BTKW Tips: Using Leftover Vanilla Pods

After you have scraped the seeds from a fresh vanilla pod, don't through it away! There is still a lot of fresh vanilla flavor left in the pod that can be used in your recipes. Fresh vanilla is expensive, it only makes sense to try to use the whole thing.

There a couple of things that I like to do with leftover pods. The first is to make vanilla-scented sugar. To do this, simply place the leftover pods into a container with granulated sugar. Stick the pods down into the sugar, and in 24 hours you will have sugar that is enticingly perfumed with the essence of vanilla. You can use this sugar in your baking, or just in your morning coffee.

Another thing that I like to do is make my own vanilla extract. To do this, simple take a 750 ml. bottle of vodka and drop 6 to 8 leftover vanilla pods into it. Let it sit for 1 month, and you will have your own vanilla extract. Obviously, the more pods you use the stronger the vanilla flavor will be. I also like to do this with kirsch (cherry brandy). This will give you a cherry-vanilla that is great in Alsatian or Central European desserts.