The Real Stuff

Here's a recipe for homemade vanilla. Take a knife, and with the tip, slice a vanilla bean down the middle. Put it in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and pour in 3/4 cup of 100 proof vodka. Let it sit, undisturbed, for 30 days. It is used just as regular vanilla in any recipe. The flavor is stronger and more intense.

We went to the health-food store and bought two vanilla beans ($4 each, yikes!). We ventured into the ABC store for the 100 proof vodka ($10, yikes!). The small bottle of vodka will make two small jars of vanilla, or you could use the whole bottle and put two beans in it. I divided mine. Brenda's got the other half and the other bean. The woman who gave me the recipe says that she buys her beans from Madagascar - I'm sure they cost more than $4 each! She's also going to make her next batch with brandy instead of vodka. She also said that when the vanilla is all gone, to take the bean out and put it in my sugar canister. It will make the sugar even better. I think I'll put half the sugar in another container and put the bean in that one, just to try it.

I've always bought the cheaper, imitation vanilla because the real stuff costs so much. Ha! Now I'm spending about $10 for 3/4 a cup? Color me crazy.