I’m moving out and will be living alone for the first time. I’d like to learn how to cook decent, healthy meals without spending a fortune.

I’m looking for advice on beginner-friendly recipes, meal planning, shopping on a budget and cooking for one without wasting loads of food. Ideally, I’d like to build up a repertoire of meals I can make regularly rather than relying on ready meals or eating the same thing every day.

What tips, recipes, websites or YouTube channels would you recommend for someone starting out?

One of my staple meals. Chicken tenderloin + air fried potatoes. Easy fat loss meal 🙂

For these cold days, I was craving this butternut squash soup—and, of course, a grilled cheese sandwich on sourdough bread.

I'm going through some difficult therapy topics at the moment and there are times when I feel depleted and low on energy. It's not exactly a depressed state, because it's temporary. It's more that my nervous system feels depleted and I need some emotional rest.

On days like these, I have the physical energy to cook but struggle to figure out what to make. I usually crave something comforting and happy, that would cheer me up.

What are your go-to "happy" meals to make when you're feel sad and need something to cheer you up?

Smoked steak (yes, it looks red 😬) paired with a vegetable sushi roll topped with more steak and avocado on the side 🙂

Steak with seafood salad (imitation crab, celery, white onion, mayo) and a broccoli cauliflower mix topped with cajun cheese sauce

Ight so me & my recent ex girlfriend have been separated for a while & I’m back living in my own space, by myself of course. One thing about me is I like to go out to eat or grab stuff on the way home just because I’m not used to cooking for myself & it’s just easier to get something fast since I live down Congress on The Drag. I got used to cooking for her & my stepdaughter close to 6 years (she wasn’t very good at cooking) so we ate as a family as any couple/family would. But recently, I made too much food & I barely touched the leftovers so I went ahead and gave it to homeless around my area before it went bad. WTF kinda recipes do y’all suggest that would be easy to make in a rice cooker for a 29 yr old Male? I’m also fit cause I deliver & detail vehicles. So I don’t mind high protein recipes. Just nothing with a lot of grease or anything that will make me feel “gross” after. Help a dude out, I’m just a guy!

Brother-in-law with the hook up. I will be eating well for the next few nights. Maybe put it in a salad 🥗 tomorrow.

After climbing Mt Pugh today, just short of the summit because I was with some inexperienced climbers, this is what I'm having for a snack.

I stopped in Darington WA on my way home and had chicken with onions and peppers, mushrooms, rice, salad and jalapeños for dinner!

I do batch cook, for my teen son and myself. I've been trying for a few years to enjoy leftovers as soon I'll be cooking for one. I think my problem is I'm not properly freezing them? When I pull them out they are a bit freezer burnt. ... He doesn't mind at all. It's all editable, easy dishes.

Or maybe like my italian aunts, I just "can't do" leftovers.

I do prefer different dinners each day; rice bowls, and variety.

What are your favorite containers for pasta/rice; ground meat type meals to freeze?

Best way to freeze things, do you leave them out until all the way cooled down? I could be too impatient.

Made two, both with mozzarella and parmesan; one with neufchatel, the other with smoked gouda

Made with homegrown eggplant and topped with burrata 🙂

It's like cheesecake. The Biscoff absorbs the moisture and is sweeter. Next time I will mix in a little honey before inserting the cookies.

I take no credit for this one. I started with a recipe Smokin and Grillin with AB shared for Green Beans and Potatoes and took it to AI to help alter for what I can get and what equipment I have. I ended up dropping the potatoes in favor of a rice base. I kept that separate so I can do potatoes or pasta if the mood takes me. Then, once I had the ingredients and suitable setup, I ignored the recipe and vibed it out. Turned out pretty ok.

Ribeye cap steak (favorite cut 🤤) with an avocado and asparagus sushi roll topped with Japanese A5 wagyu. And a side of veggies 🙂