Cooking in bulk not only saves you time but also money. Here are some tips for bulk cooking…
If you grow weary cooking dinner every night, then consider cooking in bulk. Not only will it save you time, but money as well. What's more, you won't have to clean up your kitchen every night.
Better Than TV Dinners or Takeouts
In today's hectic world, many busy moms rely on TV dinners and takeout foods. These convenience foods are fine for a while, but you can easily tire of them. What's more, they're high in sodium, which isn't good for your health. If you like the ease of TV dinners, but want more control in your frozen dinners, then cooking in bulk is a viable option. When you do the cooking yourself, you know exactly how the meal is prepared. And It's cheaper than takeout. If you think it takes too much time, then consider the time spent driving to a restaurant for food.
How Many Meals?
How many meals you cook at once is up to you. Cooking in bulk simply means cooking more than one meal at a time. You could cook only two meals at once, two weeks' worth, or even a full month of meals.
Track Supermarket Sales
For example, if you see an inviting sale on ground beef, why not plan several meals around that type of meat? That doesn't mean you have to have a week's worth of meals made with ground beef.
Easy Bulk Dishes
Some dishes are easier to cook in bulk than others. Granola and chili recipes are good to cook in bulk because they don't take much longer to prepare whether you're cooking for two or twenty; they're ideal for bulk cooking. Assemble enough freezer-proof containers before you start so you can store each meal in separate single servings. Also, be sure the containers are microwavable, as well as ovenproof. Other dishes ideal for cooking in bulk include…
- Pasta/Spaghettis
- Soups
- Lasagnas
- Casseroles
Another way to cook in bulk is to make oversized batches of a variety of meals which you plan on eating several times. For example, take the pizza. You can prepare the standard dough and then add variety, using different toppings such as cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, anchovies, etc.
Bulk Cooking Saves Money
Cooking in bulk is also easier on your pocketbook. You don't need to shop every week for food. This allows you to grocery shop at the time when you have more money in the bank. When your money is running low, you can still have frozen meals stored in your freezer, as vegetables don't go bad when frozen in casseroles.
Tips for Bulk Eating
Defrosting
Let your meals defrost in the refrigerator. Rather than popping them straight in the microwave from the freezer, it's better to let your frozen meals defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Packaging
Use Ziploc Freezer bags as well as Saran Wrap and freezer paper. To save money, of course, you can use generic freezer bags. Experiment and discover what works best for you. Just be sure to wrap your meals securely enough to avoid any freezer burn. You can also use Tupperware containers and/or casserole dishes.
Labeling
Use permanent markers (such as Sharpie pens) to make sure the labels don't wipe off. Besides the name of the meal, also record the date it was frozen.
Finally, network with other busy women (or men) who cook in bulk. Not only can you exchange recipes, but you can also share tips to make the job easier and more enjoyable.
