Batch from Scratch: Cooking for Less

Can batch cooking truly transform our dinnertimes? In this brand-new series, Joe Swash and batch cooking expert Suzanne Mulholland, aka The Batch Lady, dish out a proper helping of inspiration as they help families with great time-saving tips and easy-to-follow recipes, and prove that anyone can make mealtimes stress-free. Joe and Suzanne visit Falkirk to help the Brooks family tackle their mealtime mayhem. Mum Erin, a dedicated family support coordinator, struggles to provide nutritious meals that her family actually want to eat. Despite her best efforts, her cooking often falls flat, leading to unappetising dishes that the family have nicknamed 'disaster pasta' and 'barf Bolognese'. With three teenagers - Ava, Ivy and Marshall - quick to voice their disapproval, Erin's confidence in the kitchen has taken a hit. Adding to the challenge, Erin suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, making meal preparation even more daunting. And the family's mealtime mayhem is further exacerbated by dad Ally's long work hours and reliance on convenience foods. Joe helps Ally to break time-wasting shopping habits, while Suzanne introduces her batch-cooking strategies, including delicious recipes like veggie-packed sauces, a foolproof roast chicken dinner and hearty meals that can be frozen for later use. Can Erin transform from a frazzled cook into a confident meal planner capable of whipping up dishes that her family will love?

Can batch cooking truly transform our dinnertimes? Joe Swash and batch cooking expert Suzanne Mulholland, aka The Batch Lady, dish out a proper helping of inspiration as they help families with great time-saving tips and easy-to-follow recipes, and prove that anyone can make mealtimes stress-free. Joe and Suzanne meet the Knight family in Cambridge. Single dad Darran balances his full-time job as a teacher with looking after his two children. With so much on his plate, Darran's fallen into a cooking rut, relying heavily on the same jarred sauces and quick oven meals. Joe and Suzanne uncover Darran's habits and reveal the total time he spends in the kitchen, the number of trips he makes to the shops, and how his cooking habits are affecting his budget and the family's nutrition. To revitalise Darran's dull routine, Suzanne kicks off with a kitchen makeover, re-organising the space to make it perfect for batch cooking. She shares valuable time-saving tips and introduces delicious, batchable recipes that are perfect for his busy schedule, such as a sausage traybake, slow-cooked beef Massaman curry and pizza-flavoured stuffed chicken breasts. The kids also join in to help lighten Darran's load. When Joe returns to see how things have changed, has Darran's new batch cooking routine transformed his hectic life? 

Can batch cooking truly transform our dinnertimes? Joe Swash and batch cooking expert Suzanne Mulholland, aka The Batch Lady, dish out a proper helping of inspiration as they help families with great time-saving tips and easy-to-follow recipes, and prove that anyone can make mealtimes stress-free. This time, Joe and Suzanne help the Evans family in Bridgend reclaim their mealtimes. As parents of children with additional needs, full-time carers Kellie and Dom are struggling to find the time to provide nutritious meals for the family. Chaotic mealtimes and a disorganised kitchen have led to overwhelming stress and a reliance on convenience foods as they often resort to quick fixes like chicken nuggets and microwave burgers. Joe and Suzanne delve into the family's eating habits before offering practical solutions and brilliant hacks to simplify their cooking routine. Suzanne teaches Kellie and Dom how to prepare easy, nutritious meals that can be batch-cooked and frozen for later, including homemade burgers, vibrant stir-fries and family-friendly dishes that everyone can enjoy together. As they embark on this culinary journey, the Evans family begin to rediscover the joy of cooking. With Suzanne's bespoke meal plans and Joe's encouragement, they tackle their food challenges head-on. Can they transform their chaotic mealtimes into calm moments together as a family?