What I Made for Dinner Cooking Recipes from Around the World

As we’re faced with another year of determining what's for dinner, we're sharing a glimpse at how BHG readers gather for a meal. Welcome to our new series, Dinner Diaries, where we're asking readers to anonymously share how they get dinner on the table including grocery shopping, budgeting, cooking, and their favorite family recipes. Here, a family of five enjoys tacos, spaghetti, bulgogi, and other dishes from around the world.

I do a large shopping on the weekend usually, and one or two small trips for last minute items or super fresh items.

$200-250.

Yes, the «OurGroceries» app is a lifesaver! Everyone in the household has access and can add items. (I'm wise to the teens who add ice cream and tons of treats. It's mom's discretion on what actually gets purchased.)

Trader Joe's, Albertson's (it's a two block walk from my house!), Winco, and Costco. In the summer we have a garden and we get fresh produce from a local CSA.

I generally cook dinner. If we're grilling then my husband will often do the actual grilling, but most of the prep falls to me.

Illustration: Corinne Mucha

Dried and canned beans, rice (several types), onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes, a variety of canned tomato products, pasta, sour cream, and lots of cheese. A myriad of spices and condiments are also always present.

I generally do the shopping and cooking, my husband will typically do the dishes after dinner. The kids have been making their own breakfasts and lunches since they were in 5th grade or so. They're both in high school now. I also enjoy baking, so I bake sourdough bread every week and usually at least one baked good (banana bread, or even baked oats) so the kids can use that for breakfast during the school week.

Illustration: Corinne