Tips for Students Cooking for the First Time

student cookingCooking at college doesn’t mean settling for boring, bland food or having to buy expensive take-aways. With a few key tools you can cook for one or twenty people with ease and for less.  www.ilovecooking.ie has put together these useful tips that will help you get organised so that you can cook with ease and from scratch in the fastest possible time.

7 MONEY SAVING TIPS WHEN BUYING FOOD

  1. Make sure you are not hungry when shopping for food or you will be buy more than you need.
  1. Make a list and stick to it.
  1. Choose foods such as vegetables and fruit when they are in season otherwise you will pay more
  1. Visit the supermarket only once a week otherwise you will be tempted to buy more than you can afford.
  1. Buy wisely and in bulk but be careful when it comes to fresh herbs and vegetables as you will need to use them within days before they spoil
  1. Make use of shopping discount vouchers or coupons and become aware of special offers and the days for discount items.
  1. Look for own brand foods – they are cheaper and save you a fortune.

KITCHEN KIT

Wok Buy a large non-stick wok for cooking stir fries, curries or for poaching fish and meat.

Frying pan A large non-stick pan with high sides is a must and can be used instead of a wok for smaller quantities

Large Saucepan A heavy bottomed saucepan is useful for most things such as stews and pastas and if you get one with an oven-friendly lid it can be used to cook casseroles.

Large Knife

Get one that you can use for everything i.e. cutting bread, chopping and peeling vegetables.

Chopping Board Buy two plastic chopping boards as they are easier to clean – one for meat and the other for vegetables.

Tupperware Buy a set of plastic storage containers suitable for freezing leftovers and for portable lunches.

Hand Blender Cheap and handy for soups, smoothies, vegetables purees and soups.

Tin & Bottle opener – get one that is easy to use

KITCHEN CUPBOARD ESSENTIALS

If your kitchen cupboard is properly stocked you will always be able to rustle up a meal in 30 minutes or less.  Make sure you stock up well with the following basics

Store Cupboard

Olive Oil

Sunflower Oil

Sesame Oil

White wine vinegar

Balsamic Vinegar

Wholegrain mustard

Dijon mustard

Tomato ketchup

Soya sauce

Oyster sauce

Plum sauce

Worchester sauce

Mayonnaise

Tinned coconut milk

Sweet chilli sauce

Honey

Maple Syrup

Tinned tomatoes

Tomato Passata

Tomato puree

Tinned Tuna/salmon

Tinned beans

Couscous

Dried Pasta/Noodles/Rice

Lemon juice

Baking

Cornflour

Plain Flour

Strong white (for pizza bases)

Dried yeast

Wholewheat flour

Baking powder

Bicarbonate of soda

Icing sugar

Castor sugar

Brown sugar

Cocoa powder

Spices starter kit

Ground cumin

Ground coriander

Ginger

Dried oregano

Parsley

Thyme

Ground cinnamon

Curry powder

Smoked paprika

Chinese 5-spice powder

Sea salt

Black pepper

Dried Parmesan cheese

Dried garlic granules

In your freezer

Peas

Sweetcorn

Mixed berries

Prawns

Chicken breasts

Frozen pastry

Breadcrumbs

Brown Bread

In your fridge

Block of cheese (cheaper and you get more for your Euro)

Chorizo

Peppers

Onions

Potatoes

Tomatoes

Eggs

Garlic

 

Courtesy of www.ilovecooking.ie, Ireland’s leading tried & tested recipe website

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