Pure Vanilla Extract - Home Made

1 sterilized pint jar cap and cover.
6-10 good quality vanilla beans (I use 6 Penzeys  Madagascar Vanilla Beans)
1 pint cheap vodka * 80 proof or less

Chop vanilla beans into 1" pieces. Place in sterilized pint sized jar. Fill with vodka. Cover and store in cool dark place. Shake daily for 8 weeks. After 2 months but before 3 months time strain liquid through cheese cloth to remove the vanilla beans themselves. Store at room temperature in a dark cupboard.

*You can also use Bourbon, Rum or Brandy in place of Vodka

Don't toss the beans! Those Vanilla beans can still be put to good use. Let them dry and mix them with a cup or 5 of sugar to make vanilla sugar. The longer it sits the better it tastes.