To think batch cooking and freezing is bleegghh

[Notgotajarofglue]

FT working busy mum trying to follow all the tips and hints on getting through these hectic years.
One thing always comes up:batch cook, freeze and reheat.
AIBU thinking that everything comes out Not envy
Watery sauces, soggy veg and dry over cooked meat in all the favourites recommended for this. Husband said it was like prison food. I don't know what I'm doing wrong as I'm a fab cook and it seems from mn that everybody loves batch cooking.
Can't just be me, they've got to be settling for eating horrid food just to save time right?

I never enjoy reheated food either so we don't bother doing it.

We don't tend to eat much of the things that are suitable anyway - evening meals in our house are usually fresh veg/large salad and some protein (fish, chicken) or a stiry fry. We eat quite low carb during the week as we eat late - so minimal bread, pasta, potatoes, rice etc.
I'm not adverse to a bolognese or chilli now and again but it's not what I want to eat at 9pm so we prefer to eat fresher things.

Our freezer usually just has peas, ice cream, fish fingers, breaded fish, oven chips (sweet potato and ordinary), onion rings (DH's guilty pleasure food).
On the odd occasion we freeze meals they just get chucked out 6 months later.

Do people never buy frozen ready meals?

OP - we don't have a freezer so cant batch cook and freeze but what we do to save time is:

Sat - Cook lentil lasagna with enough for left overs in fridge
Sun - Cook paneer curry with enough for left overs in fridge
Mon - Lentil Lasagna leftovers
Tue - Paneer curry leftovers
Wed - Stir fry with enough for left overs in fridge
Thur - Pizza or other quick meal night
Fri - Stir fry leftovers

So really we only properly cook 3 or 4 times a week.

Sometimes I might stretch a tomato sauce based dish like bolognese into 3 meals but make the 3rd meal lasagna or a chilli or something. We also mix it up with tacos / wraps / rice on nights we have chilli so doesnt feel like the same dinners. Curries also get served slightly different too, so one night we might have rice with it but another night could be naan.

Also, we have a lot of salads!

Are you making sure the food is absolutely cold before you freeze it? Otherwise you’ll get condensation on the inside of the tub which then goes back into the food, making it watery?

Exactly, Bernard. Just go to Iceland, there's loads of stuff in there, fresh and cheaper than batch cooking. As for the 'D'H saying it's horrid, what's he batch cooking then?

I don't like batch cooking, I don't want to spend hours cooking food for the freezer.

When I cook curries or bolognese sauce I may cook more so there is a small leftover for one person but that's it.

We also eat a lot food you can't properly freeze, stir fries, pan fried fish or steaks/pork medallions. I don't think I came across a pasta dish which takes longer than 1/2 hour unless it is lasagne or cannelloni.

@BertrandRussell I've never bought a frozen ready meal, no. The only ready meals we have are the odd Charlie Bigham one (they are known as emergency dinners in our house) and they are only fresh. We froze one once but it was grim!

“Exactly, Bernard. Just go to Iceland, there's loads of stuff in there, fresh and cheaper than batch cooking.”
Why is Iceland frozen stuff fresh and hone frozen stuff not?

My frozen meals aren’t horrid and sometimes they taste better defrosted and reheated. You’re doing something wrong.

Not everything is suitable for freezing. Check each recipe before you freeze it.

“We also eat a lot food you can't properly freeze, stir fries, pan fried fish or steaks/pork medallions. ”

There isn’t a law that says you have to eat batch cooked things every night!

Bertrand - I cant remember exactly how much it cost. M&S is expensive for convenience shopping, sure. In fact, I do find the reality is, it’s genetally cheaper to do Deliveroo than a last minute shop in M&S! However, sometimes time is money!

Meanwhile, in the real world...

Mushrooms don’t freeze well, by way.

I like the frozen ready meals from Cook - they are (mostly) just the same as home cooked/frozen meals. They are quite ££ though.

I am a fan of freezing single leftover portions but I don't batch cook, preferring to cook quickly after work - spaghetti with chorizo, baked salmon with stir fry, omelettes, that sort of thing.

You're obviously not a good cook OP 😂 you make adjustments for batch cooking in how you make it to stop freezer problems 🤷

Maybe learn what can and can't be frozen and how to cook food correctly to freeze.

I agree op! Same with slow cookers.

I actually like cooking and don’t mind spending half an hour to an hour cooking every night. I work from home and have 8 children so there’s time for it if you make it a priority.

If I hated cooking I’d probably just buy stuff that was ready to cook.

Nothing wrong with batch cooking at all, as long as you freeze the right things. Curries, pasta sauces, soups, casseroles - mixes with a decent liquid content. NOT meat and veg separately - they're hideous defrosted.

There are certain things that don't freeze well, but then unless your schedule is insane you don't have to have batch meals every night.

By the way, one of the best investments I have ever made: some proper good quality GLASS freezer boxes. They do not absorb colors, stains, smells, flavors and they wash up sparkling clean. They cost a bit more, but have more than paid for themselves by enabling more organized cooking and less food waste and takeout/readymade foods.

Do people never buy frozen ready meals?

Occasionally. Sometimes a Charlie Bigham as an alternative to a Friday night takeaway - they are lovely.

There is very little Ive ever batch cooked and frozen that I have been able to tell has been frozen. How long are you leaving it in the freezer before using it?

My freezer is full of
lasagne
bolognese sauce (flat frozen)
mousakka
shepherds pie
curries
tagines

All freeze and defrost without any issue at all

I freeze a lot (veggie food) but think its not as nice as fresh.

To all those who say this is cos I can't cook, I say you think frozen is the same as fresh due to your unsophisticated palate, so yah boo sucks to ya!

I don’t freeze but do cook ahead. Bolognese keeps for days, chicken casserole for a few days too etc

“ I also find it baffling when people say they freeze their kids' sandwiches for the week.”

Surely nobody actually freezes sandwiches??

I agree OP! I hate knowing what I'll be eating before I get to the kitchen.

Also think it's when people suggest making sandwiches for packed lunches at the weekend and freezing them. Mmmm a wet defrosted sandwich that's sat in a lunchbox for 5 hours. Deeeeelicious!

I've only ever seen Charlie in the fridge section.

I sometimes freeze half of what I cook but only ever curry, bolognese or chili con carne. It needs to be tomato based and moist for me to enjoy it defrosted - not a fan of frozen reheated casserole.

If I make lasagne s the frozen ones are assembled but not cooked,same with any potato topped meal,fish pie etc .I take them out of the freezer and cook them when I get home.
Defrosted curries,tomato sauce ,bolognais sauce of the taste nicer after being frozen.
The only vegetable I freeze are those I grow but many need blanching before home freezing or they taste vile.