Blog | Warren Nash

So you’re a couple of months into university life now and are having to fend for yourself! Check out our Student Survival Guide if your still struggling with some of the kitchen basics.

Equipment – Don’t go and buy a 12-piece crockery set, all you’re soon-to-be housemates will be doing the same. Then you’ll have one mighty large washing up problem!

However, there are a couple of things you should make sure you have. Invest in a casserole as this can be used for anything on the hob. And a good quality large knife – this will handle anything. More on utensils.

Planning – When writing your shopping list, plan what dinners you’re going to eat for that week – then you’ll know exactly what to get. You’ll also save from making endless trips to the corner shop for things you’ve forgotten.

Saving at the Supermarket – Don’t impulse buy at the local shop – they ARE more expensive. Do big shops at the supermarket once per week or fortnight. Don’t be frightened at the initial cost of bulk buying meat – it WILL pay off in next weeks food shop (remember to freeze the meat you don’t need that week).

Bulk Cooking (The REAL Money Saver) – You don’t have to be cooking for someone in order to bulk cook. If you can all cook for each other once a week then great, however, if you’re cooking just for yourself, cook simple recipes in bulk and freeze the leftovers. An extra freezer may come in extremely useful here. We know you need to save money, so log onto your local Freecycle Network as freezers are always going for free on here.

Before you know it, you’ll have stockpiled a whole host of dinners in your freezer ready to re-heat without any hassle.

Lunch Time – If you can, make sandwiches and take them into Uni wherever possible. Don’t worry, your student counterparts won’t look down on you for this.

Extending Shelf Life – If you’re going to be making smoothies, mix and chop the fruit and freeze the mixed fruit in separate sandwich bags. You can also chop and freeze veg and bread too.

Health and Nutrition – And if that’s not enough information to get you started cooking as a student, don’t forget the governments recommended Eatwell Plate. This will be even more important considering the amount of drink you’re likely to consume in the next 3-4 years!

Check out our Simple Student Recipes. And for Simple Cooking Tips, check out the rest or our Cooking Guides.