Instructions

1

Hold the vanilla pod on a cutting board with one hand and insert the point of a paring knife into the end of the pod.
2

Run the point of the knife gently down the length of the vanilla pod. Press hard enough to slice through the outer pod, but not to go all the way through the other side.
3

Open the pod up, turn the knife sideways and run the blade down the length of it to scrape out the vanilla beans. They will bunch up on your knife like brown, gritty toothpaste.
4

Add the vanilla beans to puddings, homemade ice cream or other desserts that call for vanilla extract.
5

Add used pods to a jar of sugar and leave fort several days to make vanilla sugar.
6

Place two to three vanilla pods in a jar with about 8 oz. of vodka to make a homemade vanilla extract.