Episode 3

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 help the Shah family in Potters Bar to transform their mealtime mayhem into a harmonious feast of efficiency and flavour. The family struggle to find common ground when it comes to food, with different tastes and needs - ranging from Grandma's cherished vegetarian Indian dishes to dad Bunty's dietary restrictions due to Crohn's disease - their mealtimes often become a battle of takeaways and convenience foods. This reliance on quick fixes is taking its toll on their health and on their budget too. Joe and Suzanne investigate the Shahs' cooking and shopping routines to get to the root of the problems and reveal just how much time mum Panna spends in the kitchen trying to keep everyone happy. To restore order, Suzanne introduces her batch cooking strategies, showcasing time-saving recipes such as veggie katsu curry, Mexican burritos, and three versatile chicken dishes, all ideal for preparing in advance and freezing. After four weeks, Joe returns to see whether batch cooking has restored harmony to Shah family mealtimes.