I’ve bought the app

Now you are a proud owner of the PlanBuyCook app, you are keen to get cracking. Here are some quick tips on how to get the most from the app.

First step is to go to the SETTINGS icon on the PLAN tab. Set the standard number of servings you would like the meals to automatically scale to (between 1 and 10 serves).

Scroll through the meals to see what takes your fancy. We’ve done a quick selection of 10 super easy startup meals that are great for any time of year, all of which are on the table within an hour. Pick a few of these each week to introduce into your household. You will be amazed how quickly your household will take to these easy meals. Introducing two new meals a week is a relatively easy way to start.

Ten easy startup meals

Asian beef mince
Easy tuna pasta
Fried rice
Lamb kibbeh
San choy bau
Gado gado
Chilli con carne
Chicken and veal pasta
Chicken hokkien noodles
Bean quesadillas

Once you choose them, tap, drag and drop (or select) the meals into the day you plan to cook them. Then head to the BUY page and tap on the meals you wish to shop for. Tapping on the meals in the iPad version and the trolley in the iPhone version automatically adds all the ingredients to the shopping list.

Add in your other items such as fruit and veg, breakfast and lunch food, household items, toiletries and food from other meals you are planning on cooking. Then use the green button on the bottom right hand side to send the list to your smartphone from the iPad if needed. If you are planning on your iPhone, simply take your phone to the supermarket and cross off items as you find them, or email the list to someone else to do the shopping. The email allows you to tick off the items as you walk through the supermarket or specialty shop.

Tap on the meal icon on the day you have planned the meal to go straight to the COOK page for that meal, which is scaled to the number of serves you selected on the planner. You can also highlight the step in the method you are on for easier reading by clicking on the text in that step. There are also handy built-in timers for several steps.

If these meals are winners with your household, check for the freezer icon (the white snowflake) on the recipe photos on the PLAN page and double the servings next time you cook. This way you are banking additional meals in your freezer.

By planning your meals and using the shopping list well you can reduce the amount of food wasted and number of trips to the supermarket each week. The more recipes you use the easier it becomes and the more food you have in your freezer – the ultimate time saver.

Check out these blogs as well for more information on meal planning: