Before you get started on making your base dishes, you’re going to want to have a few key ingredients on hand – ones which are both budget friendly and versatile, says Mulholland. I have been batch cooking since the kids were young – about 18 years. I was fed up with feeling like I was always chasing my tail when it came to mealtimes. Take some time aside to batch-cook and fill your freezer with this moreish leek, cannellini beans and squash pie and you'll thank yourself on busy weeknights Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited, Company number: 1394141; Registered office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing, Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL Home cook turned recipe book author Suzanne Mulholland, aka The Batch Lady , would disagree. The key, she says, is to batch cook ‘base dishes’ that can be used in lots of different ways. This keeps meals varied and exciting while still limiting the time we need to spend in the kitchen.

The batch-cook base dishes that save hours in the - BBC

At this time of year, when the days get shorter and colder, we crave cosy, filling meals that leave us feeling nourished and comforted. Think curries , pies , stews and casseroles .Combine two Italian classics - parmigiana and lasagne - in this veggie bake. It's ideal for batch cooking as you can freeze it before or after baking

Batch cooking recipes | BBC Good Food

Storage containers – invest in some reuseable plastic or glass containers that are freezer-friendly. You’ll want to freeze your food in portions, so choose containers that are the right size for your family.Make our tasty lentil recipe and use it as a base to make three more fabulous dishes. By itself it's a tasty vegan, low-fat and gluten-free meal Enjoy these rich meatballs for a weeknight dinner or part of a larger spread. The meatballs are complemented by zingy lime and cardamom flavours

Batch cooking for beginners | BBC Good Food

Not only can they learn from all your experience, it'll create fun (and messy!) memories that'll last a lifetime. Freeze single portions of sirloin steak and chips so you have a home-cooked meal within minutes of getting home Either choose a book which has specific batch cook recipes or double up the portions of your favourite recipe. Make a batch of these spiced cod fishcakes and freeze them for busy weeknights. Serve with salad and coleslaw for a tasty family mealIn the last 10 years, I’ve really got into batch cooking base dishes. They are great for staple family meals and can be adapted easily to serve with different ingredients. They also don’t break the bank, which helps when trying to keep in budget to feed a whole family – especially teenagers!” Perhaps top with mashed potato and bake for an easy veggie cottage pie , or if you want to keep meat on the menu, how about a rich sausage and lentil ragu served with pasta?

58 Batch cooking recipes - delicious. magazine

You could easily turn it into a lasagne, or even a chilli con carne just by adding some peppers, kidney beans, chilli powder and cumin. This sauce lends itself perfectly to pasta, either on its own or perhaps with meatballs (which could also be served in sub instead of on spaghetti). Blitz tinned tomatoes (or use passata) along with some dried Italian herbs (either a mix or just oregano, perhaps), onion and maybe garlic and you’ll have an effortless tomato sauce .Take mince, tinned tomatoes or passata, some onions and carrots, and you have your basic bolognese sauce. And while it’s great with spaghetti, there’s so much more you can do with it. Whip up a huge batch of bolognese that's fit to feed a hungry crowd, or freeze half for a speedy midweek meal