how to make vanilla extract.

I use vanilla extract often, so much that I go through the tiny bottles pretty fast. Two things inspired me to finally make my own. For starters, I saw a recipe in one of my issues of Bust a while back. I ripped out the magazine article and had it pinned on my message board and swore to try it for over a year. Well, somehow I lost the recipe and had to find and alter other ones. And finally, my second inspiration were the free vanilla beans I get from an ice cream shop in SF. This place has .99 cent organic froyo, and for every purchase you get a nice plump vanilla bean! Crazy right?! Well, I go out of my way every time to this place just for the free vanilla bean and suddenly, I had more than plenty to make this. 


How to make vanilla extract.


What you'll need:


-3 vanilla beans
-1 cup of vodka
-a glass jar or bottle with a tight fitting lid.


What to do:


1. Use kitchen scissors or a sharp knife to cut lengthwise down each vanilla bean, splitting them in half, leaving an inch at the end connected.


2. Then put your vanilla beans in a glass jar or bottle with a tight fitting lid (mason jars work well). I reused a kombucha bottle, the beans fit perfectly in there. Now cover completely with the vodka.


3. Now, give your bottle a good shake every once in a while. Store it in a dark, cool place for 2 months or longer.


Apparently, this can last you for years. This is my first time doing this so we;ll see! Just keep topping it off with vodka once in a while as you use it, always remember to give it a good shake.