tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post2634711958176790528..comments2024-03-29T02:29:53.557-07:00Comments on ciao samin: Something Out of Nothing: Homemade Almond Extractsaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10581019764819768286noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-37465131122590289392015-01-18T09:43:26.042-08:002015-01-18T09:43:26.042-08:00Cherry pits also contain cyanide. I wouldn't u...Cherry pits also contain cyanide. I wouldn't use more than a small amount to flavor things. I would not drink it as a cordial. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-70408304454468267112014-09-08T22:12:57.235-07:002014-09-08T22:12:57.235-07:00Have you tried it with peaches? Would plums be in...Have you tried it with peaches? Would plums be included since they have pits? My daughter eats plums like crazy, and peaches..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-88161618903534885872014-07-01T21:50:12.296-07:002014-07-01T21:50:12.296-07:00I think sour cherry pits would work just fine! Wh...I think sour cherry pits would work just fine! Where are you? I would die for an abundance of sour cherries! Saminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02643950763239997419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-36121802828165172942014-07-01T20:09:14.972-07:002014-07-01T20:09:14.972-07:00When using cherry pits, is there any variety of ch...When using cherry pits, is there any variety of cherry that is best? We have a lot of sour cherries growing around here right now. Would they work as well or should I use sweet cherries (which I would MUCH rather eat anyway).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-89254041465693167812013-12-30T08:26:06.786-08:002013-12-30T08:26:06.786-08:00You can experiment with your extract! Substitute i...You can experiment with your extract! Substitute it for vanilla in anything that you think would be good with an almond flavor - cookies, coffee cake, cake, frosting - the sky is the limit! Almond is my favorite flavoring, and has been since I was a kid, so I use it in everything and can't WAIT to make my own! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-17965339288002861092013-12-11T17:59:07.390-08:002013-12-11T17:59:07.390-08:00Hi hi hi hi hi! I'm sure yours is ready!
I&#...Hi hi hi hi hi! I'm sure yours is ready! <br /><br />I've been putting a few drops in whipping cream to serve with cakes and tarts. It's delicious in caramel sauce, too (a few drops in burnt caramels is insanely good!). It'd be really tasty in almond cake. I often put a splash in my frangipane that I use at the base of apple tarts. Basically, use it anywhere almond extract would be used!<br /><br />Here are some favorite recipes:<br />http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2008/10/paris-a-deep-dark-salted-butter-caramel-sauce/ (add a splash at the end)<br />http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2010/06/almond-cake-recipe/ (use instead of the almond extract) <br />http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2010/01/salted-butter-caramels/ (add a splash along with the butter)<br />http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2012/10/apple-cider-caramels-the-book-is-here/ (leave out the cinnamon and add a splash of noyau extract instead)<br />http://supperinstereo.wordpress.com/2007/11/23/vanilla-bean-pots-de-creme-with-cocoa-shortbread-cookies/ (put a few drops in the custard, or in ice cream base!!!) <br /><br />I also just open the jar and take a deep whiff every once in a while to make myself feel good about life.<br />Saminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02643950763239997419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-69212175236958305522013-12-11T15:17:00.345-08:002013-12-11T15:17:00.345-08:00Do you have any recommendations for uses and recip...Do you have any recommendations for uses and recipes once extract is ripe and ready to use? I started mine back in July and I believe it is time to dive in.<br />Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17613288192207177160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-86865017292947936322013-12-02T08:12:46.853-08:002013-12-02T08:12:46.853-08:00Fresh, though I suppose if you were to find dried ...Fresh, though I suppose if you were to find dried apricots with the pits intact, then you could remove the noyau and use them!Saminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02643950763239997419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-86968554559532190092013-12-02T07:39:56.565-08:002013-12-02T07:39:56.565-08:00Dried apricots or fresh apricots?Dried apricots or fresh apricots?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-62485525216603509762013-08-21T06:24:34.276-07:002013-08-21T06:24:34.276-07:00Can you just use apricot kernels from the store? ...Can you just use apricot kernels from the store? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-17725674909855841782013-07-22T12:04:58.222-07:002013-07-22T12:04:58.222-07:00Margo, you're totally right on the add as you ...Margo, you're totally right on the add as you go theory, and as for the cherry pits, no cracking needed!<br /><br />Best of luck!<br />sSaminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02643950763239997419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-27248886998543210752013-07-22T11:01:16.770-07:002013-07-22T11:01:16.770-07:00I want to do this, as it's peach and apricot s...I want to do this, as it's peach and apricot season here (missed the cherry season! - but I do have a question: you can just drop in the cherry pits as they are, or is there an inner kernel that must be extracted??).<br /><br />So, I'm thinking I'm going to drop the noyaux into the jar of vodka as I acquire them, rather than freezing them. I have 3 collected in the fridge already. I mean, all the noyaux have to do is marinate in there for months, so it can't hurt that some are in longer than others. . . right?Margohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16345165456341197559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-61922110046116272532013-07-17T13:40:27.253-07:002013-07-17T13:40:27.253-07:00And just to be clear, dark bottles better preserve...And just to be clear, dark bottles better preserve the volatile chemical compounds (i.e. the smells and flavors) of the extract since they don't let in as much light as clear glass. Saminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02643950763239997419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-21106938050399544992013-07-17T13:36:54.460-07:002013-07-17T13:36:54.460-07:00Hi Kelley!
Thanks for your comment. Let's se...Hi Kelley!<br /><br />Thanks for your comment. Let's see:<br />1) I just included almonds the first year because I had really lovely, fragrant ones, and my noyaux count was limited. If you have enough noyaux, you totally don't need to do it.<br /><br />2) Dark bottles keep things fresher longer, but if you don't have a dark bottle handy, then just put your bottle in a paper bag, or make sure to keep the bottle in a dark cupboard.<br /><br />3) I'm sure your apricots were fine! Sometimes noyaux are more fragrant and sometimes less so. But if you have any doubts, then just add more pits!<br /><br />Good luck, and let me know how it goes!<br />Samin<br /><br />Saminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02643950763239997419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-27993305698488786862013-07-15T17:16:08.908-07:002013-07-15T17:16:08.908-07:00First off, let me just say that I am AMAZED by thi...First off, let me just say that I am AMAZED by this, so much so that I am making TWO batches of almond extract...one with the noyaux from apricot pits and one with the noyaux from cherry pits. But I have a couple of questions:<br /><br />1. In the text above, you said that you combined the apricot pits with almonds and vodka but in the recipe you wrote out there is no mention of almonds. Do I need to include any?<br />2. What is the reason for using a dark bottle?<br />3. Should the noyaux be fragrant? I ask because the cherry noyaux gave off a faint almondy scent, whereas the apricot noyaux didn't...at all. Just curious if I somehow got "bad" apricots.<br /><br />Thanks so much for your help...and for your post!!kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07713650868098060526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-74441255727273498072013-06-24T21:15:02.081-07:002013-06-24T21:15:02.081-07:00YES! Cherry pits might actually be the most delic...YES! Cherry pits might actually be the most delicious of all! But I never dare recommend that for worry that people might literally laugh in my face. Don't worry about cyanide--just don't drink a gallon of the rum at once and you'll be fine! So glad you're using it all up!<br />Saminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02643950763239997419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-56438928571824978662013-06-24T16:08:53.060-07:002013-06-24T16:08:53.060-07:00I pitted A LOT of cherries last year and saved the...I pitted A LOT of cherries last year and saved the pits. I used them to infuse rum, as well as vodka. Both have that same amaretto flavor! I don't even like amaretto/marzipan/etc., but this was delicious, very subtle almond flavor. I haven't seen anything about cyanide in the cherry pits, but now I'm worried (but still alive!).Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-3272192202335178352013-06-19T16:00:06.684-07:002013-06-19T16:00:06.684-07:00Yep, Melly, that's what I do, too. They are e...Yep, Melly, that's what I do, too. They are even easier to crack after they've been frozen, too!<br />Saminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02643950763239997419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-56073513274486077642013-06-19T15:59:34.435-07:002013-06-19T15:59:34.435-07:00Ha! Thanks for the kind words, Shari! Can't ...Ha! Thanks for the kind words, Shari! Can't wait to see you soon out in the food world!Saminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02643950763239997419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-71489294900664221432013-06-19T08:59:19.072-07:002013-06-19T08:59:19.072-07:00I've been saving pits since last year. I may ...I've been saving pits since last year. I may have about 15 now... (clearly I need to befriend someone with an apricot tree) When I put them in the freezer I leave the outer shell pit intact, I figure that the extra shell will protect the seed freezer burn. Thanks for taking the time to write this post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09111353131421654851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-22899593114957116012013-06-15T14:24:17.690-07:002013-06-15T14:24:17.690-07:00Ha! I just bought a bunch of apricots and was look...Ha! I just bought a bunch of apricots and was looking for guidance on how to make homemade almond extract using the noyaux. I was so happy my search sent me here, great timing!<br /><br />I'm finishing up at Bar Tartine in two weeks, then SFCS graduation. Your classes there are missed!<br /><br />Also: fig shrub in the works. But strawberry is the best one yet (http://www.porkcracklins.net/2013/06/strawberry-balsamic-shrub/).Sherihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04823897102038094722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-33831441388390552472013-06-12T14:19:17.311-07:002013-06-12T14:19:17.311-07:00Hi!
I'm not sure if this recipe will make it i...Hi!<br />I'm not sure if this recipe will make it in--probably not, actually, because it's not about Salt, Fat, Acid or Heat! But I'm working on my book full time now. It'll be out in the spring of 2015! Seems far away, but actually the proximity is freaking me out! I'll keep posting here in the meantime, and after I finish writing I'll start teaching all over the place again next year. Thanks so much for your kind words!Saminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02643950763239997419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-41168710714973310802013-06-12T14:10:39.352-07:002013-06-12T14:10:39.352-07:00Will this recipe be in your book. After reading C...Will this recipe be in your book. After reading Cooking, I am anxious to have your book. Is there a release date?Calfoodie.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08669324480439952952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-42743797551051955322013-06-12T14:04:56.437-07:002013-06-12T14:04:56.437-07:00Bowen, I have no idea! If your allergy isn't ...Bowen, I have no idea! If your allergy isn't super serious, then maybe it's worth a shot. But I don't want to be the cause of your pain or illness!<br />Saminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02643950763239997419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6439398.post-72756317869366465702013-06-12T13:41:13.346-07:002013-06-12T13:41:13.346-07:00Any idea if I can do this if I'm allergic to a...Any idea if I can do this if I'm allergic to almonds? I've always wondered if I can do things flavored with the various pits ... Bowenhttp://www.bowenappetit.comnoreply@blogger.com