From #Shef to Chef: Whip Up Yummy Dishes Easily With These Cooking Ingredients

Perfect for every chef… or #shef

A lot of us have been finding ways to keep busy while at home. Beyond school and work, people would pick up a new hobby, start a new collection, learn a new skill, or dabble a bit in the kitchen. And if you’re part of the latter half, then good for you!

Home-cooked meals are not only fun to make, but they can be tasty if done right. Unlike buying take-out, you have full control over what goes in it, the doneness (especially for steaks), and how the finished product will look and taste. And although the clean up after may be a bit tedious, you still end up with a sense of satisfaction, self-fulfillment, and a delicious dish in tow.

Thus, if you’re looking for easy cooking ingredients to stock up on, look no further. Thanks to Shopee’s convenient delivery service and extensive selection of ingredients, you can easily get what you need, right at home!

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With that being said, we’re sharing our list of 8 essential cooking ingredients—perfect for lazy cooks, aspiring chefs, and even amateur shefs:

8. S&B Curry Bar Golden No. 1 Mild 

When you think of Japanese curry, Golden Curry (S&B) is a top of mind choice. Although sweeter than Indian curries, this one has the same spices and the same creaminess paired with a mild level of heat. Plus, this sauce base contains no meat and can be used by vegetarians, too.

How to Use: boil water in a pan, and add your choice of meat and vegetables. When cooked, break up the curry cubes (one per serving). Season to taste if needed, then mix until fully dissolved. Serve with rice and enjoy.

Buy the S&B Golden Curry Bar here!

7. Nissin Ramen

On cold rainy days or even when you’re just lazy to cook, instant ramen is the answer! Nissin Ramen now comes in 4 flavors: Kyushu Black, Hokkaido, Spicy, and Shoyu. Not only do you skip on the clean up itself, but you don’t need to wait long for a bowl of noodle soup—rich meaty pork base, springy noodles, and all.

How to Use: cook as you would for instant noodles. Add noodles in 550 ml of boiling water and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, then add seasoning powder and oil. Mix well until fully dissolved and serve with seaweed or your choice of meat and veggies.

Buy the Nissin Ramen here!

6. Ozaki Wasabi Powder Premium

For those who like a little heat in their Japanese food, wasabi is a must-have in their pantry. Unlike chili, wasabi comes with a sharp heat and a strong aroma. Its unique hot flavor, paired with creamy mouthfeel when combined with soy sauce, make it a good flavoring for sushi, soba, udon, and other noodle dishes. Plus, you can even eat it with sashimi!

How to Use: The Ozaki Wasabi Powder spares you from the trouble (and mess) of grating an actual root. Mix water with your powder in a 1:2 ratio to reconstitute it. Mix until it becomes a thick paste, which you can then mix with sauces or directly place on food.

Buy the Ozaki Wasabi Powder here!

5. Bulldog Worcestershire Sauce

Aside from being a difficult word to spell and pronounce, Worcestershire Sauce a handy kitchen ingredient. Made with a blend of spices, vinegar, sugar, and salt, the Japanese version—Bulldog—is a sweet sauce with a rich flavor. It can be used for Okonomiyaki, Tonkatsu (Japanese pork cutlet), and other pan-fried dishes or as a seasoning ingredient for your meat and vegetable dishes.

How to Use: You can either mix it with your meat and veggies as a marinade or even while you’re cooking it. The amount, of course, will depend on your preference. If you plan on using it as a sauce, you can serve it on the side or place it directly on food.

Buy the Bulldog Worcestershire Sauce here!

4. Dolce Vita 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Oil is essential for cooking. And if you’re looking for extra virgin olive oil, Dolce Vina has you covered. Extra virgin is the more premium line of olive oil because it has a more pronounced olive taste. Because this oil is unrefined, it contains more of the natural vitamins and minerals found in olives, along with a lower level of oleic acid.

How to Use: Since it has a relatively high smoke point, you can use it for sautéing and frying. In fact, you can even use it for salads and dips, since it doesn’t solidify when refrigerated.

Buy the Dolce Vita 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil here!

3. Spices Of The Orient Chili Crab Paste

Prepare Singaporean dishes with ease by using Spices of the Orient’s Chili Crab Paste. Whether you’re a veteran cook or a newbie, you can easily make a great dish with this. The resulting sauce is rich and thick, sweet and spicy, and brimming with flavors. In addition, it’s also Halal-certified and free from trans-fat, cholesterol, and MSG.

How to Use: According to the packet, chop up your crab into pieces and fry under medium heat for 10 minutes, and set aside. Leave some of the oil and add your chili crab paste. Pour in some water and add cornflour, then stir until well-combined. Add back the crabs, cook them for an extra 10 minutes, and gently stir in your eggs. Serve with rice or bread and enjoy.

Buy the Spices of the Orient Chili Crab Paste here!

2. Uji No Tsuyu Tea Genmaicha

Brew your own tea right at home with this pack of Genmaicha, a Japanese green tea that comes with roasted brown rice. It features a roasted nutty taste and the light flavor of green tea, making it a good blend for drinking on its own or even with milk. And if you’re feeling creative, you can even make tea-infused desserts like cookies, cakes, ice cream, and more.

How to Use: Add 2 grams of Genmaicha for every 50ml of water. Pour boiling water, and let it steep for a minute and a half. Drink as is or mix with milk and sugar to make your very own Japanese milk tea.

Buy the Uji No Tsuyu Tea Genmaicha here!

1. Keto-Friendly Almond Flour

Make the healthy switch by using almond flour! It’s a gluten-free, low-carb alternative to the usual flours, making it keto-friendly. In addition, almond flour has a low glycemic index and is rich in both fiber and monounsaturated fat, which helps keep cholesterol levels down. When used in baking, it adds a sweet and nutty aroma to your cookies, muffins, and various baked goods.

How to Use: Commonly, almond flour is used to make French macarons, but you can use it as a replacement for all-purpose flour, too. You can use a 1:1 ratio for this, but make sure to increase your binding agent (usually egg or milk) since the batter can be drier than the usual when you use almond flour.

Buy this Keto-friendly Almond Flour here! 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links. The actual color, appearance, size, and shape of the item might be slightly different from the ones showed in the pictures. 

DELIVERY DELAY NOTICE: Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, some of these may have delivery delays, or some items may already be sold out. You may browse the shops and place orders but kindly expect a delay in the delivery of your order. Check their sites, their social media pages, or your email for delivery information.

[Also Read: These cute ~aesthetic~ kitchen gadgets and accessories will take your IG foodie game to the next level]

What are other easy cooking ingredients that you have in your pantry?

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