batch cookery

[mrsflibble]

I'm busily filling the freezer with yummy things which will cook quickly so that when/if neither of us can be bothered to cook, instead of getting a damned evil take away or having beans on toast, we get something a little more sensible. I'm hoping we'll save moeny this way, and jim and soph wont have to rely on beans on toast or omlettes when i'm not into the idea of food.

so in the last week I've made mini quiches (individual size), yorkshire puds, chicken and mushroom pies and a lamb chilli. I can't eat beef due to IBS, but lamb doesn't set me off and it's yummier in my opinion!! tomorrow i have budgeted for a take away curry, but thurs we're havng roast pork and friday we're having refried pork, baked beans and bubble and squeak. I'm planning meals for the first time in ages, enjoying cooking again and the world is seeming brighter. ♥ prozac lol!!!!! tomorrow I'll be making a good batch of leek and potato soup too. mine and soph's favorite home made soup, i get to use last week's slightly bendy leeks, the last of the potatoes and the last of today's milk.

the only problem has been trying to get through to James that I'm fine.... the last time I did a massive load of batch cooking like this it was because I was planning to top myself and wanted James and Soph to be well fed... don't ask. Just understand that being a nutcase is a full time job, but i'm learning to work around it. Jim's just having a bit of a hard time getting used to me being normal. I don't think i've been normal (i.e. mentally stable) in all the 7 years we've been together!!!

but yeah, I have not only got a load of pastry based goodness in my freezer, I am using everything we buy for the first time ever and i am so proud of myself for being on budget for the last 4 weeks lol! i know! I'm 26, i should have learned to do this befroe now lol!!!

[red]

well done - planning ahead is the key.

I make soup en mass - and its good to there ready for lunch.

why not make your own take away curries sometime - to stick in the freezer.

[Cassiepod]

You're an inspiration MrsF. I need to get back in the habit, I think that's how I'll spend my weekend :) After rugby on Saturday and Church on Sunday....... Slowcookers a good one to get round that!

Thankyou!

[Thomzo]

OK so James is having a bit of a wobble. Just keep reassuring him that it's only the Prozac this time. He will eventually get used to it. The most important thing is that you understand his misgivings and you recognise the reasons for it. Perhaps talk about things that you are all going to do in the future, maybe days out next summer or something so that he realises that you are planning on being around.

It's brilliant that you are finally getting your health issues under control. It's been hard work but you are doing fabulously.

Well done.
Zoe

[Millymollymandy]

Well done Mrs Flib.

Whenever we make anything freezable (like spag bol, chilli or curry) we always make enough for us two for 2 nights then a bit left over which goes in the freezer, marked with how many people portions it will feed. I've always got 'take away' curries etc in the freezer for when I can't be bothered, although I've still got to cook some rice or pasta to go with it, but that's not too hard!

[thesunflowergal]

I am glad that you have posted this Mrs F, as I am just making a start on my batch ccoking. I thought that it might be a good idea to have a few things in the freezer, incase of "one of those days" when the baby arrives.
I am making:

- Beef Pie Mix (or you can add extra veg to this and make a cassrole)
- Bolognese for spag bol, chilli or lasagne.
- Macaroni Cheese

Not sure what else, so I am going to borrow some ideas.

Glad to hear that your getting back on track Mrs F!!

[wulf]

I have just been thinking myself about batch cookery. I'm now living in a community house and only have to cook about once a week ... but it is cooking for about eight adults and can be tricky to fit in round a full-time job and other activities. I was up late last night working on preparing some of the curry dishes I am serving up tonight and it struck me that it would potentially save a lot of time to produce some batches of various sauces that could be relatively quickly combined with fresh ingredients on the day.

Wulf

[Mr and Mrs luvpie]

Good for you, I've actually asked my mum for a freezer for chirstmas so that when we have gluts of food from the allotment and garden we can freeze them, as well as being able to batch cook, being about to have 4 kids under 10 in the house means we really need to get orgainised!

I also like nothing better than spending a day cooking and knowing that on those days that I can't be bothered to do so there is something that I know we will all like and is healthy!

Sarahx

[Mrs Moustoir]

I make huge bolognaise sauces, chillis and basic herby Italian-ish tomato sauces and freeze these in family sized portions (ie one meal for the four of us).

I also make a large basic curry sauce which I split. The portions come out of the freezer and I add things like left over cooked chicken, or mushrooms, or cauliflower and potato for an aloo gobi - makes for a quick curry.

[StripyPixieSocks]

Batch cooking is brilliant and cheap!

We make all kinds of things, Curries, Chilli, Tomato Sauces for Pasta dishes, Soups... anything really that's healthy and easy to make when we're not feeling like doing much!

I also buy reduced to clear vegetables and blanch and freeze them as well as I haven't got a garden so can't grow stuff at the moment.

[mrsflibble]

i blanch/pickle reduced veg (got some lovely pickled shallots at the mo), and i make pastry in batches and freeze in little blocks. i'm all out of that after this week's pie making, but hey i had it there lol!! i also freeze fruit compot and in separate bags freeze crumble mixture so all i need to do is put the fruit in a bowl and the crumble on top and hey presto, oven ready pud!!

[Green Aura]

Excellent stuff Mrs F.

I really enjoy portioning up and freezing leftovers - with nothing approaching an edible takeaway up here the freezer's the next best option

As for James - the only way he's going to relax and stop worrying about you is through experience. So keep up the good work and show him his fears are unfounded.

[thesunflowergal]

We are under starter orders here.
My massive slow cooker is crammed full, of beef, mushrooms, carrots, onions, red wine and stock. Ready for pie mix. I can't fit anymore in there, just hope that it cooks ok

I know this is a daft question, but if I wanted to prepare some runner beans for the freezer how do I do it please? Is it just a case of cutting them up normally, then putting them in boiling water for a few mins and then bagging them up?

Thanks Nikki

[marshlander]

Best tip is to lable clearly. I always think I'm going to recognise what an item is but OH has had some strange combos such as spag and chilli and I've defrosted toms instead of fruit before now.

As I'm a veggie but OH is not I too batch make so I don't have to cook 2 different meals from scratch. If I'm cooking something for OH I'll have something easy and vice versa.

Muffins freeze well and individual ones thaw on med for 30-40 secs in the microwave or will thaw by lunchime if put in the lunchbox first thing.

I've a big bag of crumble topping in the freezer and take out as many portions as needed.

I know this is a daft question, but if I wanted to prepare some runner beans for the freezer how do I do it please? Is it just a case of cutting them up normally, then putting them in boiling water for a few mins and then bagging them up?

Yes, blanch for 2 mins, cool quickly by plunging the beans into iced water, drain thoroughly and pack. I lay them on cooking trays til frozen then bag. This way you can use a few at a time.

[Millymollymandy]

Or don't bother blanching as it makes no difference whatsoever! Yes I know this is a topic that is completely divided - you either do or you don't. Why not try both (label clearly!) then see if there is any difference for YOU.