Amy Jones, 40, from Aberystwyth, Wales, was constantly tied to the kitchen, cooking meals from scratch for her family of four. But she’s since discovered a game-changing approach to batch cooking that’s saved her over £500 a month on food expenses and given her more free time to enjoy with her kids.

Here’s how she does it: Amy spends just four hours whipping up six weeks’ worth of dinners for her family, using a compact freezer to store 40 servings of her batch-cooked meals. The key is to prepare multiple dishes at once, using the oven and stovetop to cook up to four meals simultaneously.

Benefits of Batch Cooking

• Saves time: With meals pre-cooked and stored in the freezer, Amy saves up to 50 minutes a day on meal prep and reheating.
• Reduces food waste: Amy uses up fresh produce within two days, and her batch-cooking approach ensures that she’s always using up ingredients.
• Saves money: Amy estimates she’s saved over £520 per month on food expenses, thanks to her frugal approach to cooking and shopping.

But batch cooking isn’t just about saving time and money – it’s also about creating a sense of calm and order in the kitchen. For Amy, it’s been a game-changer. “Batch cooking has given me the capacity to be myself again,” she says. “I always wanted to cook homemade food, but I was constantly just in the kitchen. Having meals on hand in the freezer that can be microwaved and reheated has saved me hours. And I have the headspace to breathe.”

Amy’s Batch Cooking Routine

Amy’s cooking routine involves dedicating a couple of hours to whipping up multiple meals in one go. She makes sure to have at least four different dishes cooking simultaneously – two on the stovetop and two in the oven. This efficient process is carried out twice every six weeks, yielding no less than 10 diverse meals each time.

Amy’s meals are always a mix of her favorite dishes, including stews, lasagne, and chicken pie. She also makes sure to rotate her meals throughout the year and the seasons, throwing in extras like bread and salad to keep things interesting.

One of the key takeaways from Amy’s approach is the importance of planning ahead. She creates a seasonal plan and groups meals that she knows will cook together nicely. She also makes sure to use up fresh produce within two days, reducing food waste.

The Benefits of Planning Ahead

• Reduces stress: By planning ahead, Amy can avoid the last-minute rush to get dinner on the table.
• Saves time: Planning ahead means Amy can dedicate specific times to cooking and prep work.
• Saves money: Planning ahead allows Amy to shop more efficiently and reduce food waste.

Amy also emphasizes the importance of being flexible and not getting too caught up in the idea of batch cooking. “It may seem like a lot at first, but it has been extremely freeing for me and my family,” she says. “I can spend more time with my kids and I have developed some good habits out of it.”

Amy’s Tips for Getting Started

• Tidy up your freezer beforehand: Make sure to clean out your freezer and get rid of any old or expired food.
• Have ample containers and bags ready: Invest in some good-quality containers and bags to store your meals.
• Don’t bite off more than you can chew: Amy recommends starting small and gradually increasing your batch cooking sessions.

By following Amy’s approach and tips, you can also start saving time and money on food expenses. And who knows, you might just discover a new passion for cooking and batch cooking!

Conclusion

Amy Jones’ extreme batch cooking approach has been a game-changer for her family. Not only has it saved her over £500 a month on food expenses, but it’s also given her more free time to enjoy with her kids.