Gone are the days where you would come home from school to tea waiting for you on the table and The Story of Tracy Beaker ready on TV. Aside from learning how to do your own laundry and devising a daily budget from your student loan, another adult responsibility that comes with the independence of university life is preparing your own meals. Unfortunately, the busy student schedule means it can be difficult to find the time to cook the meals you want. Plus, the weekly scrimp and save shop at Aldi is not exactly advantageous either. However, this does not mean that eating good food is off the table. Whether you enjoy cooking or not, the ten ingredients listed below are essential to any university kitchen and will provide you with the means to rustle up something that is at least edible, if not delicious!
Cooking Oil
It seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many students go to fry up some bacon for breakfast and realise they have nothing to coat the pan with. Cooking oil is a staple that can easily be forgotten. If possible, I would recommend getting a 5L bottle to keep in the cupboard and then divvying that up over a few months. That not only works out cheaper but seems to last a little bit longer, too.
Salt and Pepper
Nothing tastes quite right without salt and pepper. It is amazing to taste how even a small sprinkling can make a huge difference. Sometimes all the difference, in the case of chips! Similar to my suggestion with the oil above, having a bigger batch stored up is probably ideal. This ingredient is also quite an easy one that can be shared with flatmates.
Mixed dried herbs
Whether it is basil, oregano, rosemary, or something more obscure, having herbs on hand is the easiest way to ensure your meals are packed with flavour. Indeed, a mere pinch can turn any meal from a mess into a masterpiece. I would recommend a bag or shaker containing dried versions of the seasonings. While the plants taste a lot fresher, they are difficult to keep alive for long periods of time.
Mayonnaise
As someone who hates ketchup, my condiment of choice, without a doubt, is mayonnaise. However, over the years I have learnt that it is not only good for dipping your fries in, but also has many other valuable uses in the kitchen. For example, you can whip it up into a creamy alfredo sauce for your pasta or smother any meat in it before adding a crispy breadcrumb coat. And, of course, it is the best spread to make your sandwiches a little less dry.
Peanut butter
Another great spread that also has many culinary uses is peanut butter. This salty-sweet combination is the perfect basis for more exotic meals, such as a Thai curry or satay stir fry. There are also snack hacks, including being smeared on a slice of banana or toast, and sweet treats like cookies and brownies.
Pesto
Undeniably, pasta dishes are a vital part of the student experience. They are quick to whip up and can be made in bulk, which is great for planning out meals throughout the week. Plain pasta is never ideal. So I recommend keeping a jar of pesto on hand to add some extra flavour and moistness.
Soy Sauce
Aside from its obvious use as a condiment, soy sauce is also an adaptable ingredient. It serves as a great glaze or marinade on meats or vegetables, providing a nice tangy flavour to an otherwise basic meal. Surprisingly, I learnt that it also has the capabilities to baste a roast!
Noodles
You can also use soy sauce with our next ingredient: noodles. My favourite noodle dish to make is a stir-fry. In my opinion, nothing quite beats it. It is one of the most versatile dishes, because you can chuck in whatever is lying around and it will always taste good. Another great thing about noodles is that you can buy them in batches; especially if you make the most of the Super Noodles deal.
Soup Tins
As a student, it is easy to fall in the trap of being constantly on the go and missing meals as a result. One way to combat this is by having a stash of soup tins that can be quickly heated up and easily consumed as drinks in a flask. The warmth and comfort soup provides is enough for it to be a meal on its own; perhaps with a slice of bread or two to dip in it). But it is also a great winter snack.
Frozen Pizzas
This one is perhaps a bit of a cop-out. But when you’ve run out of things to cook or if you’re just having a really bad day and need a comfort meal, it is always useful to have something you can pull out of the freezer and stick in the oven. My personal go-to is usually a pizza. Not only is it large enough to fill you up, it also never misses in terms of deliciousness!
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