Have you already donned your chef’s hat and apron? Are you licking your lips at the notion of some wholesome home cooking?

I thought so.

But first things first, we need to ensure your good intentions don’t fizzle out right at the starting block. I think the biggest obstacle to cooking at home is what I call “Old Mother Hubbard” syndrome. Hands up who has to purchase every single ingredient each time you decide to cook?

Yes, yes, that’s what I thought. **Sigh**

Ultimately, the idea of planning a meal and buying every ingredient on a nightly basis is so overwhelming that you’ll decide to throw in the towel and buy a ready made meal or order a take-away supper instead. Sound familiar? This is the scenario we want to avoid from the outset because you’ll not only blow money (which feels that bit more precious in these credit crunch times), but also your daily calorie and fat allowance.

So here’s the solution. Let’s stock up on staples.

Start by purchasing the list of staple ingredients below and always make sure that they are topped up and ready to go. I know it will seem like a bother at first for you busy bees, but this is a great investment. If all these are on-hand in your kitchen, then you’ll be equipped to unleash your inner chef.