Homemade Vanilla Extract

I use a lot and I mean a lot of vanilla extract because I bake so often. I put vanilla extract in sponge cakes, butter cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, tarts, pancakes, waffles, ice cream, bread, mousse, panna cotta and the list goes on.
I have to buy these bottles of vanilla extracts oh so often. They are not cheap mind you. $20 plus for a small bottle. I will not make do with the imitation vanilla essence which is not made from vanilla beans at all.

I have been thinking of making my very own vanilla extract for a long time. So when my good friend went on a trip to Ubud, Bali, I took the opportunity to ask him to buy some vanilla pods for me. These vanilla pods from Bali are very reasonably priced compared to the ones from Madagascar, Tahiti and so on. He also bought a bottle of duty free Absolut Vodka from the airport for me.
So, now I can go on and embark on my project on making my own vanilla extract. It will be ready in about 2 months, much better if it sits for 6 months. I probably will write another post about the result in a few months time.

This is the first day of soaking

Vanilla Extract Recipe:

30g of Vanilla Pods (about 10)

250 ml of Vodka (40% proof)

1 air tight jar

Method:

Sterilize the jar

Wipe the vanilla pods clean, split it by slicing them across the whole pod but leave the ends uncut. Put them all into the jar and pour in the vodka. Put on the lid and give it a good shake and store it in the shade. Shake it daily for the first weeks. Then give a shake once or twice a week for the rest of the time making sure the beans are submerged in the liquor.

The vanilla extract should be ready after two months. Top up with Vodka now and then.

After 6 months, discard the pods and sieve & decant the extract into smaller bottles.