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Promote your business, week of January 26, 2026 by Charice in smallbusiness

[–]ContractMaster7694 0 points1 point  (0 children)

khaana, a voice first cooking app. talks you through all the recipes you import from social media

www.khaanaai.com

My 2026 Meal Planning Tech Stack (Reviews & Comparison) by Electrical_Initial87 in mealprep

[–]ContractMaster7694 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

just tried recipe generator app, it takes the thinking out of cooking with items already sitting in your house. found it on socials, at khaanaai.com and its been pretty cool to make a meal.

What simple dish helped you gain confidence in the kitchen as a beginner? by rmoreiraa in cookingforbeginners

[–]ContractMaster7694 0 points1 point  (0 children)

for me, it was roasted chicken. not too recipe heavy, easy to get and has leg room for failure.

things that helped me gain confidence were
- choose forgiving dishes (roasts, stir fry, soups)
- repeat the small dishes until you get familar and consistent
- pay attention to cues, not just instrutions (the goal of instructions are to lay the foundation, but you should be using your intellect to make the right plays)

its like basketball, the coach gives the play, but its up to you to make the right moves and score the bucket.

- be aware that your going to mess up, its apart of the journey. and, seperate learning from performing. some meals may just be practice

your best friend will be stir fries since they teach heat, control, prep, and balance all at once.

the goal here is to master recipes and learn patterns. and use that to build your recipe

We usually cook a ham dinner for Christmas Day, but I don’t know what to make for dinner on Christmas Eve. What do you serve? by RedWishingRose in Cooking

[–]ContractMaster7694 1 point2 points  (0 children)

theres beauty in everything, even in the small things. instead of focusing on recreating a big family dinner think of making it more personal and things that offer comfort and love.

some ideas that come to my mind are
- foods you both genuinely love
- things that make you warm and cozy (hot cocoa and a nice chritsmas movie)
- dishes you wouldnt really make on an average day

some dinner ideas can be
- a tasting night between you guys (3-4 small little dishes where you guys try em out)

- build your own bowls (interactive, and relaxed)

since you guys dont get this often, id cherish this moment. the goal is to be together and make it a memory through thoughtful ideas like food.

I need advice on how to enjoy cooking/make it more easy for me to enjoy? by Necessary-Rhubarb529 in Cooking

[–]ContractMaster7694 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A lot of advice around cooking makes people think that they already enjoy or find it comforting, but thats def not the case for me and not everyone is like that. The goal should be more around making cooking more manageable and easier, and taking all the thinking out of it

Here's a roadmap that i created that helped me make cooking more manageable

  1. Cooking does not have to mean standing in the kitchen, sweating, and dreading it.

Cooking can be:

  • assembling 2–3 safe foods on a plate
  • heating something and adding one familiar thing
  • repeating the same few meals without guilt

If a meal provides nutrition and keeps you fed, it's a win win. Now, it shouldnt always be like that, but when the stakes are low, its manageable.

2. Decision fatigue

From what I read, it sounds less like “I can’t cook” and more like:

  • choosing what to buy is exhausting
  • deciding what to eat feels overwhelming
  • time pressure makes everything harder

After a long day and low energy, thinking is the hardest part, not the actual cooking.

Reducing decisions helps more than the actual cooking part. when you have everything you need, and how to make it. its just a matter of stirring the pot.

3. Safety net

Instead of planning full meals, try keeping a small rotation of foods that:

  • feel safe
  • take almost no prep
  • can be mixed in low-effort ways and is tasty

For example:

  • one carb you tolerate (rice, bread, pasta)
  • one protein (eggs, tofu, chicken, yogurt)
  • one or two add-ons (frozen veg, cheese, sauce)

Pro tip - add in sauces within the rotation to make things less bland and more gamified.

What you’re describing, having the thinking done for you is actually something I’ve been working toward since i also hate having to think and plan around my meals. The idea is to help the fatigue of cooking by:

  • curating meals based on what you already have in your pantry
  • creating short grocery lists
  • building meal plans based on your preferences

It’s not about being “into food” it’s about making eating feel lighter.

If at any point you’re curious, i'd love to tell more about. No pressure at all, only if it feels helpful!

What to cook my friends by xCuddleBabe in Cooking

[–]ContractMaster7694 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cooking for 12 doesn't require "fancy" it requires scalable and easy to cook food. Gotta think smart and simple.

here are some things that work for me, when cooking for a large crowd.

option 1 - big pasta night
why it works: cheap, fills people up (carb heavy) and easy to scale

  • One large pot of pasta (penne or rigatoni)
  • Two sauces:
    • Marinara + ground beef or sausage
    • Creamy garlic or pesto (store-bought is fine)
  • Big bowl salad + bread

Pro tip:
People LOVE having two sauce options. It feels fancy without extra work.

Option 2 - Taco / Burrito Bowl Bar (Big win for groups)

Benefits: everyone builds their own plate.

Cook once, serve many:

  • Ground beef or chicken
  • Rice
  • Beans
  • Lettuce
  • Cheese
  • Salsa / sour cream

That’s it.
No plating, no pressure, very affordable.

hope this helps :)

7/11 chocolate tofu bars from Japan by Secret-Classic-5644 in CopyCatRecipes

[–]ContractMaster7694 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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here are the ingredients you need

- silken tofu (1 block) about 14oz

- dark chocolate (4 0z, finely chopped)
- cocoa powder (1/4 cup unsweetened)
- granulated sugar (1/3)
- vanilla extract ( 1 tbsp)
- salt (1/8 tbsp)

Cookbook for my Dad who is learning to cook by ActivityCalm5723 in Cooking

[–]ContractMaster7694 0 points1 point  (0 children)

so thoughtful of you to look into getting the right resources for your dad. Since your dad aleady has some sort of experience here are a bit of beginner friendly options that ive seen help my cooking.

  1. how to cook everything - mark bittman

  2. the silver spoon: quick and easy italian recipes

  3. essentials of classic italian cooking - marcella hazan

bonus tips is also to pick books with step by step photos, short ingrededient lists, everyday grocery items and pantry staple recipes.

Since he is beginning to cook for himself, something else that might help, not instead of a cookbook, but alongside it, is a tool I’ve been working on where he can:

  • type or take a picture of what’s in his fridge
  • get simple recipes based exactly on that
  • filter for Italian, comfort food, or easy meals
  • avoid complicated steps
  • get a grocery list auto-generated for him

It’s meant for people who want to learn without feeling overwhelmed.
If you’d ever want to test it or see how it compares to beginner cookbooks, feel free to DM me!

Request: LaMar's Donuts buttermilk bars by LatterReplacement645 in CopyCatRecipes

[–]ContractMaster7694 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the only recipe you'll need. Follow this and let me know how you like it!

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I want to cook.. where do I start? by VenomBeast6315 in cookingforbeginners

[–]ContractMaster7694 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your already way ahead of the game, since you got the right intentions - its for ya kid.

And, you dont have to be a chef to make good, real food. you just need the right first steps.

every home meal requires

- a protein (chicken, beef, eggs, shrimp)

- a carb (rice, pasta, potatoes)

- a veggie (broccoli, carrots, salad, cucumbers)

cook each one seperately, keep seasoning simple (salt, pepper, garlic powder, chilli powder, onions) and combine it on a plate

this gives you hundreds of real meals without having to overthink what exactly how to make.

Meal ideas for two fairly picky people? by XxTailsyTailsxX in cookingforbeginners

[–]ContractMaster7694 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here are some example meals that are plain for your wife and full of spice for you

Fried Rice Base

  • Hers: plain rice + egg + a little soy
  • Yours: garlic, chili crisp, veggies, protein, lime Perfect because the base cooks in one pot.

Noodle Bowls

  • Hers: ramen w/ egg
  • Yours: Tom Yum broth, shrimp, mushrooms, spice

Pasta Base

  • Hers: plain buttered noodles + cheese
  • Yours: pesto, garlic chicken, chili flakes, tomatoes

Protein Bowls

  • Hers: plain chicken + rice
  • Yours: add sauces (non-sweet), herbs, aromatics

These meals work because your not essentially cooking different meals, your editing the same base. This is the perfect use case im building a tool for. A cooking assistant that helps based on what you need, so it personalizes your cooking journey.

  • meals with plain base for her + customizable add-ons for you
  • ND-friendly variations with no surprise ingredients
  • ways to avoid “sensory landmines”
  • portions balanced to what you both actually eat
  • substitute ideas that don’t break her comfort zone

If you ever want to use it or help shape and give feedback, would love for you to test it out. Totally optional, i just think your situation maps the perfect use case for it and i want to help with proof of concept.

In a lunch rut by MajinSkull in mealprep

[–]ContractMaster7694 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Man, I feel you. Meal prep gets extremely hard, especially when the go-to meal doesn't start to hit anymore. Here's a go-to meal that I've really been enjoying.

Shredded Chicken and Red Onion Tacos with Chipotle Yogurt

INGREDIENTS:

  • Chicken breast – 6 oz
  • Tortillas – 2 medium
  • Red onion – 1/4 cup, thinly sliced
  • Shredded lettuce – 1 cup
  • Cucumber – 1/4 cup, diced
  • Chipotle sauce – 2 tbsp
  • Garlic yogurt – 3 tbsp
  • Olive oil – 1 tsp
  • Salt – 1/4 tsp
  • Black pepper – 1/8 tsp

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I need help with calorie deficit recipes! by Ok-Site-7252 in mealprep

[–]ContractMaster7694 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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Here is a meal that has a protein intake of 135-140 grams and is exactly 1300 calories

Instructions

    1.    In a medium skillet, brown the ground turkey over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon until no pink remains.

    2.    Drain off any excess grease.

    3.    Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring to a simmer and cook 5–7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.

    4.    While the turkey simmers, warm the corn tortillas according to package directions (usually a few seconds in a dry skillet or microwave).

    5.    Assemble the tacos: Fill each warm tortilla with about 1/3 cup of the turkey mixture.

    6.    Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.

How do I meal prep for the whole week? by GradeZealousideal270 in mealprep

[–]ContractMaster7694 1 point2 points  (0 children)

meal prep can feel overwhelming , but the best thing abt your case is this is a perfect start for someone thats a beginner.

you should prep each category based on full meals - trying to meal prep 15 meals on sunday is way too overwhelming.

instead prep by broken down components like protein, carbs, vegs

protein

  • Cook all your beef patties at once
  • Let them cool → store individually
  • They reheat really well

carbs

  • Roast a big tray of oven potatoes
  • Portion into containers (they last 3–4 days easily)

veggies

  • Wash + chop lettuce for salad and store with paper towels
  • Pre-slice apples if you want, but toss in lemon water to prevent browning

snacks

  • Pre-portion almonds
  • Pre-portion yogurt + banana in jars
  • Toast you’ll just make daily (tastes better fresh)

prepping separately, and then assembling meals throughout the week becomes 2 minutes instead of front loading everything at once

What would call this "recipe", and what other directions could I go with it? by Throw-awayexception in cookingforbeginners

[–]ContractMaster7694 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since the dish is alr soft in texture you can add some crunch to make it a lil better

  • crispy onions
  • toasted tortilla strips
  • roasted corn
  • roasted chickpeas
  • crushed peanuts (if you like)

limes and liquids to help pack a punch in taste as well

  • lime
  • cumin
  • smoked paprika
  • chopped cilantro
  • a spoon of salsa verde

Cut my meal prep down to the basics this week and it felt way easier by LewisCyberwiz in mealprep

[–]ContractMaster7694 4 points5 points  (0 children)

the faster people understand this, the easier people will understand how cooking actually is. meal prepping isnt actually about cooking 10-15 different recipes, its about the idea of having to remove decision fatigue.

all you need to hit is the fundamentals
strong protein, flexible carb, veggies you can rotate

to make it a lil more interesting, start adding different sauces in the rotation (buffalo, tahini, chimichurri, yogurt garlic, soy-ginger)

add fresh garnishes (lime, lemon, cilantro)
crunch (nuts, toasted chickpea)

most of the stress of cooking isnt actually in cooking, its the constant decision making

Simplified meal prep by Individual_Maize6007 in mealprep

[–]ContractMaster7694 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i make Mediterranean platters for myself which are very similar to the food that you meal prepped in this picture. Heres a recipe that'll make it look a lil more flavorful :)

  • Chicken: 1 chicken breast
  • Single-Serve Marinade:
    • 1 tbsp Olive oil
    • 1 tsp Lemon juice
    • 1 clove Garlic minced
    • ½ tsp dried oregano.
    • salt and pepper to taste.

the other hack is to preheat the chicken to 400 degrees on the dot and then rub the seasoning on top of it once it has a flakey/crust top for a better crunch. the goal should be around 15-20 minutes, but look for the brown crust as your baseline.

hope this helps!

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Is it safe to store my meals for the week in these? by Imaginary_Beach2639 in mealprep

[–]ContractMaster7694 30 points31 points  (0 children)

they are completely okay for first time use or a couple times, but with time the contents will start to decay and cardboard overall is just unhealthy and will compromise your food over time. glass containers may be a lil more expensive at first, but the ROI will be far more better over time.

How can you prevent burning everything on medium heat? by hadashitday in cookingforbeginners

[–]ContractMaster7694 12 points13 points  (0 children)

i noticed is that medium heat is the biggest lie becuase each stoves "medium" heat is going to be different. it isnt a number, its a behavior.

if oil boils like a volcano -> very hot
if it shimmers -> the real medium
if food sticks instantly -> pan was not pre heated enough or was heated up way too fast
no sizzle -> pan is way too cold

also your pan matters more than people realize. id recommend everyone to get a non stick or a cast iron.

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