Yes, it is possible to succeed without having to rely on special consumables like drinks you can brew or complex foods made at your stove. Simple foods and waterskins work nicely to fulfill your character's basic needs, and your gear, attributes, weapons, and maybe a few elixirs will aid you in whatever you have to do through your journey in the game. Many of the special foods and drinks you find in the game such as Herbal Tea are just a helping hand for the different situations you are going through at the time. You can still hydrate yourself with plain water, have different kinds of healing items at your disposal, and regenerate your stamina without the help of anything to boost its regeneration - it's just a little tougher to avoid going with higher-quality drinks or foods to speed up the regeneration process.