Store-bought condiments and staples are perfectly fine, but sometimes it’s nice to make them from scratch. The items in this chapter are used in recipes throughout the book, and I make all of them frequently in my own kitchen. Crème Fraîche is one I like to have on hand at all times, and Vanilla Extract is a fun project that is also cost-effective. Many of these items also make great gifts; the Flavored Sugars can be placed in decorative jars and given away, and the Caramel Sauce would be lovely to bring to a neighbor or a housewarming party.