Batch cooking, also known as batch cooking, is becoming increasingly popular around the world, especially with people who have busy schedules or want more control over their diet. This method has become an essential culinary trend and involves preparing a large amount of food and then storing it in portions for later use. I tell you more, follow the chef!
Batch cooking: what are its advantages?
The main idea of batch cooking is to double or triple the quantity when cooking a meal. The extra two or three meals can go to the fridge to eat during the week or to the freezer for a later date.
Batch cooking has several advantagesnotably :
- Time saving: by preparing all the meals of the week in one go, you save time in the kitchen;
- save money: by buying ingredients in large quantities, you can take advantage of advantageous prices and reduce food waste;
- healthy and balanced diet: by preparing your own meals, you can control the quality of the ingredients used and avoid additives and preservatives;
- variation of pleasures: by preparing several different recipes, you can vary the pleasures and discover new flavors;
- waste reduction: by preparing meals in large quantities, food waste can be avoided and waste reduced;
- organization: by planning meals in advance, you can better organize yourself and avoid last-minute shopping and improvised meals;
- stress reduction: having meals ready in advance avoids the stress of preparing daily meals.
The key stages of batch cooking
Soups, stews and curries can all be easily prepared in bulk and preserved in individual containers or in larger family containers in the fridge or freezer. Here are the different stages of batch cooking.
Meal planning
Before starting the preparation, it is important plan the meals you want to cook for the coming week. It can be main dishes, side dishes and snacks. You can also choose recipes that allow you to vary the ingredients to avoid getting bored.
Preparing the shopping list
Once the meals have been chosen, it is time to make a list necessary ingredients. It is necessary to check the stock already available in the refrigerator and the cupboard so as not to buy duplicates.
Preparing the ingredients
Once the shopping is done, it’s time to prepare all the ingredients for cooking. You can peel vegetables, cut meat and fish, prepare sauces and spices, etc.
The cooking
It’s time to cook all dishes at once. You can use different cooking methods:
- In the oven;
- in the pan ;
- steam, etc.
In general, it is advisable to cook the dishes that take the longest time first, then move on to the others. You can also use pressure cookers or food processors to save even more time.
Storage
Once the dishes are cooked and cooled, it is important to store them properly to keep them longer. You can put them in airtight containers or in freezer bags.
Preservation of preparations with batch cooking
Preservation of preparations is an important step in batch cooking. This can be done in airtight glass, plastic or aluminum containers for optimal preservation of the dishes.
Here are some tips for properly preserving your batch cooking dishes.
Refrigeration
Prepared meals can be stored in the refrigerator for regarding 3 to 4 days maximum.
Freezing
Dishes can also be cfrozen for longer storage (3 months maximum). It is important to place them in airtight containers and label them with the date of preparation and the name of the dish.
Defrosting
To defrost food, it is recommended to take them out of the freezer the day before and place them in the refrigerator for a slow and gradual thawing. It is also possible to thaw them quickly in the microwave or in a frying pan, making sure to heat them well.
Temperature compliance
Dishes should be cool quickly following cooking and immediately placed in the fridge or freezer.
