Step 1

Use a paring knife to carefully split each vanilla bean down the middle lengthwise, cutting halfway through the bean so that the seeds are exposed.

Step 2

Place the vanilla beans in a glass jar or small bottle.  Pour in the vodka and submerge the beans so that that they are covered.  Place a lid on the jar/bottle, and give it a gentle shake.

Step 3

Store in a dark place for at least 8 weeks, until the vanilla is a dark amber color.

Step 4

Use in any recipes that call for vanilla extract.  If you would like to strain out the vanilla bean seeds, you can do so with a fine-mesh strainer.  But I recommend leaving the vanilla beans with their seeds in the jar.  That way, you can continue to gradually refill the bottle with more vodka as you use the vanilla extract.  (The beans will last for at least two batches of vanilla extract.)