Sunday: Family

Gather the family for SAVORY BEEF ROAST. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Combine 3 cloves crushed garlic and 3/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper and press evenly onto the surface of a 3- to 4-pound round tip roast (or sirloin tip roast). Place on rack in shallow roasting pan. Roast uncovered 2 to 2 1/2 hours for medium-rare (140 degrees) or 2 1/2 to 3 hours for medium (155 degrees). Remove from oven, transfer to a carving board, tent with foil and let stand 10 to 15 minutes.

Make GRAVY by stirring 1 (12-ounce) jar brown beef gravy, 1/4 cup water and 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce into pan drippings; cook on medium-low 3 to 5 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Carve roast into thin slices and serve it with gravy.

Accompany the roast with BROWN RICE and GREEN BEANS. Add DINNER ROLLS. For dessert, buy a CARROT CAKE.

Plan

Save enough beef for Monday and enough cake for Tuesday.

Shopping List

garlic, black pepper, round tip roast (or sirloin tip roast), jar brown beef gravy, Worcestershire sauce, brown rice, green beans, dinner rolls, carrot cake.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Use the beef leftovers for hefty ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICHES. Place 4 split hoagie buns on cookie sheet and brush lightly with Italian salad dressing. Broil 1 to 2 minutes. Combine 3 tablespoons of the salad dressing with 8 ounces thinly sliced cooked (leftover) beef; coat. Heat 2 minutes in microwave or until hot. Divide meat mixture among bottoms of buns. Add roasted red pepper strips, sliced artichoke hearts (water-packed) and sliced part-skim mozzarella cheese. Broil 2 or 3 minutes or until cheese is melted; add tops and cut sandwiches in half.

Serve with a MIXED GREENS SALAD. FRESH FIGS are dessert.

Shopping List

hoagie buns, Italian salad dressing, roasted red peppers, water-packed artichoke hearts, sliced part-skim mozzarella cheese, salad greens, fresh figs.

Tuesday: Meatless

Skip meat for flavor and enjoy fiber-packed MOROCCAN VEGETABLE STEW WITH COUSCOUS. Serve SLICED CUCUMBERS in plain yogurt alongside and add FLATBREAD. Leftover CAKE is waiting for dessert.

Shopping List

canola oil, fresh zucchini squash, onion, fresh carrot, garlic, vegetable broth, ground ginger, cumin, coriander, coarse salt, cinnamon, black pepper, canned reduced-sodium chickpeas, canned no-salt-added stewed tomatoes, couscous, cucumbers, plain yogurt, flatbread.

Wednesday: Express

Make it quick tonight with CHILI-CHEESE PIEROGIES. In a 9-by-9-inch baking dish, combine 1 (16.9-ounce) package (any flavor) frozen pierogies and 1/2 cup water. Cover and microwave on high (100 percent power) 5 minutes; drain. Spoon 1 (15-ounce) can turkey chili over pierogies; cover and microwave on high 5 minutes or until hot; sprinkle with 50 percent reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese and let stand, covered, 3 minutes. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and serve.

Add a packaged GREEN SALAD and CRUSTY BREAD. You'll want PEACHES for dessert.

Plan

To save time, assemble Thursday's Baked Spaghetti tonight.

Shopping List

frozen pierogies, canned turkey chili, 50 percent reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, packaged green salad, crusty bread, peaches.

Thursday: Kids

BAKED SPAGHETTI'S mild flavor is totally kid-friendly. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cook 8 ounces spaghetti according to directions; drain. Coat with 1 tablespoon butter.

Meanwhile, coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange cooked spaghetti in an even layer in dish. Spread 1 (24-ounce) carton fat-free cottage cheese over spaghetti. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Heat 3 cups (any) red pasta sauce with meat until bubbly. Spoon sauce over cheese. Top with 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup more parmesan cheese. Cover with nonstick foil. Bake 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake 15 more minutes or until cheese is lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Add a chopped LETTUCE SALAD and BREAD STICKS. For dessert, what kid would miss an OATMEAL COOKIE?

Tip

BAKED SPAGHETTI'S mild flavor is totally kid-friendly. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cook 8 ounces spaghetti according to directions; drain. Coat with 1 tablespoon butter.

Meanwhile, coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange cooked spaghetti in an even layer in dish. Spread 1 (24-ounce) carton fat-free cottage cheese over spaghetti. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Heat 3 cups (any) red pasta sauce with meat until bubbly. Spoon sauce over cheese. Top with 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup more parmesan cheese. Cover with nonstick foil. Bake 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake 15 more minutes or until cheese is lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Add a chopped LETTUCE SALAD and BREAD STICKS. For dessert, what kid would miss an OATMEAL COOKIE?

Shopping List

spaghetti, butter, cooking spray, fat-free cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, jar any red pasta sauce with meat, shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, lettuce, bread sticks, oatmeal cookies.

Friday: Budget

Save some pennies with TUNA OLIVE SALAD. Add BEAN SOUP and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Top STRAWBERRIES with light whipped cream for dessert,

Shopping List

canned tuna in water, kalamata olives, lemon, flatleaf parsley, extra-virgin olive oil, coarse salt, pepper, salad greens, bean soup, whole-grain rolls, strawberries, light whipped cream.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Everyone enjoyed this easy FLOUNDER WITH PESTO. Serve with ORZO tossed with parmesan. Add BABY PEAS WITH BACON. Cook 4 cups frozen petite peas according to directions. Cook 2 slices bacon in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high until crisp; remove from pan and drain on paper towels; set aside. Reserve drippings in skillet; add 2 tablespoons minced onion and 1/4 cup chopped pecans; cook on medium-high 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until onion is tender and pecans are lightly browned. Remove from skillet. In same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter on medium-high. Add peas, chopped bacon, onion, pecans, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt and dash of pepper; toss. Heat until hot.

Add a BOSTON LETTUCE SALAD and SOURDOUGH BREAD. Dessert is easy when you buy a KEY LIME PIE for dessert.

Shopping List

flounder fillets, pesto, coarse salt, dry white wine, plum tomatoes, fresh parsley, orzo, parmesan, frozen petite peas, bacon, onion, pecans, butter, pepper, Boston lettuce, sourdough bread, Key lime pie.

Sunday: Family

Serve the family HONEY-ORANGE GLAZED HAM today. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place a 2- to 3-pound fully cooked boneless ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast, uncovered, 30 minutes or until it registers 140 degrees with a meat thermometer.

Meanwhile, mix together 1 tablespoon orange juice, 1/4 cup honey, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves. Baste ham with mixture the last 10 minutes of roasting. Let stand for 5 minutes; slice and serve.

To accompany the family favorite, make your own SCALLOPED POTATOES and steam FRESH BROCCOLI. Enjoy APPLE COBBLER for dessert and top it with fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save enough ham and cobbler for Monday. Save enough ice cream for Tuesday.

Shopping List

fully cooked boneless ham, orange juice, honey, cinnamon, ground cloves, scalloped potatoes, fresh broccoli, apple cobbler, fat-free vanilla ice cream.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Make GEORGIA-STYLE GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICHES for an easy meal. Mix 2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise with 3 tablespoons peach preserves. Spread mixture evenly on one side of 8 rye bread slices. Place 1 slice each leftover ham on 4 slices bread; sprinkle each ham slice with 2 tablespoons shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Top with remaining bread slices; coat with cooking spray. Cook sandwiches in a large nonstick skillet on medium-low heat until cheese melts and bread is lightly browned. Serve sandwiches with a ROMAINE SALAD. Warm the leftover APPLE COBBLER for dessert.

Shopping List

low-fat mayonnaise, peach preserves, rye bread, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, cooking spray, romaine.

Tuesday: Express

You can prepare TOMATO SOUP WITH SPINACH AND CORN in no time. Prepare 2 (10 3/4-ounce) cans condensed tomato soup according to directions, using skim milk. Add 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach (thawed) and 1 cup frozen corn (thawed). Heat through. Serve with a LETTUCE WEDGE and CHEESE TOAST. Top the leftover ICE CREAM with CHOCOLATE SYRUP.

Plan

Save enough chocolate syrup for Thursday.

Shopping List

canned condensed tomato soup, skim milk, frozen chopped spinach, frozen corn, lettuce, any bread and any cheese for cheese toast, chocolate syrup.

Wednesday: Meatless

This BAKED EGGPLANT AND POLENTA was a hit and went into our permanent collection of recipes. Serve with STEAMED SPINACH and a ROMAINE SALAD WITH RED ONION RINGS. Add WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. For dessert, PLUMS are perfect.

Shopping List

eggplant, cooking spray, jar marinara sauce, part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, refrigerated ready-to-eat polenta, fresh spinach, romaine, red onion, whole-grain bread, plums.

Thursday: Budget

There's nothing like a good meatloaf to perk up your purse, and BARBECUE MEATLOAF fills the bill. Serve with OVEN FRIES (frozen) and GREEN BEANS. Make CORNBREAD (from a mix). For dessert, enjoy CHOCOLATE SWIRL PUDDING. Prepare instant vanilla pudding using 1 percent milk and swirl leftover chocolate syrup into the pudding. Top with fat-free whipped cream.

Plan

Save enough meatloaf for Friday.

Shopping List

onion, ground turkey breast, lean ground beef, dry bread crumbs, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic, dried thyme, frozen oven fries, green beans, cornbread mix, instant vanilla pudding, 1 percent milk, fat-free whipped cream.

Friday: Kids

Show the kids how you can use magic to redesign the leftover meatloaf into BARBECUE ROLL-UPS. Crumble the heated leftover meatloaf and spoon into warmed whole-grain tortillas; top with shredded lettuce and any shredded cheese. Serve with CELERY STICKS and vegetarian BAKED BEANS.

LEAPIN' LIZARD CRUNCH BARS are what dessert is all about to a kid -- green, but not a vegetable! Coat an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Combine 1 (12-ounce) package miniature marshmallows and 1/2 cup reduced-fat peanut butter in a saucepan. Cook on low 10 minutes or until marshmallows melt, stirring constantly. Add 6 drops green food coloring (add more if you want it to look really gross); mix well. Add 6 cups crisp rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies); mix well. Remove from heat and spoon mixture into prepared dish; spread evenly and press down with back of spoon. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Cut into 8 long, thin strips, then in half. Remove strips from pan. Press 2 chocolate chips into end of each strip to make eyes. Be brave and eat a lizard.

Shopping List

whole-grain tortillas, lettuce, any shredded cheese, celery, vegetarian baked beans, cooking spray, miniature marshmallows, reduced-fat peanut butter, green food coloring, crisp rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies), chocolate chips.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Any guest would enjoy CHICKEN WITH 40 CLOVES OF GARLIC. Serve with MASHED POTATOES, frozen petite GREEN PEAS, a BIBB LETTUCE SALAD and SOURDOUGH BREAD. Make or buy CHEESECAKE for dessert.

Shopping List

onions, celery, dried tarragon, parsley, skinless, bone-in chicken thighs, skinless chicken legs, olive oil, coarse salt, black pepper, dry vermouth (or dry sherry or dry white wine), garlic, potatoes to mash, frozen petite green peas, bibb lettuce, sourdough bread, homemade or store-bought cheesecake.

Sunday: Family

Tickle the family taste buds with CREOLE EYE OF ROUND ROAST. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Shake 3 tablespoons flour in a large (14-by-20-inch) oven bag (such as Reynolds); place bag in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. To bag, add 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced no-salt-added tomatoes with onions and garlic or stewed tomatoes and 3 teaspoons Creole or Cajun seasoning. Squeeze bag to blend in flour. To bag, add 2- to 2 1/2-pound eye of round beef, 2 ribs celery (cut into 1/2-inch slices) and 1 medium red bell pepper (cut into strips). Turn bag to coat beef with sauce. Arrange ingredients in an even layer in bag. Close bag with nylon tie; cut 6 (1/2-inch) slits in top.

Bake 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until meat thermometer reads 145 degrees. Thinly slice beef. Stir sauce; serve with beef. (Note: Don't overcook; eye of round beef is very lean and will toughen in a heartbeat.)

Serve the savory beef dish with RICE and a ROMAINE SALAD. Add WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For dessert, top ANGEL FOOD CAKE SLICES with fat-free STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save enough beef and cake for Monday; save enough ice cream for Tuesday.

Shopping List

flour, canned diced no-salt-added tomatoes with onions and garlic or stewed tomatoes, Creole or Cajun seasoning, eye of round beef, celery, red bell pepper, rice, romaine, whole-grain rolls, angel food cake, fat-free strawberry ice cream.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Bring on the 10-MINUTE CHILI for dinner. In a large pot, combine 2 cups shredded cooked (leftover) beef, 2 (15-ounce) cans rinsed reduced-sodium pinto beans, 2 cups picante sauce or thick and chunky salsa and 2 teaspoons chili powder. Cook over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until hot. Stir occasionally. Garnish with sliced green onions and reduced-fat sour cream.

Serve with deli COLESLAW and CORNBREAD (from a mix). Finish with leftover CAKE and BLUEBERRIES, topped with light whipped cream.

Tip

Bring on the 10-MINUTE CHILI for dinner. In a large pot, combine 2 cups shredded cooked (leftover) beef, 2 (15-ounce) cans rinsed reduced-sodium pinto beans, 2 cups picante sauce or thick and chunky salsa and 2 teaspoons chili powder. Cook over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until hot. Stir occasionally. Garnish with sliced green onions and reduced-fat sour cream.

Serve with deli COLESLAW and CORNBREAD (from a mix). Finish with leftover CAKE and BLUEBERRIES, topped with light whipped cream.

Plan

Buy enough coleslaw for Wednesday.

Shopping List

canned reduced-sodium pinto beans, picante sauce or thick and chunky salsa, chili powder, green onions, reduced-fat sour cream, deli coleslaw, cornbread mix, blueberries, light whipped cream.

Tuesday: Budget

Put TURKEY BURGERS on the low-cost menu for tonight. Mix 12 ounces ground turkey with half packet onion soup mix and form into patties. Grill or pan-fry and serve the burgers on toasted whole-grain buns. Top burgers with LETTUCE, TOMATOES, LOW-FAT MAYONNAISE and MUSTARD. Serve with O'BRIEN POTATOES (frozen). Scoop the leftover ICE CREAM for dessert.

Shopping List

ground turkey, packet onion soup mix, whole-grain buns, lettuce, tomatoes, low-fat mayonnaise, mustard, frozen O'Brien potatoes.

Wednesday: Express

What could be easier than buying a HAM STEAK and pan-frying it for a quick meal? Serve it with BAKED SWEET POTATOES sprinkled with cinnamon. Add leftover COLESLAW and MULTIGRAIN ROLLS. Serve fresh PINEAPPLE CHUNKS with toasted shredded coconut for dessert.

Shopping List

ham steak, sweet potatoes to bake, cinnamon, multigrain rolls, fresh pineapple chunks, shredded coconut.

Thursday: Kids

My mother and I had fun one Halloween dressing up in 100-year-old clothes from the attic for our costumes, and eating DIPPY CHICKEN before our Halloween parade. Now this dish can be enjoyed by everyone again. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Coat chicken tenders with cooking spray, then cornflake crumbs. Bake 15 minutes, turning once. Make a dipping sauce from 2 parts apricot jam to 1 part mustard.

Serve with OVEN FRIES (frozen) and CELERY STICKS. Add SOFT ROLLS. Don't be scared of GINGERBREAD SKELETONS for dessert.

Plan

Save enough "skeletons" for Friday.

Shopping List

chicken tenders, cooking spray, cornflake crumbs, apricot jam, mustard, frozen oven fries, celery, soft rolls, brown sugar, butter or buttery spread, molasses, egg, flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, coarse salt, ground cloves, vanilla frosting.

Friday: Meatless

Forget meat tonight and make TORTELLINI SOUP. Serve the hearty soup with GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES and a MIXED GREEN SALAD. Munch on leftover GINGERBREAD SKELETONS for dessert.

Shopping List

vegetable broth, refrigerated spinach tortellini, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes with garlic and onion, green onions, garlic, dried basil, parmesan cheese, dense white bread and any cheese for sandwiches, salad greens.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Invite friends for your own GRILLED TUNA. Serve it with BALSAMIC SAUCE. Combine 1/4 cup fat-free chicken broth, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 4 teaspoons dark brown sugar, 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce and 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch in a small pan. Bring to boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Spoon over tuna and top with sliced green onions.

Serve with COUSCOUS, GINGER-SESAME VEGETABLE BLEND and BAGUETTES. For dessert, buy LEMON BISCOTTI from the bakery.

Shopping List

tuna to grill, fat-free chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, dark brown sugar, low-sodium soy sauce, cornstarch, green onions, couscous, fresh broccoli florets, fresh snow peas, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, toasted (dark) sesame oil or canola oil, fresh ginger, crushed red pepper, baguettes, store-bought lemon biscotti.