Batch Cooking Basics - Everything you need to know
Today I have to tell you about my absolute life changing project: Batch Cooking! Ever heard of it? For me it is the key to combining my passion for (fresh) cooking and my busy everyday life with family and work.
For me, cooking means pure relaxation - combining new ingredients, the smell of fried garlic and new food trends, beautifully presented in a glass jar. That's exactly what I sometimes miss when meal prepping, the classic pre-cooking of food. Sometimes it's a bit too mushy, the pasta sticks together (fresh al dente pasta from the pot is just such a difference for me) but overall it's very practical because everything is ready in the fridge. And salad as meal prep is unbeatable, but it's not my favorite dish for every day. I never warmed to my Thermomix and quickly abandoned it because I didn't really cook anything in it other than cake batter. I just missed the feeling of "real" cooking, of creative, healthy recipes with a certain twist.
And then I came across batch cooking - THE solution for my everyday life with family and work. And of course I would love to try out a great new recipe every day. Problem: the daily loads of washing up, the open, unused "special" ingredients go stale because I didn't think enough about how I could use fresh coriander.
Everyday life is hectic, time is short, and the need for healthy eating is often neglected. In such moments, forward-thinking cooking methods are your best allies.
This is where batch cooking and meal prep come into play. Both concepts aim to make your life easier and enable you to eat a balanced diet, but they have subtle differences that we want to take a closer look at. Here you will find out everything you need to know about batch cooking and what you need for it.
What is batch cooking?
Batch cooking means preparing ingredients or basics in advance by cutting, preparing and portioning ingredients that can later be combined to make different dishes. This allows flexibility in putting together meals without having to cook from scratch every time, saves time washing up (you only have to clean the cutting board or blender once). The big advantage for us is: cooking with fresh ingredients, frying the garlic in the pan, smelling the aroma of fresh cooking in the kitchen every day and yet preparing the basics once to save time.
What is meal prep?
Compared to batch cooking, meal prep involves preparing meals in advance. You cook large quantities of dishes and then portion them into individual containers. These containers are stored in the refrigerator or frozen and can be quickly reheated when needed. The result? Home-cooked meals that are always on hand without the hassle of cooking every day, but also a little less of a cooking feeling, which is essential for us as foodies when cooking.
What is the difference?
The main difference between batch cooking and meal prep is the way the meals are prepared. With meal prep, you cook the meals completely in advance, while with batch cooking, the ingredients are prepared to later be combined into different dishes.
The advantages of batch cooking
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Time saving: Batch cooking saves you time in the long run, as you don't have to spend a long time in the kitchen every day. Prepare once, eat several times! Plus, the fixed plan saves you from having to rack your brains every day about "what are we eating today?"
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Freshness: Meals are freshly prepared to preserve their flavor and nutrients. No compromise on quality!
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Feeling of real cooking: Even though you prepare meals in advance, you still experience the process of cooking. You can balance flavors, add spices, and express your creative side.
- Less food waste : The recipes are coordinated in such a way that every open tomato sauce is used up and you are not faced with the question "How can I use this?". Tomato sauce can perhaps be used in many different recipes - but as real foodies we also love ingredients that are not used in every dish, such as capers or fresh herbs. A large bunch of fresh coriander often ends up in the freezer as a reserve (also a good idea, but fresh herbs taste best, right?) or in the trash if you can't find any other use for them. With batch cooking, recipes are coordinated in such a way that the ingredients complement each other and are used up.
How much time does batch cooking save and who is it suitable for?
Depending on the amount of preparation involved, batch cooking can save a lot of time while still giving you the feeling of cooking fresh food every day. This is particularly helpful for people with busy lifestyles, working professionals, parents or students.
What do you need for batch cooking
- Jars: For storing prepared dips, sauces and components. For example, our Oleni and Ripple Mason Jars are ideal thanks to their 100% airtight lids .
- Accessories: Cutting boards, knives, pans and pots for efficient preparation. Our 4-in-1 multi-styler makes grating much easier!
- Weekly plan: Plan in advance which meals you want to cook to prepare the ingredients you need.
- Shopping list: Based on your weekly plan, make a list of all the ingredients you need. You can find our shopping list and a blank list here.
Our batch cooking weekly plan for you:
- Day 1: Creamy pasta with zucchini pesto
- Day 2: Bruschetta salad with burratta cream
- Day 3: Fruity Orzo Salad with Lemon
- Day 4: Veggie Pancakes
- Day 5: Creamy hummus with roasted mushrooms
Batch cooking not only saves you time, but also gives you freedom and enjoyment in your kitchen. You can enjoy healthy meals without stress, whenever you want. So, grab your apron and get started - the world of time-saving cooking awaits you!
