I love to bake and one thing I need a lot of is Vanilla Extract.  Here you can find vanilla in tiny glass vials but it is just not the same as home.  The powder sugar and baking powder can also have some added vanilla but it is just not like what I was used to using.  So I decided to make my own vanilla extract.  It is so easy and simple I should have done it when I was living at home in the US.

You need 200 ml or so jar, for that size 5 vanilla beans, and alcohol (I used vodka).  Take the beans cut to fit the jar and slice open. Place in the jar.  Then add the alcohol.  Shake well and store in a cool dark place.  Every week for a month shake the jar to mix.  Then after about 2 months you will smell the lovely aroma of vanilla.  You can start using at this point but the longer it sits the better.  You just keep filling the jar with bean pods (left over from using the seeds) and vodka to top off.  You do not have to remove the old beans until it is so filled with pods.  Very easy and the taste of real vanilla extract.

My next to make and see how well it works is vanilla paste.  I am going to try this recipe.

Homemade Vanilla Paste : by http://dessertswithbenefits.com