Homemade vanilla extract

Serves:

Ingredients

• 4 vanilla bean
• 700 ml vodka

Method

Sterilise the bottles you plan to store the vanilla in by running through the dishwasher on a hot cycle, then leaving them to cool and dry on a clean rack.

Split the vanilla beans in half lengthways, and if your jars are small, cut them into smaller lengths as well. Divide the beans between your jars, adding more pieces to bigger jars and less to smaller jars. Each 200ml of liquid should have about 2 vanilla beans.

Decant the vodka between your jars, and then secure the lids and leave in a cool place for at least three weeks to infuse. Use as you normally would vanilla extract.

Serving Suggestions

Note

• Inexpensive vodka is best for this.
• Keep any small bottles and jars throughout the year, and then use them for gift giving.
• Store the vanilla in a cool place, for the best infusion.