GUIDE
How to choose dinner from what you have
A practical way to choose a recipe by your fridge contents, available time and servings. Check missing ingredients and substitutions before cooking.
Start with the ingredients you want to use
Add ingredients available in your kitchen to the fridge feature. Start with the ingredient you want to build the meal around, then add the rest. You do not need to know the dish name in advance.
A recipe match is a starting point. Before cooking, check the full list: the ingredient form, amount and preparation required. Raw and cooked versions are not always interchangeable in the same method.
Check missing ingredients and substitutions
Compare your available food with the recipe list. Only a few missing items does not mean you have enough of everything else for the servings you want. Copy the shopping list if you need to replenish supplies.
Approved substitutions appear alongside the ingredients. Read their notes too: changing an ingredient may affect flavour, texture or preparation. If a substitution is not listed, a similar name is not confirmation that it will work.
Match the recipe to your day
Check the total preparation time and equipment. When dinner needs to fit into a short window, the time from starting to serving matters, including cooking and resting, not just hands-on minutes.
Set servings before starting. Tick off prepared ingredients and completed steps, then save the recipe if you want to return to it. Next time you choose a meal, you can start with your own favourites.
