The Big Shop: what not to forget on your first trip to the supermarket

Whether you’re going with your parents, new friends, or on your own, your first big shop is a rite of passage as a uni student and a tradition on the first week’s to-do list. Scanning the shelves with newly independent eyes, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of no longer being tied down by mum’s shopping list - though you’ll soon be missing it, as you sift between the thousands of options and attempt to avoid the frustration of getting home and realising you’ve forgotten something crucial. This is especially painful as there isn’t a big supermarket in Newcastle city centre, and you’ll probably need to travel a bit further out.

So, here are some things to keep in mind that will make your life a lot easier.

Don’t be too optimistic – Everyone starts off excited to cook for themselves at uni, but be careful not to overestimate your motivation as a chef. Remember, it’s three meals a day, every day from now until Christmas. Trust me, the novelty soon wears off. There are bound to be days when you really can’t bring yourself to get a pan out of the cupboard, let alone prepare all the ingredients and then wash the dishes. There’s no harm in buying some easy freezer foods (if you have the space) or a couple of ready meals to prevent takeaways from eating away at your budget. I personally love a good potato waffle and chicken nugget combo!

Seasonings (aka your secret weapon) – There’s no such thing as being a bad cook, you just need the right seasonings. Otherwise, even perfectly cooked meals taste bland. You don’t need a fully stocked spice rack either; my go to staples are:

• Salt and pepper (obviously),
• Mixed herbs (perfect for pasta sauces),
• Garlic (either in powder or paste form),
• Chilli powder or flakes
• And finally, though it might sound weird, my biggest recommendation is celery salt. It doesn’t taste of much itself, but, like gravy on a roast dinner, it makes everything taste better.

Tin foil, it's boring but needed – Speaking from experience, please make sure you buy some tin foil! It took me almost a month to remember to buy some, and each time brought another week of scrubbing at baking trays. It’s the ultimate kitchen lifesaver. Packing a sandwich to save on a meal deal? Tin foil works great. Keeping leftovers covered in the fridge for tomorrow night? Tin foil can do that too. Haven’t got enough oven trays for your flat Christmas dinner? Tin foil does the job. Move over flatmates, tin foil is your new best friend.

Although I definitely recommend that you keep these things in mind for your first food shop, the best thing you can do is write yourself a list. And stick to it! Turns out, mum had it right all along.