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+---
+title: Plan a Meal
+modified: 2026-03-17
+tags:
+  - how-to
+  - mealie
+---
+
+# Plan a Meal
+
+Generate a unified cooking timeline for a meal using [[mealie]]'s API. The timeline interleaves steps from multiple recipes so everything finishes at the same time.
+
+## When to Use
+
+The user says something like "Let's plan a meal" or references this card. Default to **dinner for today** unless the user specifies otherwise.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- Mealie running at `https://meals.ops.eblu.me`
+- API token in 1Password: `op://blumeops/mealie/credential`
+
+## Process
+
+### 1. Check the Meal Planner
+
+Query today's (or the requested date's) meal plan:
+
+```fish
+set MEALIE_TOKEN (op read "op://blumeops/mealie/credential")
+set DATE (date +%Y-%m-%d)  # or the requested date
+curl -sf "https://meals.ops.eblu.me/api/households/mealplans?start_date=$DATE&end_date=$DATE" \
+  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MEALIE_TOKEN"
+```
+
+**If the plan has recipes:** the user wants a cooking timeline for those dishes. Skip to step 3.
+
+**If the plan is empty (or user asked for a new meal):** pick recipes in step 2.
+
+### 2. Pick a Balanced Meal
+
+Select one recipe from each tag category to build a balanced dinner:
+
+- **protein** — a main dish (chicken, tofu, meatloaf, etc.)
+- **carb** — a starch side (potatoes, noodles, bread, rice)
+- **vegetable** — a veggie side (salad, roasted veg, brussels sprouts)
+
+Query by tag:
+
+```fish
+# Get a random protein
+curl -sf "https://meals.ops.eblu.me/api/recipes?tags=protein&orderBy=random&perPage=1" \
+  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MEALIE_TOKEN"
+
+# Get a random carb
+curl -sf "https://meals.ops.eblu.me/api/recipes?tags=carb&orderBy=random&perPage=1" \
+  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MEALIE_TOKEN"
+
+# Get a random vegetable
+curl -sf "https://meals.ops.eblu.me/api/recipes?tags=vegetable&orderBy=random&perPage=1" \
+  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MEALIE_TOKEN"
+```
+
+Many recipes are multi-tagged (e.g., "Spicy Chicken Meal Prep with Rice and Beans" has `protein`, `carb`, and `beans`). If the protein pick already covers carb or vegetable, skip that category or offer a lighter side instead. The protein+carb+vegetable split is a rule of thumb for balance, not a rigid requirement — a one-pot meal with all three doesn't need two more sides.
+
+Present the picks to the user and let them swap any out. Once confirmed, optionally add to the meal plan via the API.
+
+### 3. Fetch Full Recipe Data
+
+For each recipe in the meal, fetch the full details (ingredients + instructions + timing):
+
+```fish
+curl -sf "https://meals.ops.eblu.me/api/recipes/$SLUG" \
+  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MEALIE_TOKEN"
+```
+
+Key fields: `recipeIngredient` (structured ingredients), `recipeInstructions` (ordered steps), `prepTime`, `totalTime`, `performTime`.
+
+### 4. Generate the Cooking Timeline
+
+Using the full recipe data, create a unified timeline that interleaves steps from all dishes. The timeline should use **relative time**:
+
+- **T-X** — mise en place, gathering ingredients, prep that happens before active cooking
+- **T=0** — the first active cooking step (usually preheating or starting the longest-cook item)
+- **T+X** — cooking steps, with concurrent tasks noted
+
+**Guidelines for the timeline:**
+
+- Start with the dish that takes longest (usually the protein)
+- Identify natural wait times (oven time, boiling, simmering) and fill them with prep/cooking of other dishes
+- Call out the "busy moments" where multiple things need attention
+- End with a **mise en place checklist** — everything to gather before T=0
+- Use minutes, not clock times (the user decides when to start)
+
+**Example format:**
+
+```
+## Dinner Timeline: Turkey Meatloaf + Mashed Potatoes + Roasted Broccoli
+
+### Mise en Place (gather before you start)
+- Ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, ketchup, ...
+- Russet potatoes, butter, milk, ...
+- Broccoli, olive oil, ...
+
+### Timeline
+| Time | Action |
+|------|--------|
+| T-10 | Preheat oven to 350°F |
+| T-5  | Meatloaf: sauté onion, mix ingredients |
+| T=0  | Meatloaf goes in the oven (55 min) |
+| T=0  | Potatoes: peel, dice, rinse, start boiling |
+| T+15 | Potatoes: should be boiling, cook 6-7 min |
+| T+22 | Potatoes: drain, mash with butter/milk. Cover and set aside |
+| T+25 | Broccoli: prep florets, toss with oil on sheet pan |
+| T+55 | Meatloaf out. Rest 5 min. Crank oven to 400°F |
+| T+55 | Broccoli goes in (15 min at 400°F) |
+| T+60 | Slice meatloaf |
+| T+70 | Broccoli out. Plate everything. Dinner is served. |
+
+### Busy moments
+- Around T+20-25: draining potatoes, mashing, and prepping broccoli overlap
+```
+
+## Notes
+
+- The user's wife currently handles breakfast and lunch, so default to dinner unless asked otherwise
+- Recipes are tagged with `protein`, `carb`, `vegetable`, and `beans` for meal composition
+- Recipes are categorized as `Dinner` or `Side` for the built-in Mealie meal planner
+- Mealie API docs are at `https://meals.ops.eblu.me/docs`
+- Meal plan rules are configured so the random button in Mealie's UI picks from the correct categories
+
+## Related
+
+- [[mealie]] — Recipe manager service reference
+- [[ollama]] — LLM backend (future: automated timeline generation)
diff --git a/docs/reference/services/mealie.md b/docs/reference/services/mealie.md
index f309a5e..c658046 100644
--- a/docs/reference/services/mealie.md
+++ b/docs/reference/services/mealie.md
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ SQLite database backed up via [[borgmatic]]'s `before_backup` hook. Borgmatic ru
 
 ## Related
 
+- [[plan-a-meal]] — Generate unified cooking timelines from meal plans
 - [[authentik]] — OIDC identity provider
 - [[ollama]] — LLM backend for meal timeline generation
 - [[borgmatic]] — Data backup