If you really want to make use of all of the special discounts at your local supermarket, stocking up on non-perishable goods is the way to go. Non-perishables are essentially canned, dry or dehydrated foods that won’t expire even if a zombie apocalypse hits (warning: still check the expiration dates just in case!). These foods will (hopefully) last you from first year to third and are great when you’re whipping up an impromptu meal.
1) Rice
If you don’t already have some type of rice at home, it’s time to go buy some. Rice is the perfect carbohydrate that pairs well with any meal, especially if you get hungry from just eating protein and veggies. Jasmine rice is great as you can buy it in kilograms to last you for a number of months without instant expiration. If you’re more health-conscious, try brown rice as an alternative. And don’t fear if you don’t have a rice cooker. After washing the rice, all you need to do is add it to a pot and add enough water to cover around 2-3cm above the rice level (if you’re eyeballing this, it’ll be roughly half a thumb above the rice level).
2) Spam
This pantry essential is the ultimate lazy meal life hack for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Although luncheon meat looks questionable coming out of the can, all you need to do is slice the meat and then pan fry it on the stove to get that nice layer of crispy skin on top. Spam goes great with eggs in the morning as a cheaper substitute to bacon, can work as a lunchtime sandwich with some lettuce, or as a dinnertime feast to share with housemates in fried rice. The cooking possibilities are endless for this inexpensive protein.
3) Canned Tuna
The older and more desperate you get for inexpensive food, the more you’re willing to revisit some foods that may not have been childhood favourites. Canned tuna was never one of mine but university changed that opinion. When you’re desperate, canned tuna can become the ultimate saviour. Feel like sushi but not willing to splurge $5 for one roll? Grab some rice, drain the tuna and make a tuna-onigiri-rice-bowl concoction. Want a heartier sandwich than just Vegemite? Try mixing tuna with mayonnaise (I would highly recommend Japanese Kewpie mayo for a less aggressive taste), to have a next level lunch. You’ve gotta get your Omega 3’s in somehow, and canned tuna is by far the cheapest and easiest way to do it.
