I love to batch cook early in the day - today: baked chicken, egg roll in a bowl, and crunchy broccoli salad with cranberries, red onions, and walnuts, and chicken veg soup. There is something so satisfying about looking into the fridge and freezer, knowing no food is going to waste, and there is something minutes away from being able to serve as dinner.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Love that! I feel that too

@LaundryFaerie

16 күн бұрын

This, but since I'm not an early riser I will often batch cook in the middle of the night, especially this time of year when it starts to get blazing hot in North America.

@rena4220

12 күн бұрын

Thanks for mentioning broccoli salad. I have all the ingredients. Just right for this hot weather we are having.

I love watching your videos, not just for money saving tips but for proper English. English is my second language, and listening to correct English helps me learn.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

10 күн бұрын

@@evgeniagasumova4487 Thank you so much. Your written English is perfect.

101F (38.3C) here. Saving money by not eating. Absolutely no desire to eat when it is so hot! Anyway, you've probably said this before, but it has hit me that everything you do is intentional. I've been trained to multitask (military, teaching, motherhood) and it is difficult to get out of that mindset. Saving money is an intentional task. Not wasting food is intentional. You have to focus and think about it, plan and adjust as needed. Epiphanies come to me more slowly at 64!

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Thanks so much

great tip with the garlic & herb cream cheese for the risotto, will remember that one - I love having a morning in the kitchen batch cooking for the freezer - fake away tonight with home made pizza using some discounted smoked ham from Lidl, and using up onions that were fried up yesterday for the meal, and sour milk that Id left to turn - I notice one of your dogs is wearing 'the cone of shame ;-) hope all is OK with her

@FrugalQueeninFrance

15 күн бұрын

So good!

Good Idea! I did that for the Fourth of July and have food leftover for the rest of the week. I used up the shredded cabbage I had sitting in a container by taking a granny smith apple which was on it's last legs, cutting it into matchsticks, combining it with the cabbage, some lemon juice (so the apple didn't go brown) and some poppy seeds to make apple/cabbage slaw. Then I cooked my potatoes which were going soft after cubing them for potato salad. I used a homemade (with store mayo which needed using up) garlic aioli and chopped up some onions which were also going soft. It was a perfect accompaniment to the bratwurst and buns I had in the freezer. The next day I made a farro salad with things I had in my pantry: farro which was at the end of the best by date, a small jar of marinated artichokes, sun dried tomatoes which were open, a can of cannelini beans which was just past the best by date, a cup of olives sliced which were almost at the best by date and some spices, some oil and vinegar. Very yummy! I love the fact that being frugal forces creativity. Necessity is truly the mother of invention. Cheers!

@FrugalQueeninFrance

15 күн бұрын

Great

It all looks delicious, but especially the jam sponge. Yum!

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Oh yes!

Creative and inspiring! Thanks, Jane. I do a 48-hr fast every few weeks and have to make sure I use up whatever is fresh or leftovers in the fridge before I begin my fast. Last night, I sauteed a pan of fresh veggies and refrigerated them and then made fruit smoothies from the ripe mangos, peaches and bananas and froze them. That way nothing will go to waste AND I'll have food ready to eat when I finish my fast. Win-win! And the fruit flies won't be hanging around my fruit bowl! Ha!😊

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

That’s a great idea

I would so love to share some of our summer with you!!! The heat index has been over 110 almost every day for weeks....and the humidity is over 70 percent.....so very uncomfortable!

We're about to re-do our kitchen, so we're trying to get some food ready that we can easily heat up in the microwave. The fridge/freezer and the microwave will be in the dining room during the disruption.

I do not batch cook anymore, since it's only myself and my freezer is taken up with food for my animals, but I do batch canning of soups and stews to have cheap and easy meals on hand. My all time favourite is hamburger soup - recipe for which I found on The Hillbilly Kitchen channel. I think you and Mike might like it too. All it requires is one pound each of potatoes, minced beef and carrots, with an addition of sweetcorn, onions and tinned tomatoes (or tomato paste) and some stock or water. It's a hearty, chunky soup great for the wet summer we are having. Your pudding looks delicious btw. I'm very tempted to try it as I have all the ingredients on hand, plus it's pouring rain here in my corner of Ireland so I can't do any work outside. Enjoy your weekend 😊.

Lovely meals. I love the tip about adding cream cheese to a risotto. I like this style of cooking. I feel a little like being on top chef when I have a challenge to use specific ingredients 😊

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Thanks, us too

Very productive morning!

@FrugalQueeninFrance

14 күн бұрын

Yes it was!

Everything looks so good! I'm going to try that risotto. I'm in the process of going through my freezer for a good clean-out.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

15 күн бұрын

Hope you enjoy

Batch cooking saves money. Split it up into one portion containers and put in the freezer. Get one out at night before going to bed and put it in the fridge in the morning. Come in from work and whilst cooking some pasta, rice etc whilst getting changed and then whack in the microwave. Almost instant food.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Great idea!!

What a fabulous morning's work, I try not to waste food so I always check what we have and what can be made. You are all set there, I love the look of those puddings. Have a lovely week. ☺

Thanks for the inspo, Jane! I've just moved & I need to clear some stocked up pantry items since our new space is different, and now I must find new homes. Wish me luck :D

@FrugalQueeninFrance

12 күн бұрын

You can do it!

Oh my! Lucky you that I don't know where you live or I would have invited myself to that delicious risotto!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Great job! I hope your doctor's appointment goes well.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

@@Mirth-l7l all good, three monthly check up

You are so inspiring Jane!! Looks delish. What happened to your dog? Wearing the "cone of shame" Outstanding video.

Lovely hearty food! I'm currently squirrelling away home grown soft fruit for winter puddings , cakes and jams - love a blackberry/apple cake.

Terrific meals from the back of the fridge and freezer ✔️No waste in your kitchen. Also a great way of having a productive stay at home day 😊 Lovely jam sponge puffy with custard -delicious Thank you Mike and Jane also doggies for another great video 👍🇦🇺

@FrugalQueeninFrance

15 күн бұрын

@@muttersmenu2422 thank you so much

@muttersmenu2422

15 күн бұрын

Hopefully you are still taking time to enjoy the cycling 🚴 in France 🇫🇷

Wow that all looks very tasty Jane! Simple ideas with ingredients we all have! Thanks for sharing. Have a good weekend , from a rain soaked UK❤️🇬🇧

@FrugalQueeninFrance

15 күн бұрын

Thank you! You too!

Your pure joy..Thank you.

Great ideas Jane!

Jane thanks so much for explaining about cake or pudding. I may try this during the holidays later, looks delicious! Also what happened with the pup Dolly or Mary?

Wow. So excellent! My family moved in with me for about the next year. And I am NOT used to cooking for 6 people because it has been just me and the doggy for many years. I am having to learn how much each of us eats, (my 8 yr old granddaughter eats more than I do!) and to try to portion ingredients accordingly. So far each meal has had lots of left-overs and we are eating them for lunch and supper the following days. It is just not practical for us to have any food waste at all. Fortunately, I have lots of food in the house and the only things we are buying are fresh vegetables, fruit and other highly perishable items. Thank you for your plans. I will totally adapt them to my situation.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

@@tikacalifornia7876 thank you

Effective and delicious! You are inspiring me to clean out my stored foods, as well, and hopefully create good meals from them.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

@@happydodson6920 good luck

Thank you Jane for explaining the difference between a pudding and a cake as I've always wondered. Everything looked wonderful. We are also eating through our fridge, freezer and cupboard for the whole month of July. I want to see how little I can spend on groceries and warned my family that no extras will be purchased this month unless they are purchasing their own 😊. So far so good 👍

@FrugalQueeninFrance

14 күн бұрын

You are so welcome!

Oh my goodness Jane those are fabulous recipes. I am working through things in my chest freezer and batch cooking as well. It is such a great use of time. Make multiple meals all in one sitting and using up what you have on hand. We too here in the tip of the mit (mitten of Michigan), are not getting a typical summer either. I am grateful not to be getting what my children in California,and Oklahoma are getting, 104,112 degree days.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

I’m much happier with too cool than too hot

After celebrating Independence Day here in the states- there were lots of leftovers to share or repurpose or freeze. Great ideas

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Sounds great!

You are a creative genius! It all looks wonderful! I'm inspired to go clean out my food stores!

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Thanks so much! 😊

This was great 👍🏾

I love batch cooking and cleaning out the bits from fridge and freezer to create meals. I just love your jacket you started and ended in. Very cute and the colors/pattern flatter you.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

12 күн бұрын

@@cm-nj thanks

Inspiring! Thank you, Jane.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

You are so welcome!

Your batch cooking looks so delicious especially the jam pudding. I hope your dog is okay, since she's wearing a cone around her neck. Great video ideas.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Thanks

As always everything looks delicious. Thanks for sharing Jane Mike and puppies ❤

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Our pleasure!

Jam sponge pudding looks so yummy!

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

It was!

😊💜.....thank you for all you share.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

You are so welcome

Love the look of everything, but especially your clever risotto. I thought I had to buy special Aborio rice, but you made yours with short grain which I always have on hand.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

11 күн бұрын

Thanks so much

Fantastic video. I love using up what we have. And now to you tube how to make jam sponge pudding! Looked so yummy

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Thanks

Hi Jane. Great video. Next time can you kindly cook it? Also, do you like glass or cooking containers better for freezing?

All looks lovely Jane. Some great tips as usual. I'm currently winding down my freezer as it's ready for defrosting. Yes, the weather is strange right now. Being told we're in for another heatwave later next week. Will believe it when it comes. Thank you both for sharing this. 🤗🥰

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

I'd just like it not to be cold.

@sheila1013

16 күн бұрын

@@FrugalQueeninFrance Me too. 🤗

Thankyou for sharing these recipes.. they all looked delicious 😊❤

Wish I could batch cook today but it was 38 c with 80 per cent humidity and my ac was not working! But they are announcing milder temps soon and some rain which hopefully will get rid of all of this humidity and allow me a full day in the kitchen. It was a salad and Greek yogurt day for meals. With ice cream and lots of water. Great recipes today! Have a great weekend.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Thanks

I love cooking like this

As always looks delicious! Thanks for sharing. 😊

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

My pleasure 😊

I add it to to drained pasta (hot) stir it in with some leftover ham, or other cooked meat, some cooked veg, a little parmesan - or any cheese, delicious. I also serve it with any salad that wants using up too. P.❤

@FrugalQueeninFrance

15 күн бұрын

Sounds great!

It all looks so delicious.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Thanks

Maybe I missed it but I would enjoy seeing your canning process. Not American jars - so I'm curious. My cousins in San Antonio, Texas, make Tex-Mex migas with Chorizo, scrambling it into eggs along with onions, peppers, crumbled fried corn shells (or chips for us mortals) and cheese. Good any time of day. Thanks, as always, for your clarity and good work!

What a great answer to the 'what's the difference between a cake and a pudding' question! Though then there's bread pudding (not bread and butter pudding) which can be eaten with hands... Maybe that's like the little word 'seize' in the i before e rule. All looks very delicious and inspiring anyway!

@FrugalQueeninFrance

14 күн бұрын

Thanks

Lovely cooking !

@FrugalQueeninFrance

15 күн бұрын

Thank you so much

Thanks for sharing.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Our pleasure!

👍👍👍

Those are some beautiful meals.😊

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Thank you 😋

your meals always look so good!!!!

@FrugalQueeninFrance

14 күн бұрын

Thank you 😋

You did an amazing job. Here on the east coast in the US it is extremely hot and humid.

I bought some onion chip-dips a treat, on the weekend when I was away with my daughter; but I bought much too much! I'm going to use it to "creamy up" my soup like you did with the cream cheese. Should be good! I also had some on my toast and egg this morning instead of butter. It was good, too. I'm going to try freezing some as well. It will probably change the texture a bit - but for cooking? Who cares. 😊

@FrugalQueeninFrance

13 күн бұрын

Sounds great!

Fantastic! Batch cooking excellence. Everything looks delicious. That pudding,jam...sponge....looks so yummy. I never made such in my life,because really avoiding sugar foods. But I admit I am tempted looking at yours. And you said apples,that was it. Deserts with apples are always lovely and delicate. Batch cooking is such a life changing strategy,let's just admit it. You did a great job! Organized,yummy ( I trust) and various. Zero waste. 👍🏻🥳

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Thank you so much

What a great spread. Home cooked meals are always the best. I’ve never got the appeal of takeaways. If I want someone to prepare a nice exotic meal for me as a treat or celebrations I’d rather go to a restaurant, than have it come cold In polystyrene. And these pizza and burger joints do nothing for me. Apart from a chippy once or twice a year on our holiday. Homemade so much better and cheaper. 25 years ago home cooking was the everyday, now they are convinced they can’t cook and need to buy takeaways or ultra processed meals.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

10 күн бұрын

I don't understand it either

We call it sponge pudding ding ding as we cook and heat it up in the microwave.

You are an amazing cook Jane! Can I ask, was it Home Economics that you taught?

@FrugalQueeninFrance

13 күн бұрын

@@Barneysma no it wasn’t . Thanks for watching.

Hi Jane and Mike!! I’m new to sponge pudding. I was wondering how it is cooked, I believe you mentioned the oven, does it have to be in a dish with water and at what temperature? I’m also gluten-free, did you use gluten-free flour for the sponge cake? Thank you for your help. Looking forward to making it.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

15 күн бұрын

@@cindymccorkle7440 all my cooking is GF. Baked in the oven at 180°c for 20-30 minutes and no water bath

I noticed that you said you defrosted your fish, did you cook it before freezing again. Some great ideas, I like a quiche and a good healthy soup. I like risotto but my hubby not keen.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

11 күн бұрын

Yes I did

Can you give us the recepie on the pudding, please❤

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

@@anetteolofsson4315 sponge is same weight of eggs, butter, sugar and flour with 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Add cooked apples to the sponge and jam to the base of the pudding.

@anetteolofsson4315

16 күн бұрын

@@FrugalQueeninFrance Thank you!!!

All looks yummy, do you list the ingredients and recipes somewhere at all, some I could do no problem but just wondering please

@FrugalQueeninFrance

4 күн бұрын

It was!

I see the answer for the pud recip belowe. maybe I missed it in the video, but are the eggs weighed in the shell? and is the pud steamed or baked. If baked, what temp please. And if steamed how long. Greetings from an old Brummie in North bay Ontario:):)

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Google Victoria sponge recipe. It was baked

@christinebrush4399

16 күн бұрын

@@FrugalQueeninFrance Thank you.

Jane, you said equal parts of flour, sugar, eggs, and butter for your sponge pudding. How much did you use for the two puddings you made?

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

I weigh the eggs first, used four eggs and then the same weight for each other ingredient. Google Victoria Sponge recipe.

@jewelgaither1504

16 күн бұрын

@@FrugalQueeninFrance Thank you so much! Have a blessed day.

A good and interesting video. Yesterday I cooked your leak and potatoes open pie. It was jummy. Thanks for sharing ❤

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

Yummy

Oh, poor baby is wearing a cone. I hope all is well.

Thanks for yummy ideas. I hope the puppy is ok, I notice a cone on her. Thank you Jane Mike and puppies.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

@@user-tm5kc8oq4y she keeps scratching her ears, she has an ongoing ear infection that's being treated

@user-tm5kc8oq4y

16 күн бұрын

@@FrugalQueeninFrance Hope she heals quickly. Thanks.

@LaundryFaerie

16 күн бұрын

​​@@FrugalQueeninFrancePoor pup. Hoping the infection clears up quickly. We once had a cat who scratched herself constantly and shook her head so violently the tips of her ears started to droop from structural damage. We took her to the vet, thinking she might have fleas or some other parasite. Turned out she had an allergy to the additives in her food that was causing her skin and ears to itch constantly. Putting her on a different food fixed the issue in days. I was distressed that she suffered as long as she did because she couldn't tell us what was happening.

@lorelei9393

16 күн бұрын

Those all look great. What a productive morning. Hope the pup is better soon

How does the mash freeze?

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

@@maureencasey7500 ok if you cook from frozen

@maureencasey7500

16 күн бұрын

@@FrugalQueeninFrancethanks. Do you out it in the oven for n low or 350 degrees?

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

@@maureencasey7500 180 centigrade until cooked

@maureencasey7500

16 күн бұрын

@@FrugalQueeninFranceThank you Jane.

Looks great! Your future self will thank you. What happened to the puppy with cone on??

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

@@Amanda-pv9kz ear infection

I've also heard some Brits use "pudding" as a synonym for dessert, as in "lovely meal, dear, what's for pudding?" This feels a bit like the "candy/sweets" divide, actually. The differences in the way we wield our shared language are endlessly fascinating to me

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

I like the analogy

Can you and your husband get everything done that you want to in Brittany without speaking French? I know you said that you were taking French lessons.

@FrugalQueeninFrance

16 күн бұрын

@@joannadee3565 speaking French is essential, especially for all matters medical. We speak sufficient French to do what we need to do