MyDish.co.uk

We've all been there. You get home from work, gaze into your fridge and can't see a thing to eat. You're just about to call the local Chinese takeaway and spend £15 you really shouldn't.... but have you really looked at what you have in stock? Have a look through your cupboards, have you got any pasta? Perhaps a tin of tuna is lurking, waiting to be used up. If you have some olive oil and seasonings, you can quickly whip up a supper. But to make sure you can always put together a tasty meal, here are some store cupboard essentials that will help you save tons of money on unnecessary takeaways.

Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is best for quality and flavour but if the budget won't stretch that far, regular olive oil if fine. As well as being beneficial to your health, olive oil is a great staple for salad dressings and marinades.

Eggs
Buy some Free range eggs and you can easily create a meal in no time.

Dried pasta
Spaghetti, macarroni and penne are all good staples, but there are plenty of options to choose from - take a look in your local supermarket.

Dried Noodles
Egg noodles are a great standby and bulk out a vegetable stir-fry to make a substantial meal.

Rice
Getting a bit more expensive, but still essential for many dishes and helps bulk up meals.

Tinned tomatoes
Essential for so many dishes. Where would Spag bol, or chili be without the trust tinned tomatoes. Value brands are just as good as premium quality, once you add your seasonings, so buy a few tins to have in stock.

Tinned Fish
Tuna, salmon and anchovies are ideal foods to store.

Pulses
Kidney beans and chickpeas are great value and can be added to curries, chilies and stews, don't forget your baked beans. Heated up with some toast and cheese, and you have a perfect quick snack!

Tomato Ketchup
Whether you douse your chips with it, or add it to your bolognaise sauce, most of us have some at home,

Soy Sauce
This is essential for stir-fries and for adding a salty flavour to dressings and marinades. You'll also be looking for this when you order a Chinese takeaway.

Salt and Pepper
If a kitchen has nothing else, it should at least contain salt and pepper! It's worth spending a little more on freshly ground black pepper, as the flavour is more intense.

Tomato Purée
A must have item for tomato based sauces or as a quick base to your homemade pizza.

Dried Mixed Herbs/Spices
It's always good to have some herbs in stock, you can get hold of them for pennies in the supermarket. If you do have some garden space or a windowsill, try and grow some fresh - nothing beats the taste of freshly cut herbs.
Spices for curries, chili are great value if you're able to buy from an Asian supermarket. You can normally buy large quantities at low prices.