Ross@home wrote:

>On Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:53:13 -0400, "Steve Freides" >
>wrote:
>
>>My sister describes the following procedure for making her own vanilla
>>extract; I'm curious as to what folks here think and if anyone else has
>>tried this or similar.
>>
>>Ingredients - 750ml bottle of inexpensive brandy, 2 vanilla beans.
>>
>>Procedure - split but do not scrape both vanilla beans, place them whole
>>into the bottle of brandy and just leave them there, waiting at least
>>one full day before using.

-snip-
>
>I started a batch of vanilla extract in October 2010 but it used a lot
>more vanilla beans and took a lot longer than your sister's version.
>I don't think 1 day is near long enough to allow any amount of
>extraction.

I didn't even notice the particulars- but I agree with you on both
counts-- I generally use 3-4 beans in 2-3ml of vodka.

>I don't remember where I found the recipe but, here's my version:
>
>1.14 liter bottle of Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon
>12 Madagascar vanilla beans

Which appears to be roughly what you use-- The beans don't get
wasted. If there is still flavor there when the alcohol is gone--
the scrapings go into ice cream or cookies.

Jim