Bulk Cooking: “Go Further with Food”

Just because National Nutrition Month® is over doesn’t mean that we should forget this year’s theme of “Go Further with Food”. This post is a homage to slow cookers everywhere. It is also a homage to YOU, your wallet, and utilizing your food to the best of your ability! For some inspiration, listed below are a few recipes for that you can make in bulk sizes with the help and ease of your slow cooker. You can also easily create your own slow cooker meals at home using what you already have lying around in your kitchen. With cooking in bulk you can also cook with the intention of having leftovers, which has so many benefits! Here are some reasons why you should plan to cook in bulk, ways to reduce waste and some money saving pointers!

You’ll have much less to worry about meal-wise with the coming week. Think about the weekdays you come home from work and are just a little too lazy to cook. You just want to eat chips and guacamole or order takeout food- again. But wait! You already have a filling and healthy meal made by YOU waiting in your very own fridge. Isn’t that awesome? If you don’t think you’ll eat your leftovers in time before they spoil then it’s never a bad idea to throw them in the freezer. Freezing can preserve the nutrients of your meal and also totally ensures your food won’t go to waste.

You can also reduce your food waste by choosing to make a meal that utilizes what you already have in your kitchen. Like those carrots that have been sitting in your produce drawer, or that can of kidney beans that might be gathering dust in the back of your cabinet. You can easily improvise slow cooker recipes and skip the trip to the grocery store. You can even use existing recipes as inspiration and guidelines. Go further with your food and your wallet by utilizing the food you already have!

Did you know you can make your own vegetable broth from veggie scraps? It’s so easy. Instead of throwing away those carrot peels or other veggie odds and ends, just throw them in a plastic bag and keep them stowed away in your freezer. When you have about 2 to 3 cups saved- throw them in a pot of water with olive oil, salt, pepper and whatever else you fancy and boil until you reach a flavor you desire! Making your own broth can save you money and reduces your food waste- allowing you to go a lot further with your food!

Here are some slow cooker recipes that we hope inspire you to plan larger meals to get your through your week with tasty, nutritious food!