Vanilla Beans

At the bakeshop we soak dried vanilla beans in vanilla extract. Not only do the beans add extra flavor to and fortify the vanilla extract, but also it is easier to split a soaked vanilla bean pod than a dried one. To split a vanilla bean pod, take the tip of a paring knife and run it down the center of the pod from one end to the other. Split one end open and hold it down against a flat surface with thumb and index finger. Then take the blade of the paring knife and scrape along the split vanilla pod to extract all the seeds.