Don’t we all love vanilla extract. It’s been around, used by chefs and bakers alike, for hundreds of years. And whether it’s imitation vanilla or the real thing, it’s a powerful “flavor potentiator.”

A flavor potentiator is an ingredient that enhances our ability to taste other foods, including chocolate, coffee, fruit, and nuts. It also boosts our perception of sweetness and can even suppress cravings for sweets and sugar-loaded foods.

But besides being a flavor potentiator, vanilla has several other uses, making it truly indispensible! Whether using it around the home or on your person, as in baking, a little goes a long way. So the rule of thumb: It’s better to use less than too much (you can always add more if needed).

And there’s more good news. For most of these uses, imitation vanilla will work just fine, so save the good stuff for baking and use up the imitation vanilla extract on these ideas. That said, take a look at these clever ways to use vanilla extract and see if there’s something you haven’t thought of.

First, around the home:

• Vanilla can freshen the fridge. Just soak a cotton ball or a clean piece of sponge with vanilla extract and leave it in the refrigerator. And for a delicious way to clean, wipe your fridge down with a mixture of vanilla and peppermint.

• Vanilla can eliminate nasty odors from your microwave. Pour a little vanilla extract into a bowl and microwave on high for one minute to help get rid of any offending smells.

• Vanilla can help you sell your home. Dab a little extract on a few light bulbs throughout the house, turn on the lights, and your home will be filled with the alluring smell of baked goods!

• Vanilla creates a calming and relaxing atmosphere. Along the same lines as applying it to light bulbs, you can spray it over a basket of pine cones, creating an instant potpourri display.

Next, in personal use:

• Vanilla can ward off pesky mosquitoes. Simply apply a mixture of 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1 cup of water on your skin.

• Vanilla can soothe kitchen burns. The evaporation of the alcohol in the extract helps cool the burn, giving you quick relief.

• Vanilla is a natural, clean perfume. Dab a little onto your wrists or mix it coconut or almond oil for a natural and effective perfumed moisturizer.

• Vanilla can help with depression. Numerous studies show that vanilla extract has a positive effect on those suffering from depression. The recommendation is to sip vanilla flavored water or milk when sensing a bout coming on. It’s not just tasty, it’s calming.

• Vanilla can help with anxiety disorders, such as claustrophobia. Research from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York consistently shows that this aromatic spice is beneficial to the nervous system, thus minimizing anxieties of all sorts.

• Vanilla can relieve nausea. Simply add a few drops of vanilla extract to a glass of water and sip it slowly.

And when cooking or baking, don’t hesitate to get creative with vanilla. For instance, try adding it to baked squash, along with your standard cinnamon and brown sugar. It’s truly indispensible!

In closing, here’s a tried and true recipe/method for making your own vanilla extract. It’s easy and the best I’ve ever had (from www.beanilla.com):

HOMEMADE VANILLA

10 oz. glass bottle or jar.

8 vanilla beans.

1 cup vodka 70 proof/35% alcohol (or bourbon, rum or brandy; any brand/quality)

Slice each bean once long-ways and place in bottle. (If it helps to cut them into smaller, Tootsie Roll-sized pieces so they fit in the bottle more easily, go for it). Pour one cup of alcohol of your choice into bottle (no cheating now -- the whole cup needs to go into the bottle), completely submerging all vanilla beans. Place bottle in cool, dark location.

Shake bottle once or twice a week. Wait about 8 weeks. Store it at room temp and out of direct sunlight.

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