To open a vanilla bean and extract its flavorful seeds, slice it lengthwise and scrape out the seeds.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
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Gather your supplies: You will need a vanilla bean, a paring knife (or any small, sharp knife), and a clean work surface.
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Prepare the vanilla bean: Lay the vanilla bean flat on your cutting board.
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Slice the bean: Using the tip of your knife, carefully slice the vanilla bean lengthwise down the middle. Be careful not to cut all the way through; you want to create a split, not two separate halves.
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Scrape out the seeds: Hold one end of the split vanilla bean. With the back of your knife (the dull side), gently scrape along the inside of each half of the bean. The tiny black vanilla seeds will come loose easily. You should be able to get almost all the seeds out with one good scrape.
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Use the seeds: Add the vanilla seeds to your recipe as directed.
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Don't discard the pod! The empty vanilla bean pod still contains plenty of flavor. You can use it to infuse flavor into sugar (vanilla sugar), milk (for custards or ice cream), or other liquids. Simply add the pod to the liquid and let it steep for a while. Remove the pod before serving or proceeding with your recipe. You can also rinse and dry the pod, then bury it in a sugar canister to infuse the sugar with vanilla flavor.
