I cook in batches earlier every week, mostly in double batches. Any working mother will empathize and recognize the value of this very common practice. Normally, I spend two mornings cooking and enjoy the benefits of healthy scrumptious satisfying homemade meals all week. It saves a lot of time and makes juggling life between single motherhood and work much easier and organized. 

Since I deeply dislike working on Monday mornings and since I am almost self-employed, I can allow myself the luxury of skipping work for a few hours to escape to the kitchen. It’s grounding, centering and gratifying. 

Yesterday I was short on time, I prepared a Bolognese sauce out of two kilos of minced meat, divided over three comfort dishes: Spaghetti Bolognese for Monday, Shepherd pie for Thursday and Lasagna for Sunday.

Monday’s dinner!


There is a great deal of excellent recipes around but I have chosen for you my personal favorites for these three wonderful dishes, Ann Burrell’s luscious Bolognese, Gordon Ramsay’s hearty Shepherd Pie and Emeril Lagasse’s decadent beef Lasagna: