to think batch cooking is a bit soulless?

😆

We tend to just cook two extra portions when cooking and freeze them so it’s not an overwhelming amount of the same thing . DH did do a big curry cook a couple of weekends ago and made 3 types of Indian curry (Al’s kitchen is great) and 3 types of Thai curry and made and froze portions of rice. I think curry tastes much better after it’s been frozen and they’ve been a godsend recently for quick evening meals served with some fresh veggies or a quick flat bread and some fresh coriander

I think I know what you mean OP. I'm in favour of batch cooking full meals or batch prepping even.

But reheating food doesn't have the same feeling or senses as cooking from scratch does.

I enjoy the process, chopping, cooking, the smells, the anticipation.

Reheating doesn't have the same vibe. Eating the same food on repeat is also dull so its necessary to switch it often.

I sometimes make a massive salad. Lasts for weeks.

leftovers for me is a bit extra that isn't eaten and then eaten the next day. Making lots of additional portions, freezing, defrosting is batch cooking to me so we will have to agree to disagree.

Of course it is, I could've made enough pork today for 3 but I didn't I made enough for a good 9, so 3 portions got eaten today and the rest is left over so split in half and frozen for two future family meals. I don't have a batch cooking day where I fill the freezer as some are saying, just when I cook the type of meal where left overs are easily frozen (curry, casserole anything fairly moist), I make sure to cook plenty. Some people here are cooking one batch of one meal on a Sunday and eating it all week, I can't think of much worse and wouldn't want to eat like that.

The only thing I batch cook when I'm not planning on eating some of it there and then is apples, PIL have a number of fruit trees and we get given a huge glut of apples and pears, I peel, chop, add cinnamon and a vanilla pod and stew them, then freeze in silicone ice cube trays and turn out into ziplock bags. Great for porridge, overnight oats, making crumble etc.

I sometimes cook a side of salmon and freeze a lot of it in portions. They’re great for an instant dinner, with a pouch of mixed grains or rice and veg or salad.

I don't think leftovers is the same as batch cooking is it?

To me batch cooking is different to meal prepping. I rarely make enough just for 3 so why would I bin left overs? We had delicious slow cooked pulled pork for dinner, cooked with ginger beer, some, onions, various spices. There was loads of it so there are portions in the fridge. It can be eaten with rice and veg, jackets, in crusty bread, tacos etc. Coming home after finishing work late and being able to have home cooked food easily, is far from soulless!

I don't like it either. Lots of stuff doesn't taste as good defrosted & don't like the monotony of eating the same thing.

For me it takes the grind out of cooking. I do batch cooking for the week, which is a chore. I then don’t cook Monday-Thursday and can enjoy cooking Friday and Saturday.

@iCod? You're back!! 🥳👋

Agree if you're making vast slabs of lasagne and bags of identical stew. I batch-cook components, say a joint of beef which I cut up and freeze in bags, then separate bags of roasted vegetables, sauces and what have you. I gave this example because it's what I've cooked today, but the only 'batch dish' I make nowadays is spag bol. You could use some of that to pre-make some lasagne: at least then you'd get two choices from your mega pot of mince.

I also do this all the time too. I ate a soup today that I made last Friday. Was fine.

YANBU
I made a batch of some sort of stew that I saw a recipe for that used red cabbage (was growing it... I have no idea why when they cost about 50p in shops).
It was bland and horrible, and my freezer has 5 more tubs of the stuff that if I am honest, will still be there in 2090.

I think things like bolognaise / chilli / curry taste better when left a few days.

Every Sunday I cook lunch for the week and eat it until Friday. Been doing this well over a year (when I started I made another batch mid week) and never been unwell.

Are you saying you’re keeping the cooked food in the fridge for five days?
Doesn’t most meaty/ cheesy food start to go off after 3-4 days in a tub?

I’m one of those who just cook extra. I can’t believe anyone can tell the difference between chilli or bolognaise that’s been frozen, also frozen curries. You cook fresh vegetables, rice, pasta etc to go with them.

I don't understand this at all. Stews, curries, chile, bolognaise sauce, etc. all taste perfectly lovely out of the freezer. Love having a freezer full of nice dinners to look forward to on a weeknight when I don't feel like cooking. Maybe it's the food inside rather than the plastic tubs putting you off OP?

I love a rainy afternoon of batch cooking, radio burbling away. I don't use plastic boxes but freeze things in Pyrex type dishes or nice bowls. I even have some LeCruset dishes that I bought in charity shops (who gives them to charity shops!) That feeling of having meals squirreled away in the freezer is so satisfying.

Knowing there is a prepared lasagne/chilli, casserole just ready to put in the oven when I come home cold, tired and hungry is a joy for me.

I, on the other hand, feel like a domestic godess eating great and healthy food at the end of a day when I didn't have time to cook. I feel accomplished, organised and healthy.

What are you talking about?! I only freezer really good stuff and then it’s like defrosted a little box of joy!

I batch cook lunch for every day of the week at work on a Sunday. Makes my life so much easier. I don’t really care about eating the same, it makes my life easier and saves me a fortune (and tastes nicer too, win win).

I hate it. I’ve tried it and I end up just transferring the freezer contents to the bin. I don’t know what I feel like eating in the morning or night before to get it out in time to defrost. I like cooking though, so I don’t find it a chore. I can’t eat gluten so am used to keeping the fridge stocked with nice things to eat immediately or cook quickly.

I’m not a big fan of stews, and often I crave something fresh (you can’t freeze a salad or stir fry). I tend to shop for what I want to eat on the day (the fridge and cupboards are usually stocked with basics). Grilled fish or a steak takes minutes to cook.

Reading the batch cooking lady’s book. It’s a bit weird, like why would I want to freeze convenience foods like frankfurters and shop bought dough ? The whole point is that you at least get to eat healthy!