Anyone else batch cooking today?

[WhatsInTheFreezer]

So I'm trying to save a lot this year as since I moved house I've been a bit frivolous and I know I can do better. I want to start overpaying the mortgage, pay off the credit card (interest free and only £800 atm) and build up a decent emergency fund.

To do this I'm going to have to restrict my biggest expense - Food. I am about to go out and buy the ingredients but when I come back I'll list what I've bought and what I'm making with it all. Hopefully 2 weeks worth of evening meals!

Anyone else batch cooking today? Would be good to share ideas as I fear beef mince base meals are going to get old real quick!

i'm batch cooking. this week im doing meatballs, fish pie, and we have some mince etc from last week x

Me! Making a huge veggie curry which will last me all week. Carrots, onions, green peppers, potatoes, aubergines, sprouts and fresh chilis, garlic and coriander. And some lentils thrown in too. Recently discovered cumin seeds, what a difference they make 😋 Not going to bother adding meat so it'll keep longer.

Roast dinner today, left over chicken will be used in burritos on Tuesday
Beef stew doing in the slow cooker and any leftover veg from today will be eaten with it either tomorrow or Wednesday
We cooked crispy duck last night
The leftover meat from that will get eaten with noodles and stir fried veg over the next few days
That’s the week covered as we usually grab a chippy tea on Friday

HelmutFrontBut DP wouldn't be too keen on the lack of meat but that sounds like a lovely curry. Suppose DP could just have a piece of chicken or something ont he side with it, he works a physical job so he needs the calories and protein etc. Tried meat substitutions to no avail!

hobnobsaremyfav that all sounds delicious, I wish I could be that organised with each meal. when I've tried that something always happens that means the food doesn't get eaten when intended. It's hard enough getting thing out the freezer to defrot, what wonderful things microwaves are!

Helmut I would love your recipe if you would be happy to share? Sounds deeeelish!!

Off to a good start, priced up the shop before I left on the sainsburies online site, then went to Lidl and I've saved £7

Got 2 packs of beef mince, discounted pork mince and lentils so that should go quite far.

Planning to make today:-
a lot of Chilli
a lot of Bolognese
Chicken Pie

The chicken pie will use the meat from a whole chicken which I can't decide if I will roast or slow cook yet. It will look a bit odd as I'm taking the breasts off for burns night supper

Chopping onions now, all good dishes start with an onion don't they?

Veggie curry recipe:

Heat some oil, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, chopped garlic and red chilis and stir for a couple of minutes until it starts to sizzle.
Add all the chopped/sliced veg and the spices (ground coriander, cumin, chili, turmeric, garam masala) and stir until it's all coated.
Add vegetable stock with plenty of water (I use a stockpot and Marigold granules), two tins of chopped tomatoes and let it come to the boil. Chuck in some lentils, turn the heat down and let it simmer (partially covered) for about 40 minutes. Check it a couple of times and add a bit more liquid if needed.
When it's done, stir in some fresh chopped coriander.

I find it's a meal in itself (the potatoes and lentils make it feel carby) so don't feel the need for rice or naan. It's a very filling comfort dish and great for weight loss makes me poo four times a day

Well I've made 8 portions of lasagne, 2 left over bolognese, 5 chilli and 4 chicken pie. Plus there's two chicken breasts for Burn's night dinner.

Very productive day!

Watching with fascination as I'd love to get into batch cooking!!

What does everyone use for storage?

So tonight has been crispy duck noodles so there will be no waste from the duck
Has gone down well with the kids, will eat mine later.
Tomorrow night will be the stew.
I’m not always this organised but I’m desperate to get more variety and minimise waste.

Storage I use freezer bags, empty plastic takeaway tubs and other plastic boxes I have around the house
I also buy foil containers that I can use straight in the oven when the food has defrosted

Take away tubs are great because it doesn't matter so much when you inevitably lose the lids! Ice cream tubs are handy too.

Had a batch cooking mishap last night... Cooked up pasta and ate it with...chilli...! I thought it was bolognese!