Ingredients · Phil’s Food

Oils & Vinegars

A good olive oil and balsamic transform simple food.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

For dressing, finishing and everyday cooking.

Budget Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1L ~£9 Reliable supermarket staple; well-balanced and great value per litre for everyday use. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Belazu Early Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil 500ml ~£11 Single-varietal Arbequina, Great Taste award-winning; a trusted chef brand for finishing. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Nudo Single Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil 500ml ~£18 Cold-pressed single-estate Italian oil pressed within hours of picking; premium finishing oil. View on Amazon ↗

Balsamic Vinegar

From salad dressing to a glossy reduction.

Budget Napolina Balsamic Vinegar of Modena 250ml ~£2 Cheap, dependable everyday balsamic for dressings and drizzling. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Belazu Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena 250ml ~£8 PDO aged blend from a third-generation producer; rich and syrupy for dressings and reductions. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO Extravecchio 25 Years 100ml ~£60 Cooked-must only, aged 25+ years in wood batteries; thick, intense DOP for finishing drops. View on Amazon ↗

Rapeseed / Vegetable Oil

Neutral, high-smoke-point oil for frying.

Budget by Amazon Vegetable (Rapeseed) Oil 1L ~£2 Cheap neutral oil with a high smoke point for frying, roasting and baking. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Borderfields Cold Pressed British Rapeseed Oil 500ml ~£4 UK market-leading cold-pressed rapeseed; high in omega-3 and good for cooking or dressing. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Mr Organic Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil 750ml ~£7 Organic extra-virgin cold-pressed rapeseed; nutty flavour, versatile from frying to finishing. View on Amazon ↗

Toasted Sesame Oil

A few drops finish any stir-fry.

Budget by Amazon Toasted Sesame Oil 250ml ~£3 Cheap own-label toasted sesame oil for everyday stir-fries and dressings. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Amoy Pure Sesame Oil 500ml ~£9 Well-known brand made from top-grade roasted sesame seeds; a kitchen staple. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Clearspring Organic Toasted Sesame Oil 500ml ~£11 Organic, gently toasted and cold-pressed; deep nutty flavour for finishing. View on Amazon ↗

Salt & Pepper

Season properly and everything tastes better.

Sea Salt Flakes

Flaky salt for seasoning and finishing.

Budget Saxa Fine Sea Salt 350g (Pack of 2) ~£7 Trusted everyday supermarket sea salt; cheap, ready-to-use and fine for general cooking and seasoning. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Maldon Sea Salt Flakes 250g ~£4 The chef and home-cook standard: crisp pyramid flakes that crush easily for seasoning and finishing. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Halen Mon Anglesey Pure Sea Salt PDO (3 x 100g) ~£18 Welsh PDO-protected, hand-harvested flake salt with a clean, mineral finish; an artisan finishing salt. View on Amazon ↗

Black Peppercorns

Always grind fresh.

Budget Tongmaster Whole Black Peppercorns 400g ~£7 Big-bag value for grinder refills; far cheaper per gram than supermarket jars for everyday peppering. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Schwartz Whole Black Peppercorns 460g ~£12 Familiar trusted brand in a large catering drum; aromatic, uncracked corns ideal for refilling your grinder. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Ausha Organic Tellicherry Black Peppercorns 500g ~£15 Great Taste Award-winning, Soil Association organic, extra-bold Tellicherry corns for the deepest, fruitiest grind. View on Amazon ↗

Spices & Dried Herbs

A small, fresh spice rack does a lot of heavy lifting.

Smoked Paprika

Smoky depth for stews, rubs and rice.

Budget JustIngredients Essentials Smoked Paprika 500g ~£9 Big loose bag at a low price-per-gram: the cheapest way to keep smoked paprika in heavy rotation. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Schwartz Smoked Paprika 40g ~£3 Trusted supermarket brand, oak-smoked in Spain, with reliable colour and a rounded smoky flavour. View on Amazon ↗

Premium La Chinata Sweet Smoked Paprika 160g D.O.P. (tin) ~£9 Pimenton de la Vera DOP, oak-smoked in Extremadura: the benchmark artisan smoked paprika. View on Amazon ↗

Ground Cumin

Warm, earthy backbone of curries and chillis.

Budget Natco Ground Cumin 100g ~£2 Asian-grocer staple: aromatic, fresh-turnover stock at a fraction of supermarket jar prices. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Schwartz Ground Cumin 37g ~£2 Foil-fresh ground from whole seeds; the dependable trusted-brand jar for everyday cooking. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Buy Whole Foods Online Ground Cumin 250g ~£6 Larger premium-grade pack with strong aroma for cooks who get through a lot of cumin. View on Amazon ↗

Dried Oregano

The pizza and tomato-sauce herb.

Budget Natco Oregano 25g ~£2 Bright-green, peppery and inexpensive: ideal cheap workhorse for pizza and pasta sauces. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Schwartz Oregano 150g ~£8 Trusted brand in a generous tub, gently dried to keep its Mediterranean aroma; great value per gram. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Sussex Wholefoods Organic Dried Oregano 30g ~£4 Organic, UK-packed by a family wholefoods supplier for cleaner, more fragrant leaves. View on Amazon ↗

Chilli Flakes

Easy, controllable heat.

Budget East End Crushed Chilli 75g ~£2 Asian-grocer favourite: real value-for-money crushed chilli with plenty of straightforward heat. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Schwartz Crushed Chillies 29g ~£2 Trusted-brand jar of Indian-grown crushed chillies, evenly cut for controllable sprinkling heat. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Cool Chile Ancho Chilli Flakes 125g (BWFO) ~£7 Single-variety ancho flakes with fruity, mild-smoky depth: a step up from generic heat. View on Amazon ↗

Stocks & Bouillon

The base of soups, risottos, gravies and braises.

Chicken Stock

Cubes, pots or fresh.

Budget Knorr Chicken Stock Cubes (80g, Pack of 8) ~£8 The default supermarket workhorse: cheap, gluten-free and reliably savoury for everyday cooking. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Kallo Organic Chicken Stock Cubes 66g (Pack of 2) ~£5 Trusted organic brand with no added MSG and a cleaner, more rounded flavour than standard cubes. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Essential Cuisine Chicken Stock Mix 800g ~£18 Professional chef-grade stock base used in restaurant kitchens for a deep, kitchen-made taste. View on Amazon ↗

Vegetable Stock

A versatile veggie base.

Budget Knorr Vegetable Stock Cubes 80g ~£2 Inexpensive vegan-friendly cubes, the go-to budget base for soups, risottos and gravies. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Marigold Swiss Vegetable Bouillon Powder 500g (Pack of 2) ~£18 Cult-favourite vegan bouillon powder; scoop-as-you-need versatility and a richer, well-seasoned flavour. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Essential Cuisine Vegetable Stock Mix 800g ~£17 Chef-grade gluten-free veg stock with a beautifully rounded, golden, savoury depth. View on Amazon ↗

Tins & Jars

The store-cupboard heroes behind a fast dinner.

Chopped Tomatoes

The cheaper tins are waterier — better ones are worth it.

Budget by Amazon Italian Chopped Tomatoes, 400g (Pack of 12) ~£7 Own-brand Italian tins — reliably thick juice at a low price per tin. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Cirio Polpa Chopped Tomatoes, 400g (Pack of 12) ~£14 Trusted 165-year Italian brand; deep flavour and a thicker pulp than supermarket tins. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Mutti Finely Chopped Tomatoes (Polpa), 400g (Pack of 6) ~£11 100% Italian tomatoes, no additives — the benchmark for rich, fresh-tasting polpa. View on Amazon ↗

Coconut Milk

For curries, dals and puddings.

Budget by Amazon Coconut Milk, 400ml ~£1 Cheapest dependable option for everyday curries; single tin, stock up as needed. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Chaokoh Coconut Milk, 400ml (Pack of 6) ~£12 Popular Thai brand — rich, creamy and consistent, the go-to for proper curries. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Biona Organic Coconut Milk, 400ml (Pack of 6) ~£14 Great Taste Award winner; organic, no guar gum or carrageenan, just coconut and water. View on Amazon ↗

Chickpeas

Hummus, curries and quick salads.

Budget by Amazon Whole Chickpeas in Water, 400g ~£0.50 Cheapest everyday tin — fine drained for curries and salads; single tin. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Napolina Chick Peas in Salted Water, 400g (Pack of 6) ~£5 UK's favourite pulses brand — firm, consistent chickpeas and Amazon's Choice. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Bold Bean Co Queen Chickpeas, 700g jar ~£5 Giant heirloom chickpeas, slow-cooked in glass — creamy and plump enough to eat as-is. View on Amazon ↗

Pasta, Rice & Grains

Cheap, filling and the base of dozens of meals.

Dried Pasta

Bronze-die holds sauce better.

Budget Napolina Spaghetti 500g ~£1.50 The UK's favourite supermarket pasta brand; cheap, reliable 100% durum wheat for everyday meals. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range De Cecco Spaghetti No.12 500g ~£2.50 Trusted Italian brand, bronze-die and slow-dried for a rougher surface that grips sauce better than smooth pasta. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Rummo Lenta Lavorazione Spaghetti No.3 500g ~£3 Artisan bronze-die spaghetti made by the slow 'lenta lavorazione' method for superb texture and bite. View on Amazon ↗

Basmati Rice

Fragrant long-grain for curries.

Budget East End Pure Basmati Rice 5kg ~£12 Big-bag value basmati popular for Indian cooking; great cost-per-kg for everyday curries and biryani. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Tilda Pure Basmati Rice 1kg ~£4 The benchmark UK basmati brand: aged grains, fluffy texture and reliable fragrance for curries. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Kohinoor Platinum Basmati Rice 5kg ~£20 Top-grade extra-long aged basmati with exceptional grain length and aroma; chef-favourite for biryani. View on Amazon ↗

Risotto Rice

Arborio or Carnaroli for creamy risotto.

Budget Riso Gallo Arborio Risotto Rice 1kg ~£4 Everyday arborio from Italy's best-known rice house; high starch for a dependable creamy risotto. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Riso Gallo Organic Arborio Risotto Rice 500g ~£3 Organic arborio with plump, full-bodied grains that bind into a smooth, well-balanced risotto. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Acquerello Aged Carnaroli Risotto Rice 1kg Tin ~£22 Artisan carnaroli aged at least a year on the Colombara estate; absorbs more stock and stays perfectly al dente. View on Amazon ↗

Sweet & Baking

Good chocolate and real vanilla make a big difference.

Vanilla Extract

Real extract, not flavouring.

Budget McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract 29ml ~£4 Genuine pure extract from a trusted baking brand, not synthetic essence, for an everyday entry price. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Nielsen-Massey Pure Vanilla Extract 60ml ~£9 The home-baker's gold standard: cold-extracted Madagascar Bourbon beans with a full, mellow flavour. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste 60ml ~£12 Thick paste flecked with real seeds, so you get intense flavour plus the look of a split pod in custards and ice cream. View on Amazon ↗

Dark Chocolate

70% for baking and ganache.

Budget Cadbury Bournville Dark Chocolate 180g (Pack of 6) ~£18 Cheap, widely available dark chocolate that melts cleanly for brownies and everyday bakes when you don't need single-origin. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Green & Black's Organic Cooking Dark Chocolate 70% 150g ~£3 Purpose-made 70% cooking bar with high cocoa solids; organic, Fairtrade and ideal for ganache and melting. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Willie's Cacao 88% San Agustin Dark Chocolate 50g (Pack of 12) ~£40 Artisan bean-to-bar single-estate Colombian cacao with red-fruit notes for the most intense ganache and desserts. View on Amazon ↗

Honey

For dressings, drizzling and bakes.

Budget Rowse Pure & Natural Clear Honey 680g (Pack of 6) ~£30 The UK's best-selling honey in a no-mess squeezy bottle; reliable everyday sweetness for cooking and bakes. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Rowse Organic Clear Honey Squeezy 340g (Pack of 2) ~£10 Certified organic blossom honey with a cleaner, more floral taste for dressings and drizzling. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Hilltop Honey Manuka MGO 100+ 225g ~£18 Independently tested monofloral New Zealand Manuka with a dark, rich, herbal character for finishing and gifting. View on Amazon ↗

Condiments & Sauces

The bottles that add instant savoury depth.

Soy Sauce

Light for seasoning, dark for colour.

Budget Amoy Light Soy Sauce 150ml ~£2 Cheap, widely-stocked everyday light soy for stir-fries and seasoning. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce 250ml ~£3.50 The trusted benchmark brand: naturally brewed, balanced umami, sold by Amazon. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Clearspring Organic Japanese Tamari Soya Sauce 500ml ~£9 Organic, gluten-free tamari aged the traditional way for a deep, rich finish. View on Amazon ↗

Dijon Mustard

Dressings, sauces and a roast ham.

Budget Supermarket own-brand Dijon Mustard (approx 185g) ~£1 Own-label Dijon does the job for vinaigrettes and marinades at the lowest price. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Maille Dijon Originale Mustard 215g ~£3 Classic French Dijon since 1747 - smooth, sharp and reliably good in dressings. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Edmond Fallot Original Dijon Mustard 210g ~£5 Last independent Dijon producer, stone-ground for full flavour - the artisan pick. View on Amazon ↗

Fish Sauce

Umami for Thai and Vietnamese cooking.

Budget Squid Brand Fish Sauce 725ml ~£4 Big-bottle Thai staple, naturally fermented - the go-to budget workhorse. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Megachef Premium Fish Sauce 500ml ~£7 Higher anchovy content, no MSG - a cleaner, more refined everyday upgrade. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Red Boat 40°N Premium Fish Sauce 500ml ~£15 First-press Phu Quoc nuoc mam, just anchovy and salt - the connoisseur's choice. View on Amazon ↗

Worcestershire Sauce

Savoury hit for gravies, marinades and a Bloody Mary.

Budget Supermarket own-brand Worcestershire Sauce (approx 150ml) ~£1 Own-label version delivers the same savoury tang for splashing into stews. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce 290ml ~£3 The original, matured 18 months - the definitive bottle for cooking and cocktails. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Biona Organic Worcester Sauce 140ml ~£4 Organic, gluten-free and vegan, Great Taste Award winner - the artisan upgrade. View on Amazon ↗