The Bean That Keeps On Giving...

No, it's not altruistic, but dependable and reliable through and through, our good old friend the vanilla bean. How many bucks have you shelled out for pure vanilla extract (urban domestic girls don't use that imitation extract, it lies and cheats)? Well no more! Rid yourself of expensive vanilla extract and make your own. Hold on to your chair, this is revolutionary.

Vanilla Extract

3 vanilla beans

1 cup of bourbon or vodka

1 Eight ounce glass bottle (purchase from your health food store or reuse an old bottle)

Split the vanilla beans in half, leaving the last 1" intact.

Place all three split vanilla beans in 8 oz bottle. Fill up the bottle with bourbon or vodka (I prefer an eco-friendly or local spirit) and leave for two months to marinate, shaking every so often.

When the bottle gets down to half-way, refill with bourbon or vodka. Use and refill, simple as that. Now don't you feel thrifty?