Knock out the Basics
Buy a chef’s knife, and keep it sharp. This will be your best friend in the kitchen. A sharpening steel [honing rod] can be used to extend the sharpness of your knife. Knife safety is a must in any kitchen, but speed will come eventually. Alexander Ball, caterer and baker says “Don’t cut your fingers off, but you don’t need to get fancy.” Expensive specialized tools can be replaced by the simple chef’s knife and a bit of elbow grease. Preheating pans, and using oils with high smoke points are invaluable as well. Andrew Rea’s series “Basics with Babish,” is a wonderful way to expand your skill set in an well developed format.
Get the Right Equipment
When looking for kitchen equipment, especially to fit into a dorm room or newly furnished apartment, check places you might not think of normally. You can find small appliances like blenders, microwaves, toasters and toaster ovens for pennies on the dollar at thrift stores or even Facebook marketplace. You can find cookware, and flatware at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Cast iron skillets and heavy duty cookware can be found at local scrap yards extremely cheaply, and can easily be refurbished.
Spicy, Spiced, Spices.
Spices are a bit on the expensive side, but you don’t need to buy them all at once. Picking up a specific spice or two depending on what you’re cooking spaces them out fairly well. Smaller grocers like Aldi or Trader Joe’s carry cheap and decent quality spices. They last through a great deal of recipes, and are extremely shelf stable. “An investment in your culinary future,” says Ball. They’ll spice up your life!
Don’t be afraid of Starch
When eating on the cheap, starches are your best friend. Make a simple sauce or bone broth in a stock pot, and you can stretch it out with some pasta. Have some chicken breast or a couple eggs? Throw some rice on the stove and make fried rice. Very simple meals can be stretched much further with grains, potatoes, and rice. Only have pasta and butter on hand? Run to the store and grab a zucchini for some brown butter zucchini pasta. The world is your oyster.
Plan, prep, perfect
Look up some recipes. Frankie Celenza’s series “Struggle Meals,” is a spectacular place to start. All recipes included have total serving sizes under $2. Browse recipes, and plan your meals ahead of time. Make lists and go for it. Planning makes it easier to eat better, and decreases your cook times if you do your prep beforehand. Most importantly, if you think something would make a dish fit your palette better, do it! Expand your horizons!