EXTRACT IT
Pure Vanilla Satisfaction
Making your own excellent vanilla extract is
practically effortless. BY MELISSA KRONENTHAL

Photography by Sam Murphy

Before you start jumping to all kinds of wrong conclusions about me, let me tell you what I don’t do. I don’t bake my own bread, roll my own pasta, or simmer my own stocks. I don’t make my own yogurt, cheese, beer, wine, or jam. I don’t grow my own vegetables or herbs. I don’t, as a matter of course, can, pickle, bottle, or preserve much of anything. If you imagine my fridge and shelves are full of anything other than what I bought at the supermarket last time I was there, I’m sorry to say you’re sorely mistaken.

I’ve told you all this not because I’m looking for your sympathy
(or scorn), but so you can better appreciate the following. I do
make my own vanilla extract, and if I can do it, I’m certain you
can, too.