How do I work out what a meal actually costs per portion?
A repeatable way to price a meal, including the energy it takes to cook, so you can see where the money really goes.
beginner20 min4 min read
Meal Planning
Cooking once, eating well several times.
53 guides in Food & Cooking
Can I par-boil roast potatoes the day before?
Yes, and they roast better for it. How to par-boil, rough up and hold potatoes for up to two days, and the one step people skip that ruins the crust.
beginner20 min3 min readCan I make gravy in advance and reheat it?
How to build a gravy base days ahead, what to thicken it with so it survives reheating, and how to fold in the roasting-tin juices on the day so it still tastes like it was made from the joint.
beginner30 min3 min readHow do I make mashed potato ahead of time?
Mash holds and reheats far better than its reputation suggests, if you make it slightly richer than you want it and reheat it gently. Including whether it freezes — it does.
beginner25 min3 min readCan I cook pasta ahead of time?
Yes, and caterers do it constantly. Undercook, shock, oil and chill — then bring it back in thirty seconds. The specific changes that stop it turning into a solid block.
beginner15 min3 min read
Going deeper: PizzaHQ
Dough hydration and fermentation schedules, flour selection, oven types and bake profiles.