! While looking for ideas, I made this list of 12 pie recipes that I found on Pinterest! While great at any time of year, they would be especially fantastic for summer!

1) Apricot Raspberry Galette - Gluten free!
2) Patriotic Pie - While a bit late this year, this pie would be lovely for the 4th!
3) Peach Pie - Peach is my favorite!
4) Strawberry Peach Tart - I have yet to eat or make a strawberry pie! Maybe it's time?
5) Cherry Hand Pies - Cherry is KC's favorite!
6) Blueberry Peach -  or try this one from Becca @ Ladyface - It's gluten free & vegan too!
7) Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie - This is legit, no pudding involved!
8) Scarlett O'Hara Raspberry Pie - adorable name, may just make me try it!
9) Four Berry Pie -Mmmm...
10) Blackberry Crumb Pie - Crumble topping is hard to resist.... and super low maintenance!
11) Berry Apple Rhubarb Pie - Rhubarb is also a pie flavor I have never eaten or made!
12) Meyer Lemon Chess Pie - I have never had a chess pie.. but this looks delicious!

Is your mouth watering?

Perhaps you are feeling like pie is more effort than you have time for... try this no-fail fruit crisp recipe. My favorite combination so far is raspberry peach! I love how easy it is: put fruit in pan, top fruit with crumble, bake, eat... Top it with ice cream if you are feeling really crazy. And then eat the leftovers for breakfast... ;)

What is your favorite summer pie or dessert?

Pretty darn soon it's going to be time to start thinking about fall!

Exciting!!

XO,

Alexandra

*all images from the original source*

Sometimes.... You Just Gotta' Roll With It // Pie Day 2014

I'm not a master of many things. I try many things, I practice many things, enjoy many things and learn many things... but there are only a few things that I feel truly good at. 

But making pies is one of them. 

This pie day (or a month later).... I made a beautiful pie.

I mean picture perfect... for my mom's birthday... so excited.. 

and... it was completely soupy in the center. 

But you know what... it. just. happens.

I could let it bother me, even a month later... but why waste the energy?

Having a rough week? 

Just keep rolling with the punches... you'll make it.

Happy Thursday! We're almost there*!

XO,

Alexandra

*and by there (for me) I mean SPRING BREAK!*

National Pie Day 2014! // Ideas & Recipes

National Pie Day is a big deal for us.... yet it ALWAYS sneaks up on me... : / but... tomorrow January 23rd is the day! 

In honor of the day, and really in honor of pie, I make a pie on the 23rd every year. This will be my 4th year!

So far, since I am still a fairly new cook.. I have been trying to test out new recipes every year. This year is no different, but I won't be giving away my recipe just yet! :)

Instead, I thought I would leave you a mouth-watering pie post, with links to recipes that I have tried in the past! I hope that you will feel inspired to make your own pie tomorrow, or really anytime this week, because pie makes people happy. Make a pie and share it with those you love!

Mini Chocolate Meringue Pies (2013)

Individual sized chocolate pies with meringues. The meringues turned out perfectly, and win/lose we weren't stuck with 3/4 a pie to eat all by ourselves... :) 

Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie {2012}

 This recipe also made my top 12 of 2012 recipes! So it is very good in my opinion! :) Kyle had never had a cream pie before, but he loved it! This recipe really wasn't too hard but was definitely worth any and all effort put into it! Crust recipe and directions also included in the post!

Heart's Desire Cherry Pie {2011}

A nice cherry pie. It uses both frozen and dried cherries so it has a mix of sweet and tart, which is nice for those of us who aren't always the biggest fan of tartness. This is Kyle's favorite. Crust recipe and directions also included in the post!

Apple Cranberry Pie

This pie is so delicious. I always make it for either Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it doesn't have to be seasonal. It uses dried cranberries so it can really be made whenever you want it! Because the cranberries are dried they are much sweeter than fresh ones. So if made with mild or sweet apples it is actually quite sweet! If you like tart go for a green apple, like Granny Smith and you will have a sweet/tart combo! It is also great with a crumble crust, recipe also at the above link. Crust recipe and directions also included in the post!

Blueberry Peach Pie

This pie was not my favorite, but Kyle and his parents loved it! If you like blueberry pie, you will probably like this pie. It was very easy! What I love most about it are the colors! :)

Pumpkin Pie

While for some this pie is seasonal, there really isn't any reason it needs to be. It is yummy all year round. I just used the recipe on the can of pumpkin. 

Need a basic crust recipe? This one never fails me and can be cut in half for single-crust pies! :) Double Crust Pie Pastry

Whatever your plans for the 23rd, the rest of the week or the weekend; i hope you are able to fit in a nice homemade pie and time with your loved ones! :) 

What are you planning to bake?

What is your favorite type of pie?

Thank You for Reading!

Alexandra 

8 Fall Recipes I Can't Wait to Try!

I recently posted about my 8 favorite fall recipes... but I'm always searching for more! Here are 8 fall recipes from Pinterest that I can't wait to try!

All titles link to the original recipe or pin page if the link was broken. All images are from the original recipes.

1. Pumpkin French Toast 

2. Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins

3. Shepherd's Pie

4. Turkey Panini with Blue Cheese and Cranberry Apricot Chutney

5. Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze

6. Fall Champagne Sangria

7. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

8. Mushroom Pasta Sauce

What are your favorite fall recipes and foods?

Thanks for reading!

Alexandra

8 Favorite Fall Recipes!

Happy Fall everyone!

The weather is starting to cool down which always makes me want to stay home, cozy up and bake!

In 2012 I tried 100 new recipes, here are my 8 favorite fall dishes from that list! Click on the title of the dish to follow the link to the recipe!

1. Apple Cranberry Pie

This pie is amazing! So simple and so delicious! A great way to eat cranberries without the SUPER tart taste!

2. Upside Down Chicken Pot Pies

Easy as can be "filling" and fluffy sheets of puff pastry! Hearty and warm for those chilly fall days!

3. Honey Peanut Butter Granola
Yummy yummy yummy! This granola is so flavorful and delicious! I have tried it several different ways and it always turns out great! Put it in a jar and you've got breakfast for 2 weeks!

4. Sausage Skillet Hash

This skillet dinner is so easy and comforting. The potatoes, spinach, sausage and sauce are so flavorful and warm. The cider vinegar gives you a little "fall" flavor while you're cooking. (and I don't even like cider vinegar!)

5. Bierocks
The ultimate Midwestern comfort food. Breaded pocket filled with hamburger, onions and cabbage. Sounds weird if you haven't had it before.. but it's amazing! This recipe feeds a crowd so consider freezing or throwing a party!

6. Pumpkin Waffles
I don't really need to say anything about this one. 
Pumpkin. Waffles.

7. Easy Cheesy Potato Soup
So So So good. Warm, cheesy.. delicious!

8. Chili Pie
Chili is one of those foods that automatically makes me think of fall. This dish is a twist on your usual chili... cheesy potato topping can't make it worse... :) 

Looking forward to re-making these recipes this fall as well as trying out a bunch of new soup recipes from Pinterest!

Have you read my fall bucket list?

What are your favorite fall recipes? I'd love to know!

Thank you for reading!

All for now,

Alexandra

National Pie Day Pie 2013!

January 23rd was National Pie Day!

This year I decided to make mini pies. We got 4 little pie plates {4 inch} as wedding gifts, so I decided to try them out!

One of my friends from Miller, Joyce, gave us a wonderful cookbook called Small Batch Baking, which is perfect for just the 2 of us! 

I found the recipe for mini chocolate meringue pies in it, and it turned out being really yummy and easy. I won't lie I was really intimidated by the meringue. It is so easy to mess it up, but they actually turned out really well! I was really pleased.

They were yummy, simple and perfectly portioned for two.

Mini Crusts & Chocolate Meringue Pies

Borrowed, Adapted and Enjoyed from Small Batch Baking

Crust Ingredients

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. sugar

3 T. unsalted butter, cold, cut into small pieces

4 tsp. ice water, more if needed

unsalted butter, at room temperature for greasing pans {if using tart pan, or jumbo muffin pans, I did not use for pie plates}

 Filling Ingredients

1/3 cup of sugar

1 T. + 3 tsp. cake flour

1 T. unsweetened cocoa powder

pinch of salt

1/3 cup of whole milk

yolk of one large egg 

1 oz. of bittersweet or semisweet chocolate {I used semi sweet}

1 T. unsalted butter 

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract 

Meringue Ingredients:

White of large egg used in filling @ room temp

1/8 tsp. cream of tartar

1/8 tsp. of vanilla extract

pinch of salt

1 1/2 T. sugar

Pans Required

2 mini pie plates, 1 jumbo muffin plan or 2 mini tart pans + a cookie sheet, food processor {or you can do the crust by hand with the same general instructions}

Crust 

1) Place dry ingredients in the food processor and pulse to blend.

2) Space out pieces in food processor and pulse about 15 times or until the lumps of butter are about the size of peas.

3) Sprinkle the ice water over the flour and process lightly until small, moist clumps of dough being to form. Add up to 2 tsp. more ice water if needed to wet the dough.

4) Tear off two sheets of waxed paper and divide the dough into 2 equal pieces. Flatten each ball of dough into disks and wrap in the pieces of waxed paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5) Press the dough into the bottom of two ungreased pie pans or greased jumbo muffin cups, or greased mini tart pans. Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork several times and put in the freezer and chill for 15 minutes.

6) After chilling the dough, place in a 375 degree oven and bake for 4-5 minutes. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Filling

1) Put the dry ingredients in a sauce pan and whisk together. Whisk in the milk and egg yolk and place over medium heat and whisk constantly until thick and bubbly.

2) Remove pan from heat and add butter and chocolate. Replace over heat until butter and chocolate have melted, stirring constantly. 

3) Remove from the heat and mix in the vanilla. Keep warm on the stove. 

Meringue {prepare immediately!}

1)  Place the egg white in a bowl or kitchen-aid mixer bowl and beat on medium speed until it is foamy. 

2) Add the cream of tartar, vanilla and salt and increase mixer speed to high and beat until soft peaks form.

3) With mixer running on high speed, slowly add the sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form. 

4) Add the filling evenly to the pie shells and mound the meringue to the top with high peaks. Seal the meringue to the edge of the pan. If using jumbo muffin pans fill other muffin spots with water so that your pan does not warp while baking.

5) Bake until golden brown, 15-17 minutes.

6) Remove and allow to cool completely away from drafts. If using tart or muffin pans remove from pans to serve.

Share & Enjoy!

*Best eaten the day that they are made.*

I was thrilled to get a comment on my instagram picture from a {I assume} seasoned pie maker saying that my meringue looked perfect! It made me feel really good, especially since I was so nervous! Sometimes it just works out. :)  

What type of pie did you have on National Pie Day?

All for now,

Alexandra

Ideas for National Pie Day 2013!

I love pie a lot. I would choose pie over almost any other dessert, if it is good pie {i.e. Homemade}. Needless to say I get really excited in January because it contains National Pie Day! 

National Pie Day is always January 23rd. 

In honor of the day, and really in honor of pie, I make a pie on the 23rd every year. This will be my 3rd year.

So far, since I am still a fairly new cook.. I have been trying to test out new recipes every year. This year is no different, but I won't be giving away my recipe just yet! :)

Instead, I thought I would leave you a mouth-watering pie post, with links to recipes that I have tried in the past! I hope that you will feel inspired to make your own pie tomorrow, or really anytime this week, because pie makes people happy. Make a pie and share it with those you love!

Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie {2012} 

This recipe also made my top 12 of 2012 recipes! So it is very good in my opinion! :) Kyle had never had a cream pie before, but he loved it! This recipe really wasn't too hard but was definitely worth any and all effort put into it! Crust recipe and directions also included in the post!

Heart's Desire Cherry Pie {2011}

A nice cherry pie. It uses both frozen and dried cherries so it has a mix of sweet and tart, which is nice for those of us who aren't always the biggest fan of tartness. This is Kyle's favorite. Crust recipe and directions also included in the post!

Apple Cranberry Pie 

This pie is so delicious. I always make it for either Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it doesn't have to be seasonal. It uses dried cranberries so it can really be made whenever you want it! Because the cranberries are dried they are much sweeter than fresh ones. So if made with mild or sweet apples it is actually quite sweet! If you like tart go for a green apple, like Granny Smith and you will have a sweet/tart combo! It is also great with a crumble crust, recipe also at the above link. Crust recipe and directions also included in the post!

Blueberry Peach Pie

This pie was not my favorite, but Kyle and his parents loved it! If you like blueberry pie, you will probably like this pie. It was very easy! What I love most about it are the colors! :)For a crust recipe check the Cherry or Apple pie post!

Pumpkin Pie 

While for some this pie is seasonal, there really isn't any reason it needs to be. It is yummy all year round. I just used the recipe on the can of pumpkin. For a crust recipe check the cherry or apple pie post!

Share & Enjoy!

Want more recipes and ideas for your crust designs? Check out my pie board on Pinterest!

Happy National Pie Day! 

What is your favorite pie recipe?

All for now,

Alexandra

Top 12 Recipes of 2012 {out of 100!} + 3 Runner's Up!

When I set the goal to try 100 new recipes in 2012, I'm not sure exactly what I was thinking... or if I thought I would make it. But somehow, I did. And I really enjoyed {most of} the process. I found a lot of recipes that I can have ready to go when I make my menus! I got to try a lot of fun new things and to be honest not too terribly many of them turned out to be bad! :)

So in December, I thought it would be fun to go through and pick my favorites and then share them with you! There were so many to choose from! I loved many of them and a lot were good enough to repeat even though they did not make this list.. In order to narrow enough I did not include recipes that I had tasted before even if I had never MADE them myself. If I had.. Spritz Cookies for sure would have made the list! :)  

Here we go! {in no particular order}

1) Garlic Basil Shrimp

Garlic-y, basil-y, fresh and delicious! Fairly healthy and filled to the brim with ingredients I love!

2) Chicken Bruschetta Pasta

Super fresh! Really healthy but flavorful! I was surprised by how great this recipe was! I say, wait and make it when you've got yummy fresh tomatoes! :)

3) Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie

 This was what I tried for national pie day 2012! It ended up being really great and work the {minimal} extra effort to make it from scratch!

4) Granola #2

 I love granola, and I really wanted to find a recipe I liked! I got lucky on my 2nd try! This stuff is heavenly! Its like a cookie in your cereal bowl! It made the house smell heavenly! Make this right now.. and make it monthly!

5) Parmesan Red Pepper Crusted Tilapia

 This meal was so flavorful! I loved the spice of the peppers and the freshness of real Parmesan. This was easy and really cheap for a fish dish! I highly recommend this recipe!

6) Jambalaya

Oh my goodness I love cajun food! I've even started putting cajun seasoning in our scrambled eggs! This recipe was easy and super delicious. It is way more exciting than any of the usual styles of food we choose from. This meal makes me want to head south to New Orleans the first chance I get! :)

7) Beirocks

This meal is straight comfort food! It was surprisingly easy and extremely tasty! Don't be intimidated! It is worth it and really not that hard! 

8) Chicken Apricot Paninis

Pioneer Woman is a genius. I know I say this a lot.. but for very good reason. This recipe was so fantastic. The flavors were things that I never would have picked to go together and it got me really excited about trying crazier recipes and mixing in my own ideas to recipes I found. Taking a chance in the kitchen can be very rewarding!

9) Sausage Skillet Hash

I love how simple this recipe is, but it has this crazy combination of flavors. It has the tang from the Dijon, the sweetness of the brown sugar and it is very hearty! I made this again this week because it is just that easy! Note: don't be alarmed by the initial amount of spinach! It looks like a ton when it goes in.. but it cooks down and isn't overwhelming at all!

10) Mocha Cheesecake

Oh my Lord.. this recipe turned me into a cheesecake lover! It was insanely rich! Seriously guys, small slices and lots of sharing! But it was heavenly. You won't believe that you could make something that tastes so good!

11) {insert fruit here} crisp - My favorite in raspberry

This has become my go-to dessert. It's warm, bubbly, fruity and not too sweet. It is great with ice cream and just about everyone loves it!

12) french toast! (the best in the world!) 

I cannot actually explain how much I love this french toast. So I won't try.

Runners Up:

Pumpkin Waffles

Perfect for fall, easy as can be, unusual flavor... such a great meal.

Cheesy Potato Soup

I figured that this recipe would be pretty bland since I hadn't really tried many soup recipes.. but it wasn't! The sharp cheddar was just the ticket! Perfect for a super chilly day!

Ham and Cheese Biscuit Pockets

These are so easy and tasty! They are great for busy nights when you just want to whip up something really easy but satisfying. I recommend you work this into your monthly menus! This one is really kid friendly!

 What were your favorite recipes of 2012? Send them my way! Which of mine did you like the best?

All for now,

Alexandra 

Nutella Cookies {Recipe #99}

Hi all! I hope 2013 is treating you well so far!

Kyle and I have been starting up a new routine for a new schedule and I have been organizing and decorating our apartment like crazy! {a year later....} Posts coming soon! SO excited about it too!

Anyway, through all of this I have been struggling to get these last few recipes re-made {for pictures} and posted! But hopefully I can get in the last one by the end of the week! 

Then I will have a top 10 recipes of 2012 + 3 Runner's up recipes post and a best and worst cookbook post! Exciting! :) 

So here's the recipe you were waiting for!

I made this back in March for Kyle's birthday, but didn't have my camera with me at the time. They were delicious! Kyle loves nutella so the recipe was a hit! I would recommend these to anyone who loves chocolate. They are fairly dark chocolate-y which is nice. 

Nutella Cookies

Via pinterest & altered a bit

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups of flour {spooned into measuring cup and leveled off}

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt {only if you are using unsalted butter}

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 stick of butter softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract {real, please}

1/3 cup nutella

1/3 cup milk

1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. 

2) In a small bowl mix together flour, powders and salt {if using}.

3) in a mixer, cream butter and sugars. Then add extract. 

4) Next, add the nutella to the butter mixture.

5) Mix in half of the dry mixture into the wet mixture. Then add the milk. Then add the last 1/2 of the dry mixture and mix until well combined.

6) Cover and let dough chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes {I suggest longer}, up to 2 days.

7) Use a lined cookie sheet {with silpat mats, parchment paper etc.} Roll tablespoons of the batter into balls and place on cookie sheets. Flatten slightly and bake for 10-12 minutes. 

8) Let sit on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before moving to cooling rack. 

Share & Enjoy! 

I Like to turn mine into cookie sandwiches by spreading a little bit of nutella in between 2 cookies! This also helps because I am less of a dark chocolate lover than Kyle is. So it makes it a little sweeter! It is delicious! :)

What is your favorite cookie recipe? 

All for now,

Alexandra