Here at Cooking Class, we know getting into cooking can be expensive, lots of fancy recipes with ingredients that you maybe only use a hand full of times. This isn’t practical for the limited cupboard space and budget that you have! So, we have come up with an easy affordable and accessible list of cupboard staples for any student. Although you might have to buy a couple of new things, we promise it’s worth it, and your cooking will be all the better for it!
Number 1 is seasoning: we recommend you have salt, pepper, a big tub of Italian seasoning and some chilli flakes to start off with. All of these are versatile and super useful for easy batch cooking. Pick them up from any supermarket, they’re pretty much the same anywhere!
Number 2 is basic carbs: pasta, jacket potatoes, and a big bag of rice. All of these will form the basis of hundreds of dishes. Learning to cook rice can feel daunting at first but with some practice you’ll get the hang of it, plus it is a fraction of the price of microwave, saving precious pounds.
Number 3 is stock: getting some stock cubes is always a good idea, they add depth of flavour to any dish you’re cooking whether it be risotto, chilli or making the base of noodle soup. Again, these are super cheap and really handy to have in the cupboard.
Number 4 is prepped garlic: Buy it in a squeezy tube or a jar, this stuff is brilliant for making the base of sauces, or even in avocado. It lasts for ages and saves you all the hassle of prepping fresh garlic. Definitely worth grabbing some for all your new dishes.
Number 5: we recommend getting yourself some tinned tomato’s and tomato puree. Like lots of the other ingredients above this will let you make your own sauces, this is great in terms of nutrition because it’s not full of preservatives or sugar like store brought, and its lets you customise to suit your taste exactly!
That’s our list, we’d love to know what your cupboard essentials would be- comment below or find us on socials. We have lots of recipes for you to follow with all of your newly bought ingredients, and top tips for setting weekly shopping budgets too. Plus, don’t forget to share your cooking creations with us!
