Did you catch my post about how to make the most of your freezer? I talk about bulk cooking as a way to feed yourself on a budget and make the most of any left over ingredients.
To follow up with this post I thought it may be helpful to show you some of my favourite recipes that are great to cook in bulk and keep extra portions in the freezer.
A beany chilli is easily frozen and lovely served with rice or on a baked potato. By having a portion of this in the fridge you always have something hearty, filling and healthy ready to go.
I often freeze extra falafel or beany burgers ready to defrost for either a quick snack or for a quick lunch on a busy weekend afternoon. Defrost them, re heat them and pop them in a wrap with some salad! These falafel are full of herby flavour and can be frozen before or after cooking, just freeze them in balls for ease of cooking!
Every time I make soup I seem to make 6-8 portions so this is always cooled and put straight in the freezer! I reserve soup for week day lunches, I find having a constant batch in the freezer means I always have something to pull out ready for the next day. Great for making sure you don't have to spend any money on lunch when you haven't had time to prepare anything. This carrot, lentil and ginger soup is really warming and tasty :)
Any kind of recipe baked in a lasagna dish is usually going to end up in my freezer. If you have a big family this probably won't be the case!! For me it could easily last 6 days! I always slice my dish up before serving to help with portion control too :) This aubergine bake freezes well, defrost it at room temperature and heat up in the oven.
Pasta sauces are another one I like to bulk cook and then freeze. I LOVE bolognese and it is always a good evening when I know I am coming home to just sit down (probably with wine) and tuck into a bold dish like this without even having to break a sweat. Boil your pasta, stick your sauce in the microwave, delicious!
I think my reason for putting pizza dough in this list is self explanatory. By making an extra base in advance you can have healthy home made pizza in literally 20 minutes. Roll it out, top it, bake it, done!
There is always a can of beans in my cupboard, I can't lie to you wonderful people. BUT when I make my home made beans I try to make atleast 6 portions and keep it, so that I can enjoy a much better breakfast but still with the same simplicity and satisfaction of heating up a can of beans and pouring them on toast.
Friday night always feels like it should be curry night! Sometimes I hit the takeaway and sometimes I dig in the freezer for something that will do the trick. This aubergine and tomato curry is extremely frugal, simple and full of flavour. It freezes well and is perfect served with a tasty naan bread to soak up the juices.
What meals do you bulk cook and freeze? Do you ever have leftovers or is your dinner time a bustling affair full of full faces and not much left over? :) One day I imagine I will look back and laugh at how much food I used to have left over after cooking!
