How to Bulk Cook with a Friend-Part Two

Yesterday I posted about our process of compiling a shopping list for bulk cooking.  Let's continue where we left off.

*I take my 6 spreadsheets and then input the information into another spreadsheet.  Click here to see what I use. This spreadsheet comes from Food Storage Made Easy...it was intended to be used as a calculator for a 3 month food supply, but I have found that it also works well for make a shopping list for us!  At the top of the page you will see a link for instructions on how to use this document.  I would highly recommend going through it as it will make life easier. My description of how I do this might not make sense until you watch the instructional video.  Here is what I do....

-I type each recipe name into the columns across the top (the pink area).

-I then list the ingredients and the size (cup, oz., lb., etc.) for the first recipe in the appropriate columns.  I input the amounts (under the recipe name). Since my friend and I shop separately I input the doubled amount from the original recipe since that is what each of us needs to buy. If one of us were to do the shopping (which has happened a couple of times) I put in the quadrupled amounts.

-I do this for the rest of the recipes making sure that if the same ingredient shows up in another recipe that I go back to the original listing and input the amount for that ingredient.  That way I have one listing for, let's say, chopped onion, and I know the total amount of onion I will need for all my recipes.

*The shopping list spreadsheet is then emailed to my friend, and we shop separately for our items.

*On cooking day, my friend and I come together and cook and then divide the recipes.  One thing to keep in mind is what containers you are going to put the meals in.  We use freezer Ziplocs or glass pans (if it is like a casserole).  Make sure you have enough of the right types of containers.  Ziplocs are nice because they will take up less space in the freezer.

Hopefully, I have explained the process well enough...let me know if you have any questions.