Dear Heloise: Many years ago, you published a recipe for VANILLA EXTRACT. I seem to recall that it involved letting a vanilla bean soak in liquor. Would you please repeat this recipe for me?—M.G.M. in Texas

You need several vanilla beans and a 1-liter bottle of vodka or rum. Insert one or two beans into the bottle of liquor and let it ferment for at least 30 days. If you want a stronger flavor, let it ferment longer. As you use the vanilla extract, add more liquor to replace what you use. When it becomes weak, just start a new one with fresh vanilla beans.—Heloise