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The Batch Lady: Shop Once. Cook Once. Eat Well All Week.
Save time and money and eliminate food waste with this charming and practical handbook from online sensation the Batch Lady, who teaches home cooks how to master meal prep and planning to create tasty meals the whole family will love.
Today’s home cooks want meals that are easy and delicious and use seasonal ingredients. But our overstretched, hectic lives make cooking from scratch every day difficult. Suzanne Mulholland—a time management expert known to the world as the Batch Lady—understands the challenges that limit our hours in the kitchen. In this warm, funny, practical cookbook, she shares her life-changing recipes and techniques to help home cooks create fresh, delicious meals that add taste and variety without breaking the bank. The secret: batch cooking that emphasizes planning and preparation.
In her delightful Scottish voice, Suzanne shows you how to prepare different dishes using similar base ingredients in one big batch—optimizing shopping, prep, and clean-up time while maximizing storage space and reducing waste. Her recipes are simple, short, and yummy and accommodate a variety of tastes and dietary restrictions. With considerations for portion control, budget, and family size, her methods and techniques can be adapted to suit any kind of lifestyle or personal needs.
The Batch Lady offers time-efficient, strategies and recipes such as Paired Meals, including Massaman Curry + Moroccan Lamb Chops, Spaghetti Bolognese + Chili, and Vegetarian Tagine + Spicy Bean Burgers, and other tasty fare. She also teaches you how to create 10 meals in an hour, whipping up different dishes at the same time that use similar base ingredients such as:
Vegetarian—Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Coriander and Feta; Mediterranean Casserole; Bean Burgers; Butternut Squash and Chickpea Tagine; Sweet Potato and Spinach Curry
Chicken—Chicken Balti; Enchiladas; Bride’s Chicken; Mozzarella Hasselback Chicken; Hunter’s Chicken
Best of all, mastering the methods and recipes in The Batch Lady will help you feel in control and empowered in the kitchen, no matter how busy your day. A cooking lifestyle “hack” packed with fresh, tasty food and illustrated with dozens of inspiring color photographs, The Batch Lady will revolutionize how you cook today—and every day.
Today’s home cooks want meals that are easy and delicious and use seasonal ingredients. But our overstretched, hectic lives make cooking from scratch every day difficult. Suzanne Mulholland—a time management expert known to the world as the Batch Lady—understands the challenges that limit our hours in the kitchen. In this warm, funny, practical cookbook, she shares her life-changing recipes and techniques to help home cooks create fresh, delicious meals that add taste and variety without breaking the bank. The secret: batch cooking that emphasizes planning and preparation.
In her delightful Scottish voice, Suzanne shows you how to prepare different dishes using similar base ingredients in one big batch—optimizing shopping, prep, and clean-up time while maximizing storage space and reducing waste. Her recipes are simple, short, and yummy and accommodate a variety of tastes and dietary restrictions. With considerations for portion control, budget, and family size, her methods and techniques can be adapted to suit any kind of lifestyle or personal needs.
The Batch Lady offers time-efficient, strategies and recipes such as Paired Meals, including Massaman Curry + Moroccan Lamb Chops, Spaghetti Bolognese + Chili, and Vegetarian Tagine + Spicy Bean Burgers, and other tasty fare. She also teaches you how to create 10 meals in an hour, whipping up different dishes at the same time that use similar base ingredients such as:
Vegetarian—Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Coriander and Feta; Mediterranean Casserole; Bean Burgers; Butternut Squash and Chickpea Tagine; Sweet Potato and Spinach Curry
Chicken—Chicken Balti; Enchiladas; Bride’s Chicken; Mozzarella Hasselback Chicken; Hunter’s Chicken
Best of all, mastering the methods and recipes in The Batch Lady will help you feel in control and empowered in the kitchen, no matter how busy your day. A cooking lifestyle “hack” packed with fresh, tasty food and illustrated with dozens of inspiring color photographs, The Batch Lady will revolutionize how you cook today—and every day.
256 pages, ebook
Published May 5, 2020
894 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 5, 2022
I'm the sort of person who buys food in bulk, always checks the price per unit, and calculates the cost per meal that I get for every weekly shop. My average is about £1 per meal.
So the idea of batch cooking is right up my street. It's also something, strangely, that I've never had time for. I understand that it is supposed to save me time but it seems like a lot of upfront work.
This book is exactly what I was looking for. A quick introduction to the idea of bach cooking with a handful of poultry, meat, fish and vegetable dishes as your mainstay.
I've no idea how it stacks up against other cooking books because cooking books are the one type of book that I hardly ever read.
It remains to be seen whether or not this will revolutionarise my culinary life. But I plan to give batch cooking a shot and now, thanks to this book, I have a good idea what to do.
So the idea of batch cooking is right up my street. It's also something, strangely, that I've never had time for. I understand that it is supposed to save me time but it seems like a lot of upfront work.
This book is exactly what I was looking for. A quick introduction to the idea of bach cooking with a handful of poultry, meat, fish and vegetable dishes as your mainstay.
I've no idea how it stacks up against other cooking books because cooking books are the one type of book that I hardly ever read.
It remains to be seen whether or not this will revolutionarise my culinary life. But I plan to give batch cooking a shot and now, thanks to this book, I have a good idea what to do.
January 2, 2021
This recipe has changed the way I cook and has saved me so much time and hassle and washing up! I've cooked a few of the 10 meals in one hour recipes and yes it's taken more than an hour for each one but the results are amazing. My freezer is full of meals for a whole month, my family eats decent meals every night and I get more time to spend with my family and less stress worrying about what's for dinner.
July 28, 2025
I love The Batch Lady's ethos. Yes, I am going to use shortcuts. No, I really can't be bothered to cook from scratch every night. I don't take joy in cooking. Alas, I can't afford to live off takeaways and ready meals are not terribly exciting, hence - batch cooking.
Honestly, if she made a vegetarian cookbook, I would be thrilled.
Honestly, if she made a vegetarian cookbook, I would be thrilled.
October 18, 2020
While I think the theory of this cooking method is solid, I just don’t see myself using it. I also don’t see myself using any of the actual recipes in this book much less the large batch cooking plans.
This recipe book seems like a collection of one specific family’s meal plan/method designed to be copied into the reader’s own family. It’s just not realistic to cut, copy, paste anyone’s recipes or methods exactly into one’s own family unless you don’t cook at all and are looking to completely start anew or to replace your own cooking.
I would much rather see tips on how to make the overall idea and concepts work for your own family’s recipes. She’s definitely got me thinking about ingredient sharing when I meal plan and better planning/splitting of my leftovers! But to adopt the whole plan seems like an upheaval I’m not prepared to commit to.
This method is just not to my personal style, but it may work great for others. The author is seeking to drastically reduce her kitchen time, but if you enjoy cooking and you don’t want to eat out of the freezer constantly (no matter how good the recipes are), I’d say take a pass on this book.
This recipe book seems like a collection of one specific family’s meal plan/method designed to be copied into the reader’s own family. It’s just not realistic to cut, copy, paste anyone’s recipes or methods exactly into one’s own family unless you don’t cook at all and are looking to completely start anew or to replace your own cooking.
I would much rather see tips on how to make the overall idea and concepts work for your own family’s recipes. She’s definitely got me thinking about ingredient sharing when I meal plan and better planning/splitting of my leftovers! But to adopt the whole plan seems like an upheaval I’m not prepared to commit to.
This method is just not to my personal style, but it may work great for others. The author is seeking to drastically reduce her kitchen time, but if you enjoy cooking and you don’t want to eat out of the freezer constantly (no matter how good the recipes are), I’d say take a pass on this book.
April 12, 2021
I like the concept, but I didn't find the recipes appealing.
Read
November 12, 2020-i appreciated how she could take similar ingredients to easily prepare two different meals. that could be a big time saver.
-i was unimpressed with the recipes. there are barely any herbs or spices or seasonings used.
-the only things that interested me were an apple and blackberry braid, and a tomato free pasta sauce.
-cooking 10 meals in an hour, when each meal serves 4 is a bit overkill for only me on my own, but i can see how that could be great for a large family. (i want to batch cook because i'm disabled and cooking this way saves me a lot of time and effort for those bad days when i'm not ABLE to cook.)
-she pushes heavily to buy pre-chopped veggies and precooked mashed potatoes. sure, that saves you time. but they're far too expensive for me, i cant afford to go that route living on disability. but because of her using store-bought pre-chopped food, there is zero chopping time included for preparing these recipes. everything would actually take longer to prepare if you have to chop your own vegetables like i do.
-she recommends a 3-drawer freezer. which sounds wonderful, but costs over $2000. again, i dont have that kind of money to throw around.
-i was unimpressed with the recipes. there are barely any herbs or spices or seasonings used.
-the only things that interested me were an apple and blackberry braid, and a tomato free pasta sauce.
-cooking 10 meals in an hour, when each meal serves 4 is a bit overkill for only me on my own, but i can see how that could be great for a large family. (i want to batch cook because i'm disabled and cooking this way saves me a lot of time and effort for those bad days when i'm not ABLE to cook.)
-she pushes heavily to buy pre-chopped veggies and precooked mashed potatoes. sure, that saves you time. but they're far too expensive for me, i cant afford to go that route living on disability. but because of her using store-bought pre-chopped food, there is zero chopping time included for preparing these recipes. everything would actually take longer to prepare if you have to chop your own vegetables like i do.
-she recommends a 3-drawer freezer. which sounds wonderful, but costs over $2000. again, i dont have that kind of money to throw around.
January 9, 2024
UPDATE: I made six of the recipes in the book in 3.5 hours this Sunday, which will give us 8 meals total. I started out making 7 recipes, but one was an abject failure that cost me about a pound of ground beef literally going in the garbage as inedible. Several finished products I tasted before refrigerating or freezing and they were pretty good. The one we had tonight was amazing (with a couple of small modifications, like, you know, adding flavor). Two remain to be seen. So, clearly, a mixed bag, but the book did inspire me to think about how to cook ahead by batching recipes efficiently.
I checked this book out of the library after flipping through it in a bookstore. I love the idea of it - pre-cooking, especially multiple recipes at a time, is something I’d really like to get better at because we’re both quite sick of cooking dinner almost every night at our house.
Recipes with similar ingredients are paired together, and each section ends with a combined list of five recipes that you can theoretically make double batches of in an hour, putting 10 meals in your freezer at a time. While this is a five-star approach, I think this book needs a second edition to iron out some of the kinks. There are some vague instructions (e.g., what size “chunks” are you cutting? What is the total cooking time on this step?), some U.K.-specific ingredients that would be a real challenge to procure here in the US, and a few of the recipes sound quite bland. The “10 meals” groups at the end of each section do not include pictures (and, frankly, some of them are only portions of meals, where you’d still need to add a base or side).
Overall, a great idea for a book, if not the best execution. Also, someone please send a memo to the U.K. that “fajitas” are not made with ground beef. Those are tacos. 🌮
I checked this book out of the library after flipping through it in a bookstore. I love the idea of it - pre-cooking, especially multiple recipes at a time, is something I’d really like to get better at because we’re both quite sick of cooking dinner almost every night at our house.
Recipes with similar ingredients are paired together, and each section ends with a combined list of five recipes that you can theoretically make double batches of in an hour, putting 10 meals in your freezer at a time. While this is a five-star approach, I think this book needs a second edition to iron out some of the kinks. There are some vague instructions (e.g., what size “chunks” are you cutting? What is the total cooking time on this step?), some U.K.-specific ingredients that would be a real challenge to procure here in the US, and a few of the recipes sound quite bland. The “10 meals” groups at the end of each section do not include pictures (and, frankly, some of them are only portions of meals, where you’d still need to add a base or side).
Overall, a great idea for a book, if not the best execution. Also, someone please send a memo to the U.K. that “fajitas” are not made with ground beef. Those are tacos. 🌮
December 14, 2024
So I measure a good cook book by if at least 3 recipes jump out at me that I want to. Obviously the more recipes I want to try, the more I like the book.
I really do want to get into batch cooking, just to save myself some headache during the week.
I’m actually surprised at how many cheese sauces she has in this, as generally it used to not be recommended for freezing cheese sauce dishes. But hey, if it works it works.
I think I bookmarked at least 6 recipes in this that I think I could get my picky eater children to eat. So all in all, not bad. I will check out the rest of her books as well.
However, Fajitas are never made with mince (ground beef). What is she thinking?! Knocked a star off for that.
I really do want to get into batch cooking, just to save myself some headache during the week.
I’m actually surprised at how many cheese sauces she has in this, as generally it used to not be recommended for freezing cheese sauce dishes. But hey, if it works it works.
I think I bookmarked at least 6 recipes in this that I think I could get my picky eater children to eat. So all in all, not bad. I will check out the rest of her books as well.
However, Fajitas are never made with mince (ground beef). What is she thinking?! Knocked a star off for that.
January 31, 2021
Fabulous
Having never properly batched cooked before I wasn’t sure if the recipes would be to my family’s taste however these are all ingenious flavourful meals that really do take next to no time when you follow the authors methods. My youngest son and I have this afternoon knocked up 2 types of chicken pasty, chicken fajitas and chicken, tomato and chorizo pasta sauce which will see us well fed for the next 4 days. I will definitely be referring to this book at the weekends for more batch cooking inspirations. I recommend this book - its brilliant.
Having never properly batched cooked before I wasn’t sure if the recipes would be to my family’s taste however these are all ingenious flavourful meals that really do take next to no time when you follow the authors methods. My youngest son and I have this afternoon knocked up 2 types of chicken pasty, chicken fajitas and chicken, tomato and chorizo pasta sauce which will see us well fed for the next 4 days. I will definitely be referring to this book at the weekends for more batch cooking inspirations. I recommend this book - its brilliant.
March 12, 2021
This cookbook offers shortcuts (or "cheats") and a plan to make multiple meals at once. The recipes in the book are similar to recipes that I already have in rotation and I prefer mine.
A "cheat" the author did not suggest is frozen meatballs.
I would recommend this book for someone willing to plan ahead, have freezer space and set aside time to make many meals at once. Instructions are given for cook times to cook, to freeze and cook from frozen.
A "cheat" the author did not suggest is frozen meatballs.
I would recommend this book for someone willing to plan ahead, have freezer space and set aside time to make many meals at once. Instructions are given for cook times to cook, to freeze and cook from frozen.
June 30, 2023
Really useful inspiration
This is the sort of book I needed at the moment. Good recipes that are healthy without preachiness, the logical steps for how to create a number of meals together so you maximise time, energy and output. Also reminded me of how as a student living with students and feeding more students at weekends, I planned much better. So not only these meal plans, but inspiration to reboot some old favourites as well. Great help
This is the sort of book I needed at the moment. Good recipes that are healthy without preachiness, the logical steps for how to create a number of meals together so you maximise time, energy and output. Also reminded me of how as a student living with students and feeding more students at weekends, I planned much better. So not only these meal plans, but inspiration to reboot some old favourites as well. Great help
May 12, 2020
Save cooking time on a varied diet
This excellent book gives ample recipes for saving time with home made frozen food. There are meat, fish and vegetarian recipes plus some deserts. The ingredients for completing batches are listed plus cooking from frozen instructions. A very useful aid in the kitchen.
This excellent book gives ample recipes for saving time with home made frozen food. There are meat, fish and vegetarian recipes plus some deserts. The ingredients for completing batches are listed plus cooking from frozen instructions. A very useful aid in the kitchen.
January 5, 2021
A bit disappointed by the way the book lays out recipes. I enjoy batch cooking and not necessarily using the same bases to make lots of different meals. I took a few ideas from the book but haven't even looked at it again since my first read. It's also quite a short book, I think I read it in an hour or so!
April 20, 2022
I found a cook after mine own heart: someone who wants tasty home cooked meals made the most efficient way possible. While I don't have the freezer space to do her method, the book did cause me to think of ways I can make my meal preps more efficient. I saved a few recipes, and the one I already tried (chile salmon and rice) was very good.
March 25, 2020
A new way of cooking
Excellent a new way of cooking for busy people. Lots of inspiring recipes and plenty of good photographs even if you don't batch cook. Full of helpful tips and information. A totally different way to shop and cook. Thank you Suzanne.
Excellent a new way of cooking for busy people. Lots of inspiring recipes and plenty of good photographs even if you don't batch cook. Full of helpful tips and information. A totally different way to shop and cook. Thank you Suzanne.
May 8, 2021
Love the approach. Instructions for eating fresh, freezing and reheating.
Loved that there was pictures for everything. I need visual cookbooks.
Just not a lot for me, personally, to make. But would def check it out if she did more cookbooks. I got a couple things I’d be interested in trying.
Loved that there was pictures for everything. I need visual cookbooks.
Just not a lot for me, personally, to make. But would def check it out if she did more cookbooks. I got a couple things I’d be interested in trying.
November 15, 2022
Full of great ideas, tips and tricks
Full off ideas to compile and organise the weekly meal plan. Love the idea of reducing your meal prep and washing up by doing it all at in one prep session.I'm definitely going to give this a go.
Full off ideas to compile and organise the weekly meal plan. Love the idea of reducing your meal prep and washing up by doing it all at in one prep session.I'm definitely going to give this a go.
November 2, 2020
Great idea not sure if my family will enjoy most of the recipes. I plan to try some.
November 18, 2020
I didn't really read much in this one. It seemed to be about making large volume of certain recipes, which is not what I need right now.
November 25, 2020
A very interesting book that has recipes side by side so that you can cook two at once and then put one in the freezer.
June 3, 2021
Truly, not my cup of tea.
September 26, 2021
I really like the idea in principle, but this particular book was a bit too meat based for me. Great ideas though.
April 16, 2022
So many good recipes and tips that I plan on using.
August 16, 2022
Lots of great recipes and how-to’s to help even a novice become a batch cooker.
May 2, 2023
Some good ideas for busy people with families. Like a lot of things, practice will improve your efficiency, you just need to get organised.
February 4, 2024
Great idea but it doesn’t easily translate for people with dietary limitations.
June 22, 2024
The Batch Lady budget friendly recipes
Another great recipe book. Lots of lovely easy to follow recipes. My freezer is going to be full in no time.
Another great recipe book. Lots of lovely easy to follow recipes. My freezer is going to be full in no time.
April 15, 2025
I liked the idea of batch cooking more than the actual recipes. I did find the beginning information helpful.
June 12, 2025
brilliant batch lady
Excellent easy to follow instructions very tempting recipes
Can’t wait for my online shopping order
Well done Suzanne good job
Excellent easy to follow instructions very tempting recipes
Can’t wait for my online shopping order
Well done Suzanne good job
October 5, 2024
Borrowed from Libby (library e-book) I’ve been making the fish chowder (and my own variations such as chicken & tarragon / turkey) ever since. Only a tablespoon or so of double cream needed to add richness. I freeze the rest of a tub in small batches to use at other times. Also I make dill ice cubes so the rest of the packet of fresh is not wasted. I know I will be making this chowder for years. I’ve tried lots of others over the years, but this is the best!
Some of the recipes are high in fat and salt so I would adjust them.
23/12/20
Still cooking the fish chowder regularly and adapted it for chicken chowder, leftover Christmas turkey chowder etc. Winner!
5/10/24
Some of the recipes are high in fat and salt so I would adjust them.
23/12/20
Still cooking the fish chowder regularly and adapted it for chicken chowder, leftover Christmas turkey chowder etc. Winner!
5/10/24
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews