Today I managed to keep the grocery bill under 50 RMB again! Dinner for a family of four is served, and everyone—husband and kids included—is happily eating.
Honestly, daily life doesn’t need fancy dishes every meal. A few simple home-cooked dishes with a balance of meat, vegetables, soup, and a little fruit afterward is enough. It’s economical, satisfying, and this is the kind of simple happiness ordinary families truly appreciate.
Here’s a week of daily dinners for a family of four, without repeating dishes, offering cooking inspiration:
Monday
- Stir-Fried Green Peppers with Eggs: Crisp green peppers with slightly spicy flavor, fluffy eggs soaking up the sauce, aromatic and appetizing.
- Beef and Pea Soup: Tender beef slices, flavorful pea broth, light but hearty, warming the stomach.
- Dry Pot Cauliflower: Slightly crispy cauliflower with rich garlic sauce, addictive crunch with every bite.
- Stuffed Wheat Gluten with Meat: Soft gluten filled with juicy meat, bursting with savory flavor.
Tuesday
- Salt and Pepper Ribs: Crispy exterior with juicy meat, flavorful seasoning, addictive and spicy.
- Amaranth Soup: Soft leaves absorbing soup, crunchy stems, light and refreshing.
- Cabbage Stir-Fried with Vermicelli: Tender cabbage with soft vermicelli, coated in savory sauce.
- Yu-Shiang Eggs: Fluffy eggs in a sweet-sour-spicy sauce, flavorful and satisfying.
Wednesday
- Pickled Vegetable Tofu: Tofu absorbs the tangy, slightly salty pickled vegetables, soft yet firm.
- Yu-Shiang Pork Strips: Tender pork with crisp vegetables, balanced sweet, sour, and spicy flavor.
- Stir-Fried Pumpkin Tops: Fresh greens with a hint of sweetness and garlic aroma.
- Mushroom and Pea Meat Soup: Juicy mushrooms and tender meat in a light, savory broth.
Thursday
- Spicy Stir-Fried Beef: Tender beef slices with spicy sauce and fresh scallions, irresistible.
- Chive and Egg Stir-Fry: Aromatic chives with fluffy eggs, perfect with steamed buns.
- Stir-Fried Cabbage: Soft, slightly crunchy cabbage with garlic flavor.
- Bok Choy Meatball Soup: Juicy meatballs with tender bok choy, warming and savory.
Friday
- Braised Vegetarian “Chicken”: Soft, sauce-infused soy protein, savory and satisfying.
- White Beech Mushroom with Sausage: Tender mushrooms and bouncy sausage in a light sauce.
- Spicy Pork Stir-Fry: Crispy chili peppers with tender, juicy pork slices.
- Seaweed and Shrimp Soup: Tender shrimp balls with fresh seaweed in a clear, warming broth.
Saturday
- Braised Pumpkin: Sweet and soft, melts in your mouth with subtle oil aroma.
- Stir-Fried Green Beans: Crunchy and flavorful, lightly garlicky.
- Tomato and Egg Stir-Fry: Soft eggs and tender tomato, sweet and tangy, perfect with rice.
- Yam, Pork Rib, and Corn Soup: Savory and hearty, sweet corn with tender yam and ribs.
Sunday
- Green Pepper with Tofu: Crisp peppers and chewy tofu with savory sauce.
- Stir-Fried Lotus Root Slices: Crunchy lotus root with light garlic aroma.
- Cucumber, Black Fungus, and Egg Stir-Fry: Crisp cucumber, tender eggs, slightly sweet and tangy.
- Vegetable Stem and Tender Pork Soup: Tender pork and crisp vegetable stems in a light, warming broth.
Closing Thoughts
The total cost for these dinners was only 48 RMB. Balanced meat and vegetables, flavorful soups, and sweet fruit. Seeing my family happily enjoying the meal makes all the effort worthwhile.
Living well isn’t about spending big—it’s about creating the taste of home with simple ingredients. That’s the true art of everyday cooking, and it’s priceless.
