You may be wondering how to offer varied meals to your baby, when all you eat yourself is the leftover pizza from last night’s takeaway. Let’s face it, it’s not always easy to find inspiration to vary the meals of little ones or find the time to prepare healthy meals when you are exhausted at the end of the day. This is where batch cooking comes to the rescue.
What is Batch Cooking?
To put it simply, batch cooking is where you cook a lot of food in one go and then store it.
How do I batch cook when weaning?
We believe that batch cooking is not necessarily about cooking a load of meals at once. What we do think, is that when you are making freezer friendly meals, whether for the family or for baby, that you make more than needed so that you can freeze it.
If you get into the habit of doing this, then your freezer will soon be full of a variety of different meals ready when needed.
It’s also great if baby is spending the day with family as you have something healthy already prepared to send with them.
Remember to get yourself a range of containers for storing your batch cooking. Béaba Multiportions have 6 compartments and can go in the fridge, freezer, microwave and oven. With Béaba Glass Storage Jars you can accurately measure portion size and can defrost and reheat baby’s meal in your Babycook®. And don’t forget to label what you freeze!
What foods should I batch cook?
When you first start weaning baby, you are more than likely puréeing one ingredient e.g. apple, pear, carrot. If you freeze some of each, you will soon have enough to mix and match your frozen purées when baby is ready for something more adventurous like avocado and peach or pumpkin and banana. This will also help baby expand their tastes and get them used to different flavour combinations.
Once you and baby are getting the hang of basic purées, then you can start to try meals like spag bol, fish curry, veggie risotto or chicken soup. All of which can be made into purées for baby and also enjoyed by the whole family.
Even if you are using baby lead weaning, you can still freeze healthy muffins (both sweet & savoury), bites, patties and fish cakes.
Most importantly, experiment and have fun!
Benefits of batch cooking:
Saves Time and Effort
One of the biggest advantages of batch cooking is that it saves you time in the long run. Instead of cooking daily, you can prepare large quantities of food in one go and store them for future meals. This means fewer days spent chopping, steaming, and pureeing food—leaving you with more free time to spend with your baby.
Ensures Nutritional Balance
Batch cooking allows you to plan meals that offer a wide variety of nutrients. You can incorporate different fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains into your baby’s diet across the week, ensuring they get a range of essential vitamins and minerals. Planning and cooking in advance helps you be more intentional about what your baby eats.
Reduces Stress During Mealtime
With pre-prepared meals ready to go, mealtimes become less stressful. Instead of scrambling to figure out what to cook or rushing to prepare something last minute, you can simply reheat a healthy, homemade meal. This is especially helpful during those unpredictable moments when your baby is fussy or hungry earlier than expected.
Cost-Effective
Batch cooking is a cost-effective way to feed your baby, as buying ingredients in bulk is often cheaper. Plus, you’ll be less likely to rely on expensive pre-made baby foods or processed options. By cooking at home, you have full control over the quality of ingredients and can save money in the process.
Portion Control
By batch cooking, you can portion out exactly what your baby needs for each meal, reducing waste. Whether you use small containers, freezer trays, or ice cube molds, portioning food ensures your baby gets the right amount without leftovers spoiling in the fridge.
Convenience for On-the-Go Parents
For parents with busy schedules, batch cooking is a lifesaver. When you have a stash of meals in the freezer, you can grab a container and go. This is particularly useful for daycare, playdates, or when you're traveling with your baby. You’ll always have a nutritious, homemade meal ready to heat and serve.
Encourages Homemade Meals
By committing to batch cooking, you’re more likely to stick to homemade meals rather than resorting to store-bought baby food. This gives you complete control over the ingredients, ensuring there are no hidden additives, preservatives, or excessive salt and sugar in your baby’s diet.
Supports Baby’s Exposure to New Flavours
When you batch cook, you can experiment with a variety of recipes and ingredients. This helps expose your baby to different flavours and textures, which is crucial in developing a healthy palate. You can introduce new foods slowly and in combination with familiar favourites, making it easier for your baby to accept new tastes.
Reduces Food Waste
Cooking in large batches allows you to use up ingredients that might otherwise go to waste. Instead of letting small amounts of fruits or vegetables spoil, you can incorporate them into baby-friendly recipes and freeze them for later use.
Great for Meal Prepping
Batch cooking fits well into a meal-prepping routine. You can plan your baby’s meals ahead of time, ensuring they have a balanced diet throughout the week. This also allows you to prepare meals that the whole family can enjoy together, making mealtimes more inclusive and fun.
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Batch cooking when weaning