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Batch cooking: is it really a good alternative?

In a world where rush, comfort and time reign, you have to look for alternatives so that during the daytime we can do everything we have pending. One of those aspects in which society agrees that it is necessary to invest too much time is the more. Not in vain have companies such as wetaka, they take you home one great variety of dishes which, sometimes, you just have to heat up. However, there are still those who prefer to make their own food. And how do you combine this with time management? Well, with techniques like that of batch cooking. There are opinions of all kinds but, is this option really worth it? Let's see it!

What is batch cooking?

In case you don't know, the batch cooking -in Spanish, “batch cooking” - is a dietary technique that has gradually been implemented in society. It's about a organization method whose objective is plan meals for the week in advance so that you don't waste time cooking later. In other words: cook in one day what you will eat all week.

 

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Although this is, in essence, the main idea of ​​the batch cookingSome of them vary a bit and decide to spend a little more time in the kitchen. Thus, they cook in a few hours almost all meals of the week, but they reserve another day to prepare a couple of more elaborate recipes.

Aspects to take into account with batch cooking

So at first glance it seems to be the perfect method, which meets all the necessary requirements to eat healthy, homemade and in a short time. However, it is not as easy as it sounds. Some aspects must be taken into account to perform it correctly and that the foods lose the least possible flavor and properties.

 

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To begin with, the most important thing is to be clear about the dishes you want to prepare, and if they are suitable to be frozen or not. Sauces and stir-fries, vegetables, legumes and some meat dishes are foods that can stay in the refrigerator for several days without going bad. But now if you want to make accompaniments like rice or potatoes In order to be able to use it for several days and combine it with the main ones, they already lose a lot of quality in the fridge. 

Disadvantages of this culinary technique

There is no doubt that, when it comes to saving time and maintaining a clear planning of your weekly diet, the batch cooking is the perfect idea. However, like everything else, it also has a number of drawbacks which is what makes it question whether this technique is the most appropriate.

The main and most obvious is the quality of food. Even if it is preserved correctly, does a dish cooked in a container in the fridge and heated in the microwave not lose in texture? Well it is true that you do not have to cook, but without a doubt you lose, even a little, en gastronomic quality. Not to mention that certain foods lose a lot in flavor when taken reheated. 

batch cooking
Batch cooking | Source: Nutrionesencial.es

Another question that arises environment is whether you can find a wide variety of products to avoid eating the same thing every day. The most common is to use vegetables and legumes, due to the fact that they are better preserved. If you also want to include meat o fish, we return to the same unknown as before: its conservation. In addition to its taste, this issue is also important because a food poisoning.

And what about the unforeseen? It can always happen that, for some reason, one day you don't eat at home or you don't feel like eating the planned ration that afternoon. In these cases, the food you had prepared by then could spoil if you leave it for more days. It is, therefore, a technique that can sometimes leave a few margins too narrow

Conclusion about batch cooking

As you can see, it has its drawbacks and its advantages. Thanks to people like The Vegan Glory -one of the pioneers of this technique in Spain-, cooking is no longer a problem for people with little time during the week. But as in everything, there is two perspectives and the people who consider the freshly cooked food as a treat indispensable, they are not entirely in agreement with this organizational strategy. Perhaps the best thing would be to combine both alternatives: some days you cook at the moment, others you leave the container ready. 

In any case, it's a matter of trying it out and seeing how it works for you. Do you already practice the batch cooking? What do you think about her? Is it really comfortable for you? Do you get vary your recipes and eat healthy?

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