I started making jelly/salsa a couple of years ago to give as Christmas gifts. The ones that tell me they love it and would like more, go on my “list” for future years. I had one person tell me they still had stuff left over from a previous gifting, so now I put out a notice ... do you want it? Sign up (helps me plan my batches, too). It’s too much work to give people canned goods they don’t use. Last year, I also decorated up some nice (square Anchor Hocking) jars of Jalapeno Pepper Jelly & donated them to my church’s Christmas bake sale. The jars were so cute that you could buy one & give it to someone else without having to wrap/decorate it.
THIS year, I think I’ll make homemade vanilla! The stuff is SO expensive to buy ready-made & evidently, if you ever taste homemade, you never go back to store bought! Here are some links on how to do it (I’ll be doing Big Batch!!):
Homemade Vanilla Extract
http://chickensintheroad.com/cooking/homemade-vanilla-extract
Homemade Vanilla: The Big Bottle Method
http://chickensintheroad.com/cooking/homemade-vanilla-the-big-bottle-method/
If I’m going to do vanilla, I need to get on the ball & get going - it needs steeping time.
I usually make my own Vanilla, but you’re right - time is of the essence for some of these projects!
Relatively good prices on Vanilla Beans at The Spice House:
https://www.thespicehouse.com/search?q=vanilla%20bean
Vanilla Almonds
ING 1 egg white, beaten 1 tsp pure vanilla 4 cups whole almonds 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cinnamon
METHOD Beat egg white, vanilla extract, add almonds; stir to coat. Mix w/ combined sugar, salt, cinnamon.
Bake single layer on greased sheetpan 300 deg 20 min.
Remove to cool on wax paper then break into clusters.
Where do you plan on getting your vanilla beans? Do you have a source for a good price?
The beans in the store are about $8 per and I am not spending that much money on them.