Cook Once, Eat all Week: The Batch Cooking Revolution
Hello there fellow food enthusiast! As you know, we’ve always been big fans of freezing pizza dough. Having frozen pizza dough on hand means you can enjoy homemade pizza whenever you want without the process of making dough from scratch.
Batch preparing and freezing a pile of pizza dough balls is particularly helpful for meal planning and busy weeknights. It allows you to enjoy freshly baked pizza without resorting to store-bought and frozen pizzas. Let's face it, these tend not to have the same freshness and quality as your own homemade pizza.
But what about other foods? We can’t eat pizza every day (we know, booo!)
When life is pulling you in a hundred different directions, cooking from scratch every single day can be a pain in the ass. That's where the magic of batch cooking swoops in to save the day!
Batch cooking really is a game-changer.
So, let's dive into the rise of the batch cooking revolution. In case you haven't heard, it's all about cooking smart, not hard. Dedicate a few hours to whip up larger portions of your favourite meals in one fell swoop. Voilà, you've got yourself a week's worth of scrumptious, hassle-free dining. And the rest of your week? Smooth sailing. No more frantic weeknight scrambles in the kitchen – just reheat and indulge!
The perks don't stop there. Batch cooking is your ticket to less food waste, a friendlier budget, and a healthier diet. Plus, variety is the spice of life! Cook up a storm with different dishes, freeze them, and mix and match your way through the week. It's a recipe for convenience and creativity.
And let's not forget about portion control. With batch cooking, you're the boss of your meal sizes, helping you maintain that balanced diet and keep over eating at bay.
Batch Cooking is a Game Changer
If you're itching to join the batch cooking movement, here are a few tips to kickstart your journey:
- Plan Ahead
Planning is your batch cooking best friend. Start small and expand your culinary horizons gradually. Map out your weekly meals and craft a shopping list. - Family Fun
Batch cooking isn't just for solo chefs. Get the whole family or friends involved for some kitchen camaraderie while you divide and conquer the tasks. - Invest in Quality Containers
Now, here's where Babadoh steps in. Originally designed for pizza dough, but they’re incredibly versatile. From soups and stews to pasta and casseroles, they've got your batch-cooked goodies covered. Stackable to keep your fridge and freezer organised, and they can handle both hot and cold dishes like champs. Their flexibility makes it easy to peel out a frozen 'puck' of food. And when you're done, clean up? Also a breeze. Babadohs are dishwasher-safe but also totally non-stick so all mess just rinses off easily if you prefer to wash by hand.
So, adios kitchen stress, food waste, and daily cooking grind. Embrace the batch cooking revolution and enjoy your newfound leisure time. It's a win-win, and your taste buds will thank you!
Some of our Favourite Batch Cooking Experts
@bigdaddyslims
Andrew makes simple, quick and super tasty recipes and regularly posts his #batchplease series, with some seriously delicious ideas.
@thebatchlady
Suzanne is a Sunday Times best-selling author whose book Grab and Cook is a staple go to in our house, with over 100 simple, healthy batch cooked recipes.
Her website has some fantastic batch cook recipes and there's also a free batch cooking course, full of everything you need to know to get going.
@melissa.hemsley
Lover of leftovers, author of 5 cookbooks, and another inspirational batch cooker with some great recipes and ideas.
You'll find hundreds, nae thousands of recipes online, but to help get you started, read on for inspiration and links to some of our favourite batch meals.
Inspiration in Babadoh with some of our favourite chefs' recipes
Breakfast
Breakfast Sandwiches
Fill muffins or wraps with scrambled eggs, cooked bacon or sausage, cheese and vegetables. Place in individual Babadohs to freeze and defrost. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
Egg Muffins
Combine beaten eggs with diced vegetables, cheese, and cooked meat such as ham or bacon. Pour the mixture into individual Babadohs and bake. Store in the fridge or freezer then reheat in the microwave or oven.
Overnight Oats
Mix rolled oats with milk or yogurt, sweetener (honey, maple syrup, or agave), and your choice of toppings (berries, nuts, seeds). Store in Babadoh in the fridge, and they'll be ready to eat in the morning.
Smoothies
Prepare individual smoothie packs by portioning out frozen fruits, vegetables and any other ingredients you like into Babadohs. Store in the freezer, and in the morning, blend a pack with your choice of liquid for a quick and healthy smoothie.
Berry Crumble
Whip up this delicious breakfast crumble and bake. Divide into portions in Babadoh and store in the fridge. Reheat a portion in Babadoh in the oven each day for a quick tasty, healthy breakfast.
Lunch & Dinner
Pizza Dough
Freeze pizza dough balls in individual Babadohs, making sure each lid is snugly in place. The dough balls will freeze overnight into perfect Babadoh shaped dough pucks that you can release and store in a large silicone bag to free your Babadohs for more foodie treats.
Tomato Sauce
Make a large batch of homemade tomato sauce and freeze portions in Babadoh for pasta dishes.
Ragu
Batch cook a rich meaty ragu and freeze/defrost in Babadoh portions for a speedy dinner.
Meatballs
Make a batch of meatballs, cook and freeze a portion in Babadoh. Serve with spaghetti, grains or as a sandwich.
Lasagne
Prepare meat or vegetable lasagnes in individual Babadoh portions. Cook, freeze and reheat in Babadoh.
Curries, Chilli, Stews
Make a big pot of your favourite curry, dhal, chilli or stew and freeze portions in Babadoh.
Potato Toppied Pies
Cook a hearty meat, fish and/or vegetable filling topped with mashed potatoes, then freeze in portions in Babadoh and reheat.
Pulled Pork, Chicken or Beef
Slow cook pork, chicken or beef, shred it and freeze in portions, then use for sandwiches, tacos and burritos.
Soups
Cook a big pot of your favourite soup, portion into Babadohs and chill in the fridge or freeze. The frozen pucks can be quickly defrosted in a pan for a speedy lunch.
Love Babadoh
For all food...not just dough.
