Make Your Own Vanilla Extract

Here’s something that’s enjoyable and frugal at the same time — make your own vanilla extract! I’ve only done it once, using very simple instructions — 1/2 cup of vodka, and pieces of leftover vanilla bean pods (from recipes where I was required to scrape the beans off the pod). I put the jar in the back of my cupboard so I can forget about it for several months. It didn’t turn out as nice as my favorite vanilla (Penzey’s Double Strength) but it was okay for some simple cakes and cookies, and the occasional cup of hot chocolate. It may have been that there wasn’t enough bean left in the pod; plus I wasn’t using “premium vanilla beans” — I’m getting my next batch from our local co-op, somewhat discounted from here, which I’m splitting with a couple of gals. But this time I’ll be following a recipe to the letter, hopefully with better results: Here’s a simple one from Emeril. More info on vanilla from Joy of Baking. Another set of instructions from Frugal Shopper. I’ve also gotten advice from people about refilling the container with more vanilla beans and vodka as you go along, basically making it an ongoing, maintenance type thing (hey, like a sourdough starter!). Sounds good to me!