I can follow instructions. Or, at least, I can look at the box on something to see what temperature I'm supposed to set the oven at, then throw the box in the recycling bin, then put the food in the oven, then pull the box out of the recycling bin to see how much time I'm supposed to set the timer for. @_@
I can't do anything beyond that, nor do I really want to. I wouldn't describe cooking as fun and, honestly, anything more complex than following instructions on the side of a box would probably just be mentally exhausting. That late afternoon/early evening time of the day that dinnertime rolls right into is usually my low point in the day. I'm usually between doses on my meds, probably haven't eaten anything in a while, I'm tired from everything else I've done during the day, and my mental stamina is at an all-time low. I can't tell you how many times I've had to check the box instructions three times in a row to know something as simple as what temperature to set the oven to because I just keep zoning out and forgetting in between looking at the box and reaching for the dial on the oven. @_@
Granted, it isn't always that bad. Some days I really have no issues putting in a simple box dinner! But, I still don't have much desire to spend extra time and energy doing anything fancier than that. ...And then, yeah, there are nights when I'm just not having it and I really just want to make something simple as quickly as possible.