Recipe: Making Vanilla Extract

To make vanilla extract you need two things: vanilla beans and alcohol. Split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and then cut each half into four pieces. Place the pieces in a small clean bottle and add two tablespoons of vodka. Shake vigorously once a day for one month. After the month is up, carefully strain the vanilla extract as follows: pour one tablespoon of vodka through a small coffee filter. Discard this vodka. Pour the rest through the wet filter. You now have about one ounce of extract. This extract will not be as strong as the vanilla you buy at the supermarket, but you can make it stronger by repeating the process with a fresh vanilla bean using your first extract instead of fresh vodka. If you try this at home, don't forget to save the vanilla beans when you have removed them from the vodka. Dry them thoroughly and place them in a canister of sugar to make vanilla sugar.

from the HomeArts website.