Make homemade vanilla (vodka and beans, steep for about 6 weeks) I've attached the "recipe". I made two HUGE vodka bottles (I don't drink I don't know the size)...and then put into bottles and gave as Christmas gifts this year..along with Vanilla Sugar.

Vanilla sugar
Use about 6-8 beans...cut in half, split up center..bury in your sugar container. Shake every other day or so..in about 2 weeks you'll have vanilla sugar. I use it in my Tea, and othres have said that if you make cookies that you roll in sugar, this adds a wonderful taste. (I've also used it to make cookies..still add my other vanilla).

Triple bag the beans, put them in your cupboard, they'll last a year or more. DO NOT.. refrigerate or freeze them!

Remember too..the beans are NOT used up once used..If you make vanilla, you can keep adding vodka and as long as the beans make it brown, they're good. When they stop turning the vodka color, they're used up (This could take YEARS). If you use them in say custard...take the used pod, throw it into your vanilla sugar.

Vickey-MN

Here is a link that might be useful: Home made vanilla

Renee, where did he order them from? I make my own cooking vanilla and would like to find them in quantity.

You can find them on eBay at a very good price.

Vickey

Can you provide a link to the seller for we old, feeble-minded, computer-challenged folks (like me!)? Thanks!

If you haven't tried vanilla sugar, it is very good and so easy to keep on hand. It's great for baking and custards. The beans last a fairly long time. I just add more sugar as I use some and replace the beans only when I notice that the flavor is growing a bit weak.

He got them through Spicy World on Amazon. They are vacuum packed in plastic and then wrapped in more plastic and you can still smell them! I just don't know what we are going to do with 1/2 pound of vanilla beans!! :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans

I use 15 split beans in one 750 ml bottle of vodka. If you're making it, there's no point in making it weak, IMO.

I go through about 2 bottles that size a year, so it wouldn't take me long to use up the ones you have--LOL.

Now, aside from making vanilla, you can scrape out the seeds and add to: ice cream, cheesecake, custard, flan, cakes, cookies, muffins, frostings, whipped cream. I often toss a vanilla bean into pudding or custard as I cook it so it flavors it, then remove the bean before chilling.

I'm curious--how many vanilla beans are in a half pound? I generally buy mind from Penzeys. At the moment, 15 of their nice beans are running around $30--they're of extremely high quality.

One pound here (LOTS of beans) is less than $30,amazon 1/2 pound is the same amount....just an FYI

Here is a link that might be useful: Vanilla Bean Products on E-bay

I bought a pound and there are A LOT. Seriously way more than 30....we're guessing 60 or more!

Vickey-MN