I use vanilla pods (beans) in many of my recipes. This is an easy way to split and scrape the seeds from inside the pod (bean).
Hold the end of afresh vanilla pod (bean) on a chopping board and run a sharp knife through the centre of the pod (bean) to cut it in half lengthways. (1)
Lay the halves cut side up and scrape the edge of the knife down the length of the open pod (bean). (2)
The vanilla seeds will collect on the knife and are ready to be added as instructed. The empty split pod (bean) is usually also added for extra flavour. (3)