Three things everyone needs

Hello Readers!!

I have now been out of college for a year and a half. And although I don't have to worry about 12 page papers anymore, I still have to worry about a budget and about not having QUITE enough food in the house haha.
Three things that I have found CRUCIAL to have in my kitchen and have really helped me in times of broke-ness:
1) Pasta.
    -PASTA PASTA PASTA. I know that it is not the most healthy option, but you have no idea how much pasta can expand a dish and add a little bit more to it. You can cook up a small amount of chicken and add it to some butter/olive oil and parmesan cheese and toss it all in a bowl. I also like to add some sun dried tomatoes to that dish. Another CHEAP way to dress up a pasta dish is quickly stir fry some green pepper and onion and toss it with the pasta. Parmesan cheese adds a LOT of flavor and can last forever in the fridge.
2) Chicken
    - Obviously, if you are vegetarian, don't listen to me here. but you can get so many different cuts of chicken and you can get it super cheap if you know where to look. Fresh and Easy has cheap meat slices. If you go to Ralph's, or Vons, etc, they usually have some meats on clearance. These are the cuts that are about to expire and the store just wants them off the shelves. There is NO reason not to buy these clearance meats! Buy it for half off OR MORE, and then pop it in the freezer for later and BAM! cheap meat that will last a long time.
    - Here is a quick guide to chicken:
          ~Larger cuts of meat defrost slower and are a little harder to cook for inexperienced chefs. I have had my fair share of over cooking the smaller bits of chicken and undercooking the larger bits of chicken. Smaller, thinner cuts are easier to cook. Especially if they are the same thickness all the way through.
         ~ Do not undercook chicken! Pork and beef can certainly be undercooked, but chicken needs to be cooked all the way through. It will take time figuring out just how long to cook a piece of chicken because if its OVER cooked, the chicken gets dry and not as tasty. Don't be afraid of the chicken!
        ~ White meat is a little more healthy for you, and dark meat is a little bit more flavorful.
    - Chicken legs! EASIEST recipe I have right now. take a 9"x9" pan and cover bottom with olive oil. Drop a quarter size pool at the bottom and spread it around with a paper towel. Cut 2-4 red potatoes into half inch-inch cubes. sprinkle dried rosemary on top with a small amount of minced garlic, slat and pepper. drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and stir until everything is covered. Shift potatoes to the side of the pan. sprinkle salt, pepper, and basil on 6 chicken legs. Place the spiced side down into the pan and sprinkle the other side with salt, pepper, basil, and paprika. You can add any other spices you may like. Cover with foil and poke 2 or 3 small holes in the foil. Bake at 400 degrees for about half an hour. Serve with a side salad!
3) Vegetables!
   -You cant live off of carbs and bread and pasta your whole life. Sometimes some nice kale or cucumbers with ranch can change your whole mood and give you some well needed vitamins. Cruise the internet for some GREAT and simple recipes involving healthy veggies.