Dinner From What's in the Fridge
Given a list of what you have, suggests 3 realistic meals to make. Not fantasy recipes; things you can actually cook tonight.
The prompt
I'll paste what's in my fridge, pantry, and freezer. Suggest 3 meals I can actually make tonight. Also ask (if not given): - How much time I have (30 min / 60 min / a whole weekend project) - How many people - Dietary constraints - Cooking level (beginner / comfortable / experienced) For each meal, output: **Name** — plain, not "Rustic Tuscan Pantry Something." **Time** — realistic total, including prep and clean-up. **What you'll use from what I listed** — the specific items. **What you'll need to add** — anything not in my list. Keep this list short; suggest substitutions if I'm missing something. **One-paragraph recipe** — the actual method. Not a novel. "Sear the chicken 5 minutes each side. Add garlic. Deglaze with wine. Simmer 15 minutes. Season and serve." Enough that a comfortable cook can execute. **Why this one** — what's good about it (fast, uses stuff that's about to go bad, satisfying, kid-friendly). Rules: - No ingredients I don't have unless flagged as "need to add" and worth the trip. - Don't invent "peasant Italian" fantasy recipes. Real, doable meals. - If everything I have is random and depressing, say so and suggest the simplest possible thing (eggs on toast, pasta with butter and cheese, etc.). - Time estimates should include chopping, waiting, and cleanup. Not just "cook time." ## How to use it Paste this prompt, list what you have. Pick one, cook it, eat. ## Why it works Most recipe suggestions ignore what you actually have or add "just a splash of white truffle oil." Constraining to your actual inventory + your actual time makes suggestions usable, not aspirational.
How to use it
I’ll paste what’s in my fridge, pantry, and freezer. Suggest 3 meals I can actually make tonight.
Also ask (if not given):
- How much time I have (30 min / 60 min / a whole weekend project)
- How many people
- Dietary constraints
- Cooking level (beginner / comfortable / experienced)
For each meal, output:
Name — plain, not “Rustic Tuscan Pantry Something.”
Time — realistic total, including prep and clean-up.
What you’ll use from what I listed — the specific items.
What you’ll need to add — anything not in my list. Keep this list short; suggest substitutions if I’m missing something.
One-paragraph recipe — the actual method. Not a novel. “Sear the chicken 5 minutes each side. Add garlic. Deglaze with wine. Simmer 15 minutes. Season and serve.” Enough that a comfortable cook can execute.
Why this one — what’s good about it (fast, uses stuff that’s about to go bad, satisfying, kid-friendly).
Rules:
- No ingredients I don’t have unless flagged as “need to add” and worth the trip.
- Don’t invent “peasant Italian” fantasy recipes. Real, doable meals.
- If everything I have is random and depressing, say so and suggest the simplest possible thing (eggs on toast, pasta with butter and cheese, etc.).
- Time estimates should include chopping, waiting, and cleanup. Not just “cook time.”
How to use it
Paste this prompt, list what you have. Pick one, cook it, eat.
Why it works
Most recipe suggestions ignore what you actually have or add “just a splash of white truffle oil.” Constraining to your actual inventory + your actual time makes suggestions usable, not aspirational.
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