Student Kitchen Essentials: Quick Recipes with Pantry Staples

Navigating London as a student can be an exciting experience, but it often comes with a hectic schedule that leaves little time for elaborate cooking adventures. 

Whether you're rushing to lectures, buried under a pile of assignments, or simply craving a midnight snack, having a well-stocked pantry can be a lifesaver. While you may think you can survive on store-bought meals or snacks, you’ll soon realise that it's essential to have a few go-to pantry staples on hand to whip up quick and satisfying meals without the need to venture outside. Read on to explore some of the student kitchen essentials that will transform your cooking experience, and a couple of recipes you can whip up in a pinch! 

Essentials list:

• 🍽️ Pasta: A classic pantry staple that can be turned into a variety of dishes. From simple pasta with olive oil and herbs to more complex pasta bakes, it's a quick and satisfying option.
• 🍽️ Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. It's great for making quick satay sauces, adding flavour to stir-fries, or spreading on toast for a fast and filling snack.
• 🍽️ Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is a must-have for adding depth of flavour to stir-fries, marinades, and dressings. It's an essential ingredient in many Asian-inspired dishes and can transform a simple meal into something delicious.
• 🍽️ Canned Tomatoes or Tomato Paste: Tomatoes are incredibly versatile and can be used to make pasta sauces, chilli, soups, and stews. They're a great way to add a burst of flavour to your dishes.
• 🍽️ Canned Beans: Canned beans, such as black beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas, are excellent sources of protein and fibre. They can be added to salads, soups, or used to make quick and hearty bean-based dishes with minimal additional ingredients.
• 🍽️ Frozen Vegetables: While this may not seem like a popular choice, try stocking your freezer with a variety of vegetables like peas, corn, spinach, or mixed vegetables. They can be added to dishes or stir-fried for a quick burst of nutrition.
• 🍽️ Instant Noodles: While not the healthiest option, instant noodles are an emergency backup for when you need a hot meal in a matter of minutes.
• 🍽️ Olive Oil, Spices, and your favourite Sauce/Seasonings: Always useful to have on hand!

 Now that you’re well-stocked, here is a quick set of recipes you can whip up (and modify) using only these pantry staples:

Recipes

1.     Asian-inspired Dressing 🥡

1. Mix 1 tbsp of peanut butter, 1.5 tbsp of soy sauce, 1 tbsp of water, and a dash of any seasonings/sauces of your choice (salt/pepper/garlic powder/chili flakes/sriracha etc. would work great!) for a quick dressing.
2. Cook any noodles / frozen vegetables according to package instructions.
3. Pour the dressing/sauce over a salad, stir-fried vegetables, or noodles for a quick and nourishing meal.

2.     Tomato and Bean Soup 🍅

1. In a pot, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Add canned tomatoes and beans (undrained) to the pot.
2. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
3. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until heated through and the flavours meld. Enjoy!

3.     Quick Pasta 🍝

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside (don't forget to reserve some of the pasta water!)
2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and add any seasonings you have on hand (garlic powder, salt, pepper, chilli flakes).  Sauté for a minute.
3. If you're using canned tomatoes, add them to the pan and lightly crush them with a fork or spoon. If you're using tomato paste, dilute it with a little pasta water and add to the pan.
4. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or other spices if necessary.
5. Simmer the tomato sauce for about 5-10 minutes, toss in the cooked pasta, and serve! Optionally add some cheese if you have any on hand.

In the whirlwind of student life in London, these pantry staples are your secret to satisfying meals in a flash. With just a handful of ingredients and a pinch of creativity, you can transform your student kitchen into a hub of hassle-free dining. Enjoy your meal! 👨‍🍳