Homemade Vanilla Extract

1 cup Vodka
2-3 Whole Vanilla Beans
Container with lid

Remove vanilla beans from their container and slightly slit each one open. You don't want the bean to loose it's valuable inner 'meat', you merely want to give the bean an opening for the vodka to seep into the pod and work it's magic. Place the beans into your container.

Next, you will want to pour your vodka into the jar making sure that your vanilla beans are fully submerged. You may need to bend the beans slightly to make sure they are completely covered with the vodka. 

Once the beans have been covered completely, close the lid to the jar or container and let sit for 6-8 weeks. Keep an eye on the beans to make sure they continually stay submerged. As long as the lid is in place you shouldn't loose any liquid. If not, you may need to replenish the vodka to keep the beans covered in the liquid.

Keep in mind that the longer you allow the vanilla beans to soak in the vodka the stronger the extract will be in flavor. Also, if you add in more beans the flavor will intensify as well. Your rule of thumb is 2-3 vanilla beans per 1 cup of vodka.