Batch-Cooking
I adore batch-cooking!
It simplifies cooking and makes it more enjoyable. But...what exactly is it?
Batch-cooking is a method of planning and preparing in advance the meals you intend to eat and purchase for the upcoming week. You might think it limits flexibility and creativity, but that's not the case at all! In fact, it enhances your flexibility and creativity.
So, how do you go about it?
Here's how I like to do it:
Let's say it's Saturday, and I calculate that for the next week, out of the 21 (doesn't that sound like a lot?) meals I'll have, I will have around 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches (including snacks to take with me), and 5 dinners, at home.
I enjoy browsing through cookbooks and blogs, getting excited about all the delicious meals I'll be having during the week.
Once I've chosen the recipes, I create a list of ingredients with quantities (remember to note down how much of each item you need! I used to forget this quite often!).
Next, it's time for grocery shopping. While shopping, you might come across something fresh and tempting that's not on your list. Feel free to buy it and get creative with it!
Set aside a couple of hours to cook vegetables and grains. You can steam, sauté, boil, or even leave some raw. You don’t have to cook everything, but at least those food that require the longest cooking time.
Store them in separate containers and place them in the fridge or freezer according to when you plan to consume them.
Now you have fresh, ready-to-use ingredients! You can mix them to create delicious combiniations!
This method significantly reduces your cooking preparation time, allowing you to mix and match them in inventive ways!