DinnerByDesign gives you three ways to find dinner: follow an existing published recipe, create a recipe around your ingredients, or choose a ready-made dinner to buy.
The distinction is simple. Published search finds something that already exists. Create a recipe builds something new from your request. Ready-made search helps you find a product from a supermarket or retailer.
The three options can use the same preferences, including dietary requirements, serving size, budget, cooking time and preferred style. The difference is what the search is trying to find.
Find a recipe
Published search is for finding a recipe that already exists. Search by ingredients, cooking style or preferences, or look for recipes associated with a chef, author or food personality you already enjoy.
For example, you might search for chickpeas, spinach and potatoes, or ask for a vegetarian recipe from Jamie Oliver, Delia Smith or another familiar name. DinnerByDesign uses that name as a search cue and links to a suitable published recipe. A result does not suggest that the chef or publisher endorses, sponsors or is connected with DinnerByDesign.
The recipe remains on the original publisher’s website. Follow the link there to read the complete method, check the exact quantities, review any notes and see the publisher’s photographs. This option suits you when the source matters as much as the ingredients.
Create a recipe
Create a recipe is for a different kind of request. Instead of looking for a recipe that already exists, DinnerByDesign builds a new recipe around the ingredients, cuisine, cooking method and preferences you provide.
For example: “I have chickpeas, spinach and potatoes. Create a recipe for me.” The result might be a chickpea, spinach and potato skillet, curry or traybake. You can also specify a short cooking time, a number of servings, dietary requirements or ingredients that need using soon.
This option is useful when the combination in your cupboard is unusual, when published search returns too few suitable results, or when you want an idea shaped around the evening you have in mind. The result should be treated as generated DinnerByDesign content. It is not a recipe attributed to an external publisher, chef or food writer.
As with any generated recipe, check the ingredients, quantities, allergens and cooking instructions before you begin. Personal circumstances, equipment and ingredient substitutions can affect the result.
Ready-made
The ready-made option is for evenings when you would rather buy something prepared than cook from ingredients. It helps you look for a suitable dinner product from a supermarket, retailer or manufacturer.
You can still set preferences such as dietary requirements, budget, cuisine, serving size and preparation time. Results may include chilled or frozen dinners, prepared dishes, dinner kits and other convenient options, depending on the search.
Each result should identify the product, retailer and source page. Use the retailer’s or manufacturer’s page to check current ingredients, allergen information, storage instructions, price and heating directions. Product details can change, so the current product information is the information to rely on before buying or preparing it.
This option may suit a busy evening, a household without the right equipment, or anyone who simply wants something ready to heat and serve.
The three options at a glance
| Option | What it finds | Where the information comes from | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find a recipe | An existing recipe | A publisher, chef, author or food personality | Following a source you recognise |
| Create a recipe | A new recipe built around your request | DinnerByDesign | Flexible ideas tailored to your ingredients |
| Ready-made | A product available to buy | A supermarket, retailer or manufacturer | Convenience without cooking from scratch |
Which option should you choose?
Choose published search when you want to follow a recipe from a chef, author or publisher you know. It is also the right option when you want to compare existing recipes for the ingredients you have.
Choose Create a recipe when the ingredients are specific, the combination is unusual, or you want the instructions shaped around your time, servings and preferences. The result is a starting point created for your request, rather than a page copied from somewhere else.
Choose ready-made when cooking is not practical or you would prefer to buy a prepared dinner. You can still control the search with your budget, dietary needs and preferred style, then check the current product details before buying.
DinnerByDesign brings these choices into one planning experience. Sometimes the useful answer is a recipe that already exists. Sometimes it is a new idea for the ingredients in the cupboard. On other evenings, the sensible choice is something ready to heat and serve.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three ways to find dinner with DinnerByDesign?
You can find an existing published recipe, create a recipe around your ingredients and preferences, or search for a ready-made dinner to buy. All three options can use preferences such as dietary requirements, servings, budget, cooking time and style.
Can I use preferences in published search?
Yes. Published search can use dietary requirements, serving size, budget, cooking time, cooking style and other available preferences. You can also search for recipes associated with a favourite chef, author or food personality.
Does a chef search mean that the chef recommends DinnerByDesign?
No. A chef or personality name is used as a search cue to find relevant published recipes. It does not imply endorsement, affiliation or approval.
Is a created recipe copied from a published recipe?
The Create a recipe option is intended to create new DinnerByDesign content from your request. It is separate from published search, which directs you to an existing recipe on its original source page.
Can I use the same ingredients in all three options?
Yes. Chickpeas, spinach and potatoes could be used to search for an existing recipe, request a new recipe, or look for a ready-made product that matches your preferences. The available results will depend on the search and current source information.
Which option is quickest?
Ready-made search may be quickest when you want to buy a dinner with little preparation. Published search can be useful when you want a known recipe. Create a recipe is most useful when the main need is flexibility rather than finding an existing source.