The idea for What Can We Cook Today? came from real conversations with other support workers - and real moments in the kitchen where we didn’t quite know what to cook. Too often, the solution was to pick a random recipe off the internet. But these recipes were rarely a good fit: they were sometimes unhealthy, often expensive, and usually called for ingredients or equipment that people didn’t already have and might never use again.
This cookbook is different.
It’s been created by and for support workers, especially those supporting people to build skills and confidence in the kitchen. It’s designed for real-world cooking - for cooking that fits different budgets, different kitchens, and different lives.
We’ve kept things simple and flexible. The first recipes need only the most basic utensils and pantry items. As you move through the book, you’ll see new tools introduced gradually, one recipe at a time. Each recipe also adds a new pantry item - like a herb or spice - so you’re not expected to buy everything up front. You’re building skills and building your kitchen at the same time.
You’ll find swap suggestions throughout - so that meals can be adapted based on what’s in the fridge, what’s affordable, and what suits different tastes or dietary needs. Recipes are written with clear steps and everyday ingredients. Many of them reflect meals from different cultures and cuisines, offering variety and connection through food.
There’s no need to be an experienced cook to use this book. Whether you’re supporting someone who’s never cooked before, or just want simple meals that work — this is for you. It’s a collection of healthy everyday options and a few sweet treats, made to share.
Cooking can be one of the most empowering, joyful, and connecting things we do. We hope this book makes it a little easier to get started — one step, one meal, one shared moment at a time.
