Prep it, Freeze it, Cook it! – The Grab Bag Slow Cooker Book by Abeygale Burne.
A kitchen lifesaver for busy minds and full days.
While the school runs may now be a thing of the past for me, life hasn’t slowed down one bit, it’s simply shifted. These days, it’s caring for ageing parents that takes priority, alongside juggling my own commitments. Finding the time (and energy) to cook wholesome, nourishing meals, not just for myself but for them too, can often feel like an uphill battle. That’s where Prep it, Freeze it, Cook it! has become an absolute game changer.
Abeygale Burne has created something really special here: a practical, fuss-free guide to meal prepping with heart. The idea is simple yet brilliant, prepare your ingredients ahead of time, pop them into labelled freezer “grab bags”, and when you’re ready, defrost and let the slow cooker do all the work. It’s home cooking on your terms, and it couldn’t be easier.
This book feels tailor-made for anyone trying to strike that delicate balance between looking after others and remembering to care for themselves. With clear step-by-step instructions, batch prep tips, shopping lists and a whole selection of comforting, flavour-packed recipes, Abeygale makes it easy to stay on top of meals without having to think about them every single day.
What I really appreciate is the sense of control and calm this system gives me. On those emotionally and physically draining days, knowing that dinner is already prepped, waiting in the freezer, is a quiet kind of relief. Whether I’m visiting my parents, taking them to appointments, or simply too tired to start from scratch, I can still serve up a nutritious, satisfying meal, no stress, no fuss.
The recipes themselves are refreshingly straightforward, budget-conscious, and made from ingredients most of us already have in our kitchens. Plus, there’s a good variety from comforting stews and curries to lighter dishes and family classics. Each one feels like a warm hug after a long day.
Here is one of my favourites: Bread & Butter Pudding
A delicious treat to have after dinner, the cinnamon and nutmeg will fill your house with the most incredible smell. Try making this around Christmas time, head out for a nice garden centre trip and then come home to the smell of Christmas from your kitchen!
Ingredients:
10 slices brioche loaf (about 400g/14oz), cut into 2.5cm (1 inch) square pieces
200g (7oz/1 cup) granulated sugar
250g (9oz/1 heaped cup) unsalted butter, cut into small cubes, plus optional extra for greasing
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
100g (3½oz/¾ cup) raisins
½ tsp ground nutmeg
A pinch of salt
Non-stick cooking spray, for greasing (optional)
4 eggs
500ml (17fl oz/2 cups) whole milk
Custard, cream or fresh fruit to serve
Method
Put the brioche, sugar, butter, cinnamon, vanilla, raisins, nutmeg and salt into a grab bag. Mix together well.
Remove as much air as you can from the bag before sealing. Label the bag with the contents and the date you prepared it. Write on the front that you need to add the relevant quantities of eggs and milk at the time of cooking (or a note to refer to this page number). Place the bag in the freezer, making sure it lies as flat as possible.
Defrost the bag thoroughly in the fridge for approximately 8–10 hours before cooking.
To cook, spray the bottom of the slow cooker bowl with the non-stick cooking spray, or grease with a thin coating of butter. Empty the contents of the bag into your slow cooker. (You can wash the bag and reuse, but don’t forget to re-label.)
In a bowl beat the eggs with the milk, then add to the slow cooker. Stir everything together well.
Set the temperature to low and cook for 3 hours, giving it a stir after the first 30 minutes.
Serve the pudding with custard, cream or fresh fruit.
Abeygale’s story — a busy mum who discovered the joy of slow cooking and built a loyal TikTok following by sharing it, is both inspiring and relatable. Her tone throughout the book is friendly and practical, without being preachy. She understands the real-life chaos that surrounds mealtimes and offers a genuinely helpful solution.
In short, Prep it, Freeze it, Cook it! isn’t just a cookbook, it’s a kitchen strategy for real life. Whether you’re managing a hectic household, supporting elderly parents, or simply trying to make space for your own wellbeing, this book offers the kind of peace and practicality we could all use more of.
It’s helped me take back time, reduce the daily dinner stress, and care for myself and my loved ones in the process. A must-have for anyone with a full plate, in every sense of the word.
Available from White Lion Publishing here.
Poppy Watt