Batch cooking

[toohardtothinkofaname]

I'm asking a lot of questions lately, aren't I?

My friend is due her baby soon and because she's had a baby shower she doesn't want gifts after the baby is born.

I really want to help out though so have offered to do some batch cooking which she's gladly accepted. It'll be a great trial run for me too as I'll be doing the same in the run-up to my due date.

I know what dishes I'll cook and freeze (lasagne (quorn mince), cottage pie (quorn mince), leek & potatoe soup, separate batches of mash to reheat with sausages) but haven't been able to find anywhere how long these dishes can be frozen for or the re-heating instructions so I can make a note of it on the packaging to make it easier for her. Can anyone help?

I don't know exact timings, but defrost thoroughly and reheat until piping hot would be my best guess.

That's what I do anyhow

I would take it out of the freezer the day before and leave in the fridge overnight. Then reheat in the oven until piping hot - around 40 minutes in a preheated oven at 200? Though it depends on the size of the dish, etc. but that woild be my starting point.

Don't bother with mash- waitrose sell brilliant frozen mash at £1 a bag, but that instead !

Sounds good loungeroom! Thank you.

Newballs; I don't mind making the mash (will need it for cottage pie anyway) and will probably be cheaper. Thank you though