I prefer to make my own pure vanilla rather than buying it.

Here is the breakdown in price for store bought versus homemade GF pure vanilla:

• $7.17 for a 2 ounce/59 ml bottle of organic GF vanilla
• for 750 ml of this kind would cost $93.21

Versus

• $30 for Idol Grape Vodka – high quality, distilled 7 times and filtered 5 times
• $8 for 2 vanilla beans bought from Walmart (half the price I would pay for 1 bean at other grocery stores)
• Total cost for 750 ml of homemade vanilla would be $38

This recipe is easy to make but be sure to give it time for the flavor to blend.

• 1 bottle of Idol Grape Vodka – 750 ml
• 2 vanilla beans

You will have to pour out just a tiny bit of the vodka for the beans to fit without over flowing. Cut up the beans into small pieces. Make sure you use all of the bits that fall out. They are the most important part of the flavor. Add to the vodka and cover. Let sit for at least 1 month. The coloring will be very light, almost clear. The longer it sits the better the flavor and the darker it gets. I just used up the last of my bottle and it was very dark and flavorful. It had been sitting for almost a year.  The vanilla will last indefinitely. Whole vanilla beans that have been used in sauces or other liquids can be rinsed, thoroughly dried, and stored for reuse. I always transfer my beans to the next bottle and just add a new bean along with the old.

Try this recipe when your vanilla is done. Browned Butter Frosting Enjoy!

photo credit: stevendepolo

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When cooking Gluten Free, fresh spices are always best but sometimes not realistic. I use what I can from my little herb garden and then I purchase the rest.

I have to say I tend to use more dried herbs because it is easier to show my children what to use and not having them chopping herbs up yet. They do a lot of cooking and if I add fresh herbs to the mix I think they will start to get confused. They remember onion, garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and chives that is about all they can handle right now.

When purchasing dried herb mixes, I recommend going organic.

The prices are not that much higher and you are getting a better quality product. They are also more clearly labeled from what I have seen.  I do purchase such items like garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt and pepper from my local grocery store. I have never had a reaction and they are pure ingredients. Meaning nothing is mixed in the product.

Really it is the mixes you have to worry about the most. Here is what I recommend keeping in your spice/baking rack for cooking:

• Sea salt
• Pepper/pepper grinder
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Basil
• Oregano
• GF soup base
• Arrowroot or Tapioca starch for thickening
• Cornstarch
• Olive oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Canola oil
• GF soy sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Balsamic Vinegar
• White Cooking wine
• Cinnamon (great sprinkled on fresh fruit)
• White pepper
• Homemade seasoned salt
• Chives
• Celery Salt

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Related posts:

1. Home Made Super Seasoned Salt Recipe
2. Gluten Free Drunken Noodles
3. Gluten Free Creamy Potato Soup

I try not to use too many corn products because I get migraines from corn. I was using seasoned salt on everything I cooked so I developed a homemade version which I like even better plus it is corn free.

Super Seasoned Salt

Developed by Brenda Wilkey

• 2 tbl sea salt
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp tumeric
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp tapioca starch, arrowroot or potato starch

Mix all of the ingredients with a wire wisk and pore into your favorite shaker jar. We use this on almost everything except when I am using my garlic pepper mix. This recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled. I usually make enough to fill my shaker and I have a refill container in the cupboard so I never run out.

Related posts:

1. The Gluten Free Spices