MAKE YOUR OWN VANILLA EXTRACT

It's super easy to make your own vanilla extract, but you have to be patient because really good vanilla extract takes two months to fully infuse. You will need a pint jar with a tight lid so that the alcohol will not evaporate. Make sure your jar is clean. With a sharp knife, cut 3 vanilla beans lengthwise leaving a little of the ends uncut. The beans will be cut down the center except for the very ends. Put the vanilla pods into the jar and push them down so the alcohol will cover them, then pour in 1 cup of bourbon or rum. I didn't have either bourbon or rum so I used vodka and it worked fine. Place in a cool, dark place like a closet or kitchen shelf and wait. Trust me it's worth the wait. The result will be the most wonderful, fragrant vanilla extract your senses have ever enjoyed. Strain and pour into a dark glass bottle. I transfer mine into a mini beer bottle with a tight lid.

You can make your own orange and lemon extracts by using vodka and citrus peels instead of vanilla. You can make your own coconut extract by adding fresh or dried grated coconut. You can make your own almond extract by adding 6 almonds. You can make mint extract using mint and vodka, ginger extract using ginger and vodka, chocolate extract using cacao beans or powder. You can even make a mixture of two or more to create your own special flavoring. I think I might try coconut and chocolate next time! Happy creating!