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12/30/2012

Plan your meals a week at a time or pick and choose your favorites. Each meal comes with a handy shopping list. Bon Appetite!

Family SUNDAY

Treat the family like royalty and serve them MUSTARD-HERB-CRUSTED PORK LOIN ROAST. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place 1 cup panko crumbs, 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper on a large dinner plate. In a pie plate, combine 1 beaten egg yolk, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard and 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh chopped thyme leaves. Pat dry a 1 1/2-pound boneless pork top loin roast (trimmed) with paper towels. Spread pork with mustard mixture. Roll in panko crumb mixture, patting it on roast to coat evenly. Place on rack in shallow roasting pan. Roast, uncovered, 30 to 45 minutes, or until thermometer inserted near center reads 145 degrees. Loosely cover with foil. Let stand 5 minutes. Transfer to cutting board; slice into 1/2-inch slices and serve.

Serve the juicy pork with BAKED SWEET POTATOES, FRESH GREEN BEANS, a MIXED GREEN SALAD and BAGUETTES. Buy a BOSTON CREAM PIE for dessert.

PLAN AHEAD: Save enough pork and pie for Monday.

Heat and Eat MONDAY
Make PORK AND SWISS SANDWICHES with the leftover pork. Spread whole-grain bread with honey-mustard and layer with pork and Swiss cheese. Add BAKED CHIPS and an ARUGULA SALAD. Enjoy the leftover PIE for dessert.

Express TUESDAY
They're quick and tasty. That's why PIEROGIES WITH BROCCOLI (see recipe) will be on the menu tonight. Serve them with a packaged CAESAR SALAD and CRUSTY ROLLS. Fresh TROPICAL FRUITS are an easy dessert.
Check out the recipe for this day!

Budget WEDNESDAY
BALSAMIC MEATLOAF WITH BEANS AND GREENS (see recipe) is a tasty variation on the ubiquitous meatloaf. Add MIXED GREENS and WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. For a light dessert, try ORANGE SECTIONS.

PLAN AHEAD: Save enough meatloaf for Thursday.
Check out the recipe for this day!

Kids' THURSDAY
Tacos are always a hit with kids, and tonight's BEEF TACOS will be no different. Crumble and heat the leftover meatloaf. Spoon into taco shells and top with any SHREDDED CHEESE and reduced-fat SOUR CREAM. Toss sliced CARROTS with peach preserves and cook until tender. RED and GREEN GRAPES are dessert.

Meatless FRIDAY
RED BEANS AND RICE is a standard no-meat meal in some areas. Cook 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped celery and 1 clove minced garlic in 2 teaspoons olive oil 5 minutes, or until softened. Add 1 (16-ounce) can rinsed red beans, 2 cups cooked brown rice, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer 5 minutes, or until hot. Thin with vegetable broth or water, if desired. Add a LEAF LETTUCE SALAD with HARD-COOKED EGG WEDGES and BAGUETTES. For an easy dessert, try PEARS.

Entertaining SATURDAY
Invite guests for easy-to-prepare LEMON BASIL SHRIMP AND PASTA (see recipe). Alongside, add a BIBB LETTUCE SALAD and ITALIAN BREAD. For dessert, buy a CHEESECAKE and garnish it with CHERRY TOPPING.

Check out the recipe for this day!

Susan Nicholson is an Atlanta-based cookbook author and registered dietitian. E-mail Susan at menuplanner@mindspring.com.