Everyday Ingredients, Extraordinary Meals
- Ine
- Oct 14
- 4 min read
Because good food should be for everyone — no matter the budget.
There’s a myth that never seems to go away: “Good quality ingredients cost a fortune.” You know the idea — that to cook something delicious, you need to shop at fancy delis, fill your trolley with specialist oils, or splash out on imported cheeses you’ve never heard of.
But here’s the truth I’ve learned after years of cooking for family, friends, and myself — through rushed weeknights, long workdays, and Sunday lunches: good quality doesn’t mean expensive. In fact, some of the most delicious dishes I make for Ine’s Kitchen start with the humblest, most affordable ingredients you can find.
Freshness Over Fancy Labels
The secret to good cooking has never been about price tags — it’s about freshness and seasonality. A bag of sun-ripened tomatoes from a local market will always beat a pricier, imported alternative that’s been picked too early and shipped halfway across the world. A bunch of fragrant parsley or coriander from a small greengrocer adds more life to a dish than any expensive jar of sauce.
Take my Spanish Tortilla de Patatas for example. It’s one of the most classic, comforting recipes on the blog — made from just five ingredients: potatoes, onions, eggs, olive oil, and salt. That’s it. No truffles, no fancy toppings, no overpriced extras. Yet it’s a dish that tastes like home, like summer evenings in Andalucía, and it never fails to impress guests.
Where You Shop Matters More Than What You Buy
One of my favourite things to do — and something I always recommend — is to shop smart. I love spending a Saturday morning at the local market, picking up fresh vegetables, herbs, and bread for far less than I’d spend at a supermarket. The quality is always higher, and the food tastes better.
Even if you don’t have a market nearby, there are hidden gems on supermarket shelves. “Own brand” basics like tinned tomatoes, dried beans, grains, and frozen vegetables are often excellent quality and incredibly affordable. They’re also the backbone of some of my go-to recipes, like my Green Bean Salad — fresh, simple, and full of flavour — or my Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli, a hearty midweek meal made entirely from pantry staples and seasonal vegetables.
The Beauty of Simple Ingredients
Some of the most beloved dishes in the world started with whatever was available and affordable. That’s the heart of home cooking — and it’s why simplicity is so powerful.
Think of a bowl of Patatas a lo Pobre — just potatoes, onions, peppers, and olive oil slowly cooked until sweet and tender. Or my Flan de Huevo, made with little more than eggs, milk, and sugar, yet somehow turning into the most elegant, nostalgic dessert. These recipes prove again and again that you don’t need expensive ingredients to cook something memorable.
It’s how you treat those ingredients that counts. Roasting vegetables brings out their sweetness. Toasting spices deepens their aroma. Even something as simple as finishing a salad with a squeeze of lemon can transform it into something vibrant and bright.
Waste Less, Cook More
Another way to make the most of your ingredients — and your budget — is to waste less. I’m a big believer in turning leftovers into new meals. Roasted vegetables can become a frittata. Stale bread becomes crunchy croutons or thickens a soup. And a tin of chickpeas can stretch into a filling salad, a creamy hummus, or a hearty stew.
Cooking this way isn’t just thrifty — it’s creative. It teaches you to see ingredients not for what they cost, but for what they can become.
The Heart of Ine’s Kitchen Philosophy
At Ine’s Kitchen, I’ve always believed that home cooking should feel accessible, joyful, and realistic — even on the busiest days. It’s not about how much you spend; it’s about how you use what you have.
The truth is, good quality doesn’t mean luxury. It means fresh, seasonal, and thoughtfully chosen. It means understanding that a bag of humble potatoes, a few eggs, and a splash of olive oil can turn into a dish that’s every bit as delicious as one made with expensive ingredients.
So next time a recipe calls for “good quality” ingredients, don’t be put off. Trust your instincts, shop wisely, and cook with heart. Because at the end of the day, the most unforgettable meals — the ones that fill your kitchen with warmth and your table with smiles — are often the simplest ones of all.
Happy Cooking!
Try These Simple, Budget-Friendly Recipes:
If you’re ready to put this philosophy into practice, here are a few of my favourites — all proof that delicious doesn’t have to mean expensive:
Spanish Tortilla de Patatas – Simple, satisfying, and perfect for any meal of the day.
Patatas a lo Pobre – A humble, slow-cooked Spanish staple made with pantry basics. Serve it as a side or a light lunch.
Pasta with Sausage & Broccoli – A hearty, weeknight dinner built from affordable ingredients you probably already have at home.
Summer Green Bean Salad – Fresh, vibrant, and full of texture — this salad proves that budget-friendly can still be beautiful.
Flan de Huevo – A nostalgic dessert made from just three ingredients. Rich, silky, and the sweetest example of simplicity done well.
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