Disclosed is a system and method for providing electronic meal information to a user. At least one database stores recipe information, recipe attribute information process information and time information for recipes. A web site linked to the Internet includes a prompt for a user to submit at least one characteristic of a meal and another prompt for available ingredient information. Recipe information is generated by a selection of at least some of the stored electronic recipe information that corresponds to the characteristic of the meal and the available ingredients. An electronic list of ingredients is generated that includes the difference between ingredients for the meal, and the at least one ingredient that the user has available for the meal.