Food - Stock Cupboard

Shop sensibly and budget yourself to the basics. Do your own cooking, this saves money & time and is far healthier!

Pantry Basics

Nutritious, easy to use everyday staples to use in cooking.

• Baking Powder.
• Bi-Carbonate of Soda.
• Flour, Plain, Self-Raising, Soy, Wholemeal.
• Fruit – Jar, Tinned. (Apple, Apricot, Peaches, Pineapple)
• Herbs & Spices – Basil, Chilli Powder, Cinnamon, Curry Powder, Nutmeg, Oregano, Parsley, Paprika, Pepper, Sage, Salt.
• Olive oil, cooking spray oil and/or peanut oil
• Packet noodles
• Pasta – All varieties.
• Pepper
• Rice – Arborio, Brown, Jasmine, Long Grain, Short Grain.  We also recommend Cous Cous.
• Salt
• Sauces – Soy, Mushroom, Oyster, Fish, Tomato
• Soup – Packet, Tinned. (Tomato, Chicken, Beef)
• Stock Cubes – Chicken, Beef, Vegetable (for flavouring your dishes).
• Sugar – Brown, White.
• Tinned beans – Baked Beans, Lentils, Kidney Beans, Four Bean Mix, Chickpea (look out for GM free kind).
• Tinned tomatoes
• Tomato paste – Jar, Sachet, Snack Tubs, Tube.
• Vegetables (especially Potatoes, Garlic, Onions)
• Vinegar – Balsamic, Brown, Cider, White. 

Fridge/Freezer

• Bread
• Frozen vegetables
• Margarine
• Milk
• If a meat eater – chicken fillets, mince, steak
• If not vegan – cheese, eggs, milk, mayonnaise

Quicktips:

• Try and buy in bulk when they are on special.
• Be prepared to shop around.
• If you are really on a tight budget, go during the last hour/hour and a half before closing as most vendors heavily discount their vegetables and fruit.  It’s not usually the best quality but it is cheap!
• Go to the Asian grocery stores. They sell a huge assortment of herbs/spices/noodles/rice and some fruit and vegetables.
• Plant a herb garden. Whether you live in a flat or a house, just throw a few seeds in a pot and water and fertilise.  You’ll be able to provide extra flavour for very little.
• Carrots and zucchini may be grown in pots, just allow them plenty of light.
• Good recipe books include Jamie Oliver’s Naked Chef series (or even watch the shows on TV!).  They are good, quick, simple recipes that are tasty and healthy.