Batch cooking is the art of preparing all meals for the week in a single cooking session. Less stress in the evening, less waste, more variety. And with the Cocotte 007 meal planner, it's even simpler.
What is Batch Cooking Exactly?
The principle is simple: you dedicate 2-3 hours on Sunday to cook the bases of your weekly meals. Not complete fixed dishes, but components you assemble differently each day.
Step 1: Plan with the Meal Planner
This is THE key to successful batch cooking. Before cooking, plan your week's meals with our meal planner:
- Choose 4-5 recipes for the week
- Click "AI Menu" for automatic balanced menu generation
- Check the generated shopping list sorted by category
- Export to your preferred store or print it
Step 2: Smart Shopping
The planner's shopping list is already sorted by aisle. Additional tips:
- Buy basics in bulk: rice, pasta, canned tomatoes, spices
- Prefer local, seasonal produce
- Freeze what you won't use within 3 days
- Use My Fridge: our My Fridge tool suggests recipes with what you already have!
Step 3: The Batch Cooking Session
- Start with long-cooking items: rice, roasted vegetables, soup
- While they cook, prep raw vegetables
- Cook proteins: chicken, meatballs, lentils
- Prepare sauces: vinaigrette, tomato sauce, homemade pesto
- Portion and store: airtight containers, labeled with date
Storage Guide
| Food | Fridge (days) | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked rice/quinoa | 3-4 | 2 months |
| Cooked chicken | 3-4 | 3 months |
| Roasted vegetables | 4-5 | 3 months |
| Soup | 4-5 | 3 months |
| Tomato sauce | 5-7 | 6 months |
FAQ
How long does a session take? 2-3 hours for 4-5 meals. With practice, it drops to 1.5 hours.
Is it really economical? Yes. By planning, you avoid impulse purchases and waste. Estimated savings: 20-30% on food budget.
