health

7 Day Menu Planner for November 24, 2013

7 Day Menu Planner  by by Susan Nicholson
by Susan Nicholson
7 Day Menu Planner | November 24th, 2013

Sunday: Family

Make a family favorite, SWISS STEAK, for today's gathering. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Cut 2 pounds (1/2-inch thick) boneless beef round steak (visible fat removed) into 8 serving-size pieces. Place in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Top with 1 medium thinly sliced onion, 8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms and 1 (8-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce. Cover and bake 1 3/4 to 2 hours or until steak is tender.

Serve with your own MASHED POTATOES, GREEN BEANS and MIXED GREENS. For dessert, this CINNAMON APPLE TART is hard to resist.

Plan

Save enough steak and sauce for Monday; save enough tart for Wednesday.

Shopping List

boneless beef round steak, cooking spray, pepper, onion, sliced fresh mushrooms, canned no-salt-added tomato sauce, potatoes to mash, green beans, salad greens, refrigerated pie crust, packaged frozen cinnamon apples, lemon, cinnamon, egg, sugar.


Monday: Kids

It's HOAGIE SANDWICHES for the kids tonight. Chop and heat leftover steak and sauce and spoon onto sliced, toasted hoagies (or any sandwich rolls). Serve with CURLY FRIES (frozen). Add deli CARROT SALAD on the side. Make dessert simple with fat-free STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Saturday.

Shopping List

hoagies or other rolls, frozen curly fries, deli carrot salad, fat-free strawberry ice cream.


Tuesday: Meatless

How about a no-meat PIZZA WITH PEPPERS tonight? Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place 1 (12-inch) ready-to-heat whole-grain pizza crust on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with 1 cup (2 cups total) shredded reduced-fat cheese blend, half of (1-pound) bag frozen (thawed and drained) pepper stir-fry mix (green, red, yellow peppers and onions) and the other 1 cup cheese. Bake 15 minutes or until crust is crisp and cheese is melted and bubbly. Slice and serve with a SPINACH SALAD. How about PEACHES for an easy dessert?

Plan

If time permits, assemble Wednesday's meatloaf tonight.

Shopping List

ready-to-heat whole-grain pizza crust, shredded reduced-fat cheese blend, frozen pepper stir-fry mix (green, red, yellow peppers and onions), fresh spinach, peaches.


Wednesday: Budget

Easy, unique and affordable, CHICKEN PARMIGIANA-STYLE MEATLOAF has lots of flavor. Serve with BAKED POTATOES, BROCCOLI and a MIXED GREEN SALAD. Add WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For dessert, warm the leftover TART.

Plan

Save enough meatloaf for Thursday.

Shopping List

ground chicken or turkey breast, onion, eggs, dry bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, no-salt-added marinara sauce, shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, potatoes to bake, broccoli, salad greens, whole-grain rolls.


Thursday: Heat and Eat

Make MEATLOAF SANDWICHES on dense white bread for a quick meal. Top with LETTUCE. Alongside, add deli COLESLAW. For dessert, enjoy PINEAPPLE CHUNKS.

Plan

Buy enough coleslaw for Friday.

Shopping List

dense white bread, lettuce, deli coleslaw, pineapple chunks.


Friday: Express

You could go to a fast-food place, but make your own FISH 'N' CHIPS for a quick meal instead. Prepare frozen fish fillets and frozen potato wedges according to package directions. Place fish into heated taco shells and spoon leftover coleslaw over fish. Now, cool down with ORANGE SHERBET for dessert.

Shopping List

frozen fish fillets, frozen potato wedges, taco shells, orange sherbet.


Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Our guests enjoyed CHICKEN WITH HERBS AND VEGETABLES and so will yours. Serve with RICE to catch all the juices from the chicken. Add steamed sliced ZUCCHINI, a GREEN SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Buy a CHOCOLATE CAKE for dessert and serve it with leftover ICE CREAM.

Shopping List

Italian-style bread crumbs with cheese, boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, packaged crimini mushrooms, green bell pepper, tomatoes, garlic, coarse salt, fresh basil, dried oregano, rice, zucchini, salad greens, whole-grain rolls, chocolate cake.

health

7 Day Menu Planner for November 17, 2013

7 Day Menu Planner  by by Susan Nicholson
by Susan Nicholson
7 Day Menu Planner | November 17th, 2013

Sunday: Family

Surprise the family with PORK CHOPS WITH CORN SALSA. Heat 1 teaspoon canola oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium. Sprinkle 4 center-cut pork chops (3/4-inch thick, visible fat removed) with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Add chops and cook, turning once, 6 to 8 minutes or until meat near bone is barely pink or internal temperature is 145 degrees. Remove to platter; tent with foil to keep warm. To skillet, add 1 (11-ounce) can Mexicorn with liquid and 1 cup green or red salsa. Cook 2 or 3 minutes on medium or until hot. Spoon over chops; sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

Serve the colorful dish with rinsed reduced-sodium BLACK BEANS. Alongside, add a SLICED AVOCADO AND GRAPEFRUIT SALAD and CORN MUFFINS (from a mix). BAKED CUSTARD (from a mix) is a smooth dessert.

Shopping List

canola oil, center-cut pork chops, coarse salt, canned Mexicorn, green or red salsa, fresh cilantro, canned reduced-sodium black beans, avocado, grapefruit, lettuce (for salad), corn muffin mix, baked custard mix.


Monday: Kids

The kids can help prepare CHILI DOGS tonight. Heat canned turkey chili with beans and reduced-fat, reduced-sodium hot dogs (such as Applegate) in separate pans or use the microwave. Put hot dogs in toasted whole-grain buns and top with chili. Sprinkle a little shredded cheese on the top. On the side, munch on CARROT AND CELERY STICKS and DIP. Fresh TROPICAL FRUIT finishes the meal.

Shopping List

canned turkey chili with beans, reduced-fat and reduced-sodium hot dogs (such as Applegate), whole-grain hot dog buns, carrot and celery sticks, any dip, fresh tropical fruit.


Tuesday: Meatless

Make MONTE CRISTO SANDWICHES for a different cheese sandwich. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, beat 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites, 1/2 cup 1 percent milk and 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce. Put 2 slices Swiss cheese on each of 4 slices of dense white bread. Divide and spread 1 1/2 teaspoons (total) Dijon mustard on 4 more slices bread. Place mustard-side down on cheese. Dip both sides of sandwiches in egg mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake 15 to 18 minutes, turning once, until cheese melts and both sides are browned.

Serve with a LETTUCE AND TOMATO SALAD. PINEAPPLE SHERBET is good for dessert.

Plan

Save enough sherbet for Wednesday.

Shopping List

cooking spray, eggs, 1 percent milk, hot pepper sauce, Swiss cheese, dense white bread, Dijon mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pineapple sherbet.


Wednesday: Budget

Everyone can have steak on budget night -- SALISBURY STEAK, that is. Serve with MASHED POTATOES and flavor them with dill if desired. Add frozen petite GREEN PEAS and WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. Leftover SHERBET is dessert.

Shopping List

lean ground beef, onion, saltine cracker crumbs, egg, 1 percent milk, prepared horseradish, coarse salt, pepper, jarred mushroom gravy, potatoes to mash, dill if desired, frozen petite green peas, whole-grain bread.


Thursday: Family/Thanksgiving

Make your own ROAST TURKEY with all the family favorites of DRESSING, GRAVY, SWEET POTATOES and something new for the feast, BROCCOLI CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE.

If you want something besides CRANBERRY SAUCE, try SPICED CRANBERRY-PEAR CHUTNEY on the side. In a large saucepan, combine 3 large ripe pears cut into 1/2-inch pieces, 1 small chopped onion, 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup cider vinegar, 1 seeded and finely chopped fresh jalapeno pepper, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon allspice. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes or until thickened. Stir occasionally. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Add DINNER ROLLS. Everyone will want your PUMPKIN PIE for dessert.

Plan

Save enough turkey and pie for Friday and enough casserole for Saturday. Save the rest of the leftovers for future meals.

Shopping List

turkey, dressing, gravy, sweet potatoes, plain dry bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, butter, Italian seasoning, frozen broccoli florets, frozen cauliflower florets, onion, flour, garlic powder, coarse salt, coarse ground black pepper, 1 percent milk, Neufchatel cream cheese, cranberry sauce (if desired) or pears, sweetened dried cranberries, light brown sugar, cider vinegar, fresh jalapeno pepper, lime, allspice, dinner rolls, pumpkin pie.


Friday: Heat and Eat

Lighten up and use those leftovers for TURKEY NOODLE SOUP. Combine 3 (14-ounce) cans fat-free chicken broth, 1 cup water, 1 cup sliced carrots and 1 cup sliced celery in a large pot. Bring to boil; add 4 ounces no-yolk extra-wide noodles and boil 6 minutes or until noodles are almost tender. Add 1/2 cup frozen petite green peas and boil 1 minute or until noodles and vegetables are tender. Stir in 2 1/2 cups large shreds of cooked (leftover) turkey and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley; heat through.

Serve the soup with MIXED GREENS and CRACKERS. Slice the leftover PIE for dessert.

Plan

Prepare the lemon ice for Saturday if desired.

Shopping List

fat-free chicken broth, carrots, celery, no-yolk extra-wide noodles, frozen petite green peas, fresh parsley, salad greens, crackers.


Saturday: Easy Entertaining

For a change of pace, serve your guests BAKED SALMON WITH TOMATOES AND COUSCOUS. Add the leftover BROCCOLI CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE and CRUSTY BREAD.

Soothe your palate with LEMON ICE for dessert. In a food processor or blender, process 1 (12-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate (thawed), 3 cups ice cubes, 1 cup water and 1/3 cup sugar until smooth. Pour mixture into a 9-by-13-inch pan and freeze for 45 minutes. Process partially frozen mixture until smooth. Return to pan; freeze 8 hours. Scrape with fork before serving.

Shopping List

tomatoes, olive oil, coarse salt, dried oregano, garlic, pepper, couscous, skinless salmon fillets, crusty bread, frozen lemonade concentrate, sugar.

health

7 Day Menu Planner for November 10, 2013

7 Day Menu Planner  by by Susan Nicholson
by Susan Nicholson
7 Day Menu Planner | November 10th, 2013

Sunday: Family

That wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen is ROASTED CHICKEN WITH FRUIT COMPOTE. Serve the roaster with LEMONY SWEET POTATOES. Bake the sweet potatoes in a 350-degree oven about 45 minutes or until tender. Mix some butter, fresh lemon juice and lemon zest together and add to split potatoes.

Serve with frozen petite GREEN PEAS and CRUSTY ROLLS. Buy a BOSTON CREAM PIE for dessert.

Plan

Save enough chicken, fruit compote and pie for Monday.

Shopping List

roasting chicken, canola oil, coarse salt, pepper, red or green apples, red or green pears, green onions, dried apricots, pitted prunes, apple cider or juice, fat-free chicken broth, cloves, lemon, sweet potatoes, butter, frozen petite green peas, crusty rolls, Boston cream pie.


Monday: Heat and Eat

Use those chicken leftovers for WILD RICE SALAD. Serve with a crisp LETTUCE WEDGE and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Slice the leftover PIE for dessert.

Shopping List

packaged long-grain and wild rice, seedless grapes, celery, green onions, walnuts, parsley, coarse salt, pepper, orange juice, white wine vinegar, sugar, hot pepper sauce, lettuce, whole-grain rolls.


Tuesday: Express

Try your favorite BRATWURST tonight. We like them best grilled and served on crusty rolls. Slather spicy brown mustard and some chopped onions on top. Buy deli GERMAN POTATO SALAD to accompany the "brats." You'll want a light dessert, and CHUNKY APPLESAUCE is just right.

Shopping List

bratwurst, crusty rolls, spicy brown mustard, onion, deli German potato salad, chunky applesauce.


Wednesday: Meatless

The texture resembles meat, so PHILABELLA CHEESE "STEAK" SANDWICHES could fool you. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high. Add 4 large thinly sliced portabella mushroom caps and 4 cups thin onion wedges. Cook and stir 8 minutes or until browned; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Remove and discard some of the soft part of 4 split hoagie rolls; lightly toast rolls. Place a slice of low-fat cheese and mushroom mixture on bottom of rolls, dividing evenly. Cover with tops.

Serve with a MIXED GREENS SALAD. Scoop fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM and drizzle with STRAWBERRY SAUCE for dessert.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Saturday.

Shopping List

olive oil, portabella mushroom caps, onions, coarse salt, pepper, hoagie rolls, low-fat cheese slices, salad greens, fat-free vanilla ice cream, strawberry sauce.


Thursday: Kids

Make mild-flavored MEXICAN LASAGNA for the kids. Serve with CHOPPED LETTUCE and SOFT ROLLS. For dessert, PLUMS are easy.

Plan

Save enough lasagna for Friday.

Shopping List

chili powder, cumin, coarse salt, canned Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, reduced-fat sour cream, canned chopped green chiles, fat-free flour tortillas, canned chicken breast, canned reduced-sodium pinto beans, 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese, green onions, sliced black olives if desired, lettuce, soft rolls, plums.


Friday: Budget

Save money and time by heating the leftover LASAGNA tonight. Garnish with sliced jalapeno pickles. Serve with an ITALIAN SALAD and GARLIC BREAD. For dessert, FRESH PINEAPPLE sprinkled with toasted coconut is good.

Plan

Save some toasted coconut for Saturday.

Shopping List

sliced jalapeno pickles, Italian salad, garlic bread, fresh pineapple, coconut.


Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Invite guests for GRILLED LAMB LOIN CHOPS WITH 6 SPICES. Bring 4 lamb loin chops to room temperature (at least 30 minutes). In spice or coffee grinder, grind 1 tablespoon whole coriander seeds, 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons black peppercorns, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt and 1 bay leaf until fine. Sprinkle spice rub over loin chops. Heat grill to medium-high. Grill chops about 4 to 6 minutes per side or 145 degrees for medium-rare. Be careful not to burn spice rub. Let chops stand lightly covered at least 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with GRILLED FINGERLING POTATOES and GREEN BEANS. Add a BIBB LETTUCE SALAD and BAGUETTES. For dessert, top leftover ICE CREAM with leftover toasted COCONUT.

Shopping List

lamb loin chops, whole coriander seeds, fennel seeds, fresh thyme, black peppercorns, coarse salt, bay leaf, fingerling potatoes, green beans, bibb lettuce, baguettes.

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