Meal plan

A weekly meal plan answers "what's for dinner?" once, on a calm afternoon, instead of every evening at six. A good one fits the week as lived: quick meals on busy nights, a bigger cook when there is time, ingredients that carry across meals so half a bunch of cilantro does not rot, and planned leftovers.

The shopping list is half the value: grouped by store section, it is one pass through the shop. Prep-ahead steps move work to when there is time for it. This skill respects stated diets, allergies, and dislikes, and makes no nutrition or health claims.

When to use it

• Planning the coming week's dinners (or all meals).
• Building a grocery list from a plan or a set of recipes.
• Using up what is in the fridge, freezer, or pantry.
• Planning a Sunday meal prep session.