The Batch Lady: Cooking on a Budget: Unlock the power of batch-cooking with simple, freezable, store-cupboard recipes that won't break the bank from Sunday Times best-selling author

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My freezer is now full with a months supply of meals 🤣 thank you Susanne I shall continue to follow you.

Put the oil in a deep-fat fryer or large, deep-sided saucepan and heat slowly until the oil reaches 180°C/350°F. If you aren’t using a deep fat fryer and don’t have an instant-read thermometer carefully add a spoonful of the batter (see below) to the pan – if it floats and turns golden brown within 60 seconds then the oil is ready. If the batter burns then the oil is too hot and should be carefully removed from the heat to cool down. While the oil is heating, combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl, then slowly pour in the water, whisking continuously to a smooth batter as you do. Pat the fish fillets dry on kitchen paper, then working with a single fillet at a time, dip the fish in the batter until fully coated and carefully transfer to the hot oil. Cook the fish in two batches for 3-5 minutes each, until the batter is crisp and golden and the fish is cooked through. Remove the fish from the oil and leave to drain on kitchen paper while you cook the second batch.

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Over time, I found that cooking once a week with a view to freezing meals was the best way to save time, money and my peace of mind. This way, I could add salt or spice to some portions before serving, thus keeping everyone happy and healthy. This deliciously gooey bread and butter pudding, spiked with luxurious chocolate chips, takes a family favourite and elevates it to the next level. Make this whenever you have a loaf of bread that’s past its best that needs using up for a thrifty treat that minimises on waste. If you’re cooking now… Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and cook for 30-40 minutes, until the chips are crisp and golden. Serve hot.

Pour the beef mixture into a medium baking dish and arrange the sliced potatoes over the surface, overlapping them slightly to create an even layer that covers right to the edges of the dish. Drizzle with a little olive oil, then transfer to the oven to bake for 30 minutes, until the potatoes are golden and the mince is bubbling. Reheat some chilli until piping hot, then spoon over crunchy tortilla chips and grate over a little Cheddar cheese, finishing with some jarred sliced jalapeños and a couple of fresh coriander or baby mint leaves, if you’ve got them. Sweet potato chilli quesadilla Spread the slices of bread with the butter, then cut in half diagonally so that you have 18 buttered triangles coated in butter. Arrange half of the bread, buttered-side down and slightly overlapping, in a medium baking dish to form an even layer that covers the surface of the dish.

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If you’re serving now… Cut the pudding into wedges and serve hot, with double cream alongside for pouring. If you’re making ahead to freeze… Set the bread and butter pudding aside until cooled to room temperature, then cover with a lid or wrap in a layer of clingfilm followed by a layer of foil, label and freeze flat for up to three months. If you’re going to make one meal, simply double the ingredients to make another. It will only take about 3 extra minutes! Always make a basic recipe, that way it’s easy to add spices and salt to taste after you have portioned out the kid’s meals.

If you’re cooking now… Remove the lid from the stew and arrange the raw dumplings over the surface, cover with the lid again and continue simmering for another 20 minutes, until the dumplings are puffed up, light and fluffy. Spoon into serving bowls and serve hot.The Batch Lady method will inspire you to make fast, simple and portion-controlled meals in under 10 minutes. By spending a couple of hours, one day per week, cooking meals that have the same basic ingredients, you can prepare a host of varied, healthy and delicious dishes, which you can pop into the freezer until you need them.

If you are making spaghetti bolognaise, you will need chopped onions, mince and grated carrots. You also need those ingredients to make, burgers, meatballs, chilli, fajitas and lasagne: one large pot of veg and mince will serve as a base for six different dishes. If you want to save time and money in the kitchen, while making your ingredients go further, get on board with batch cooking. Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla extract and cocoa powder in a measuring jug until combined, then pour over the bread mixture in the baking dish. Sprinkle the sugar over the surface of the pudding and scatter over the remaining chocolate chips, then carefully transfer to the oven to bake for 30 minutes, until the surface is crisp and golden and the egg, milk and cream mixture has set. Heat the oil in a large saucepan with a lid over a medium heat, then add the onions, garlic and celery and cook, stirring, for 4 minutes, until soft. Serve your children curries, chilli and fajitas, but adapt them to their palates by adding crème fraiche to their portions prior to serving, so they get a milder version of your meal.Remove the pan from the heat, add the flour and toss gently to coat, then add the oil to the pan and toss again. Season with salt, then tip the chips onto the prepared baking sheet and spread out in an even layer.