Vanilla Pod, Madagascan

These are the lovely Madagascan bourbon vanilla pods.  With their full flavour and aroma, these pods can either be used whole or split to reveal their many aromatic seeds which can be scraped directly into your dish.  Whole vanilla pods can be re used a couple of times as long as they are washed and dried after each use.  If using the inside seeds, do not discard the rest as the whole pod can also be used.  Depending on the level of depth and intensity of flavour, you can cut the bean and use only a portion at a time.  Mix with caster sugar to make vanilla sugar or steep in vodka and keep forever for vanilla extract.