Batch cooking for one

Craftyscholar

I am now the proud owner of a 3.5 litre slow cooker (special offer in Sainsburys).
So when I have done the freezer/store cupboard challenge and defrosted the freezer I will be all set to batch cook and freeze.
Any suggestions for the best way to store stews, soups etc?
I know that you can buy sealable bags, but wondered if there might be a risk of accidents.
Just been reading the Lock and Lock thread and see some people use them for soup.
(Either way think I can see a trip to Lakeland coming on )

What do the OS experts suggest?

Craftyscholar

Toxic_Lemon

I use either Lock and Locks or I use my vaccum sealer machine and label the bags as the memory is waning! :eek:

tigerlily

I just use normal food bags and tie the tops-no accidents yet and the bags are much cheaper, am with toxic lemon....always label the bags!!

chardonnay_2

i find the foil tubs are great and makes portion control really easy (like takeaway tubs) we get ours from poundland but tesco etc will sell them

Seakay

I freeze liquids in rectangular plastic tubs so that they are block shaped, then store them in plastic bags with the air sucked out (with a straw) and a label tied on. I bought a cheap set of freezer proof tubs in different sizes (which can be used for storage as well). The pastic tubs that some takeaways come in are also useful for storage in the freezer as they have their own lids (and are sort of free).

apple_mint

We've built up a stock of tubs which we have bought each time we visited the supermarket. ASDA sell a good selection. In addition have, when desparate for containers, used 1 pt plastic milk containers for soup and this works quite well in the short term (but you do need to defrost thoroughly rather than rely on using the microwave).

tawnyowls

chardonnay wrote:

i find the foil tubs are great and makes portion control really easy (like takeaway tubs) we get ours from poundland but tesco etc will sell them

Poundland do the plastic takeaway tubs too, as do the 99p shop, if there are any branches near you. The Poundland ones seem to be a bit deeper - depends on how big you like your portions! I prefer the tubs, as they can be reused. I've tried reusing the bags, but even in the dishwasher, it's a bit of a faff washing and drying them, plus they only seem to last a couple of uses before springing a hole (not good with soup!), whereas the tubs seem to last for ages. They're much better for other sorts of batch cooking like lasagnes, shepherd's pie etc too.

Gaia

We freeze in old margerine/ice cream/take-away tubs 'cos they're free and stack easily. Either that or plastic freeezer/sandwich bags with those metal ties that always come with them.

As well as labelling with the contents always label with the date too so that you can use up older batches first.

Slow cookers are also great for batch cooking chillies and bolognese.

Have fun!