health

7 Day Menu Planner for February 02, 2014

7 Day Menu Planner  by by Susan Nicholson
by Susan Nicholson
7 Day Menu Planner | February 2nd, 2014

Sunday: Family

For family day, enjoy MUSTARD-CRUSTED PORK ROAST. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Season a 2-pound boneless pork loin roast with coarse salt and pepper to taste. Place in a shallow pan and roast for 30 minutes; remove from oven and spread with 2 tablespoons spicy mustard and sprinkle with 1 cup garlic croutons (crushed). Continue to roast 10 to 15 minutes or until meat thermometer registers 145 degrees. Remove from oven, tent with foil and let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

Serve with BAKED SWEET POTATOES and BAKED SPINACH. Buy a DEEP-DISH APPLE PIE for dessert.

Plan

Save enough pork, bake enough potatoes and save enough pie for Monday.

Shopping List

boneless pork loin roast, coarse salt, pepper, spicy mustard, garlic croutons, sweet potatoes to bake, cooking spray, onion, garlic, Neufchatel cheese, flour, nutmeg, skim milk, egg substitute or eggs, frozen chopped spinach, shredded Swiss cheese, deep-dish apple pie.


Monday: Heat and Eat

Make SLICED PORK SANDWICHES on ROSEMARY BREAD with the leftover pork tonight. (Toast the bread and brush it with olive oil.) Cut the leftover potatoes into wedges, sprinkle with chili powder and bake in 425-degree oven until hot (about 10 minutes) and buy deli COLESLAW to accompany the simple meal. Leftover PIE is dessert.

Shopping List

rosemary bread, olive oil, chili powder, deli coleslaw.


Tuesday: Meatless

Serve Italian-inspired CANNELLINI BEAN AND ESCAROLE STEW over BROWN RICE for a no-meat meal. Add a MIXED GREENS SALAD and CRUSTY ROLLS. For dessert, serve FRESH PINEAPPLE SPEARS.

Shopping List

olive oil, onions, escarole, garlic, coarse salt, pepper, canned cannellini beans, canned diced no-salt-added tomatoes, brown rice, salad greens, crusty rolls, fresh pineapple spears.


Wednesday: Kids

Kids know that pizza is one of the special "kid-food groups," so BARBECUE CHICKEN PIZZA fits right in. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Spread a thin whole-grain pizza crust with 1 (9- or 10-ounce) package cooked (chopped) chicken mixed with 1/2 cup mild barbecue sauce. Top with 1 cup shredded part-skim Monterey Jack cheese mixed with 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh spinach. Bake about 10 minutes or until hot. Accompany the pizza with CARROT STICKS. For dessert, ORANGE SECTIONS are good.

Plan

Order a heart-shaped chocolate cake for your honey for Friday.

Shopping List

thin whole-grain pizza crust, packaged cooked chicken, mild barbecue sauce, shredded part-skim Monterey Jack cheese, fresh spinach, carrot sticks, oranges.


Thursday: Budget

Pinch some pennies and serve SAUCY MEATBALL SUBS for a delicious money-saver. Accompany the flavor-packed dish with a GREEN SALAD. KIWIFRUIT makes a simple dessert.

Shopping List

eggs, whole-grain bread, onion, coarse salt, dried Italian seasoning, 95 percent lean ground beef, jarred no-salt-added or regular tomato-based pasta sauce, hoagies or other sandwich rolls, parmesan cheese, salad greens, kiwifruit.


Friday: Express

Make Valentine's Day special with PEPPER-GARLIC TENDERLOIN STEAKS. Heat a large nonstick skillet for 5 minutes over medium. Combine 1 large crushed garlic clove and 1/4 teaspoon cracked black peppercorns. Press evenly into both sides of 2 (4 to 5 ounces each) beef tenderloin steaks (cut 1-inch thick). Place steaks in skillet. Cook 10 to 13 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness; turn occasionally. Remove; keep warm. Add 1/2 cup lower-sodium beef broth to skillet; increase heat to medium-high. Cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until sauce is reduced by half. Spoon sauce over steaks. Top with crumbled blue cheese.

Serve the tender steaks with BAKED STUFFED POTATOES (frozen) and PEAS WITH PEARL ONIONS (frozen). Add DINNER ROLLS. For dessert, enjoy a HEART-SHAPED CHOCOLATE CAKE with RASPBERRY SORBET by candlelight.

Tip

Send the kids to their grandmother's tonight.

Plan

Save some cake for Saturday.

Shopping List

garlic, black peppercorns, beef tenderloin steaks, lower-sodium beef broth, crumbled blue cheese, frozen baked stuffed potatoes, frozen peas with pearl onions, dinner rolls, heart-shaped chocolate cake, raspberry sorbet.


Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Prepare your own LAMB CHOPS for guests.

Accompany your prize recipe with RICE PILAF. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet on medium; add 1 small chopped onion and 1/2 cup slivered almonds. Cook 7 minutes or until onion is softened and almonds are golden. Stir in 1 1/2 cups basmati rice, 1/2 cup golden raisins, 1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt; cook 2 minutes. Add 3 cups fat-free chicken broth and bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until rice is tender.

Serve with MARINATED CUCUMBER AND TOMATO SALAD. Add 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint to your own vinaigrette. Pour over 3 medium cucumbers (thinly sliced), 3 medium tomatoes (cut into wedges), 1 medium red onion (thinly sliced), and coarse salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently to coat; cover and marinate 2 hours.

Serve with FLATBREAD. Slice the leftover CAKE and top it with light whipped cream.

Shopping List

lamb chops, butter, onion, slivered almonds, basmati rice, golden raisins, turmeric, cinnamon, coarse salt, fat-free chicken broth, fresh mint, vinaigrette, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, pepper, flatbread, light whipped cream.

health

7 Day Menu Planner for January 26, 2014

7 Day Menu Planner  by by Susan Nicholson
by Susan Nicholson
7 Day Menu Planner | January 26th, 2014

Sunday: Family

Start the Super Bowl festivities with corn chips (such as The Better Chip brand) and your GUACAMOLE and SALSA. TEXAS BARBECUE BEEF BRISKET will bring the family to the table in a hurry. Accompany the delicious beef with BAKED BEANS, deli COLESLAW and CORNBREAD (from a mix). Finish this fine meal with warm PEACH COBBLER and fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save enough brisket, beans and coleslaw for Monday. Save enough cobbler for Tuesday and enough ice cream for Saturday.

Shopping List

corn chips (such as The Better Chip brand), guacamole, salsa, chili powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, boneless beef brisket flat half, any barbecue sauce, dry red wine, baked beans, deli coleslaw, cornbread mix, peach cobbler, fat-free vanilla ice cream.


Monday: Heat and Eat

One of the best parts of the leftover beef is BARBECUED BEEF SANDWICHES the next day. Heat and shred the leftover beef and serve on toasted whole-grain hamburger buns. Serve alongside the leftover BEANS and COLESLAW. Make dessert light with KIWIFRUIT.

Shopping List

whole-grain hamburger buns, kiwifruit.


Tuesday: Budget

A tasty way to save money is making TUNA-MUSHROOM MELT SANDWICHES for dinner. In a small bowl, combine 1 (6-ounce) can drained, water-packed albacore tuna, 1/4 cup chopped celery and 2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise; stir until blended. Set aside. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil on medium. Add 4 medium-sized portobello mushroom caps (6 ounces total), gill-side up with stems removed, and cover and cook 4 minutes. Uncover and turn, then re-cover and cook 3 minutes or until tender. Turn mushrooms; top each one with tuna mixture and 1 slice low-fat American cheese. Cover and cook 2 minutes or until cheese melts. Place each mushroom on 1 slice toasted whole-grain bread.

Serve the open-faced sandwiches with HASH-BROWNED POTATOES (frozen) and a MIXED GREEN SALAD. Warm the leftover COBBLER and top it with light whipped cream.

Shopping List

canned water-packed albacore tuna, celery, low-fat mayonnaise, olive oil, portobello mushrooms, low-fat American cheese slices, whole-grain bread, frozen hash-browned potatoes, salad greens, light whipped cream.


Wednesday: Meatless

No need to take a trip to southern Italy for SICILIAN PASTA when you can make your own. Cook 8 ounces bow tie pasta according to directions; drain.

Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium. Add 1 small cubed eggplant (about 3 cups), 1 medium red bell pepper (cut into strips) and 1 medium onion (cut into wedges); cook and stir 10 minutes or until softened. Add 1 (26-ounce) jar of red pasta sauce with mushrooms and ripe olives (or another flavor); simmer 10 minutes. Spoon over pasta.

Serve with an ITALIAN SALAD and GARLIC BREAD. For dessert, PEARS are easy.

Shopping List

bow tie pasta, olive oil, eggplant, red bell pepper, onion, jar red pasta sauce with mushrooms and ripe olives (or another flavor), Italian salad, garlic bread, pears.


Thursday: Express

Make dinner quick tonight with a ROTISSERIE CHICKEN. Serve the chicken with packaged MASHED POTATOES. Add any MIXED VEGETABLES (frozen), a packaged GREEN SALAD and CRUSTY ROLLS, and you have a fine dinner. For dessert, CHUNKY APPLESAUCE with cinnamon is easy.

Shopping List

rotisserie chicken, packaged mashed potatoes, any frozen mixed vegetables, packaged green salad, crusty rolls, chunky applesauce, cinnamon.


Friday: Kids

Make the little angels happy tonight with a favorite, CHEESEBURGER MACARONI. Add STEAMED FRESH SPINACH and SOFT ROLLS. Teach the kids to make DESSERT SANDWICHES for a sweet treat. Spoon 2 tablespoons whipped topping (frozen and thawed) between 2 chocolate graham cracker squares, then freeze.

Tip

Because spinach is mostly water, 1 pound fresh spinach reduces to 3/4 to 1 cup cooked.

Shopping List

small elbow macaroni, lean ground beef, ground turkey breast, onion, canned Italian stewed tomatoes, ketchup, cayenne pepper, coarse salt, 50 percent reduced-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese, fresh spinach, soft rolls, frozen whipped topping, chocolate graham cracker squares.


Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Treat your guests extra-special and serve them POMEGRANATE AND LIME CHICKEN THIGHS. Serve the savory dish with BROWN RICE, YELLOW SUMMER SQUASH and SOURDOUGH BREAD. For dessert, spoon warm fat-free caramel sauce over leftover ICE CREAM.

Shopping List

Greek yogurt, pomegranate juice, coarse salt, garlic powder, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, pomegranate arils (seeds) if desired, sugar, lime, honey, Dijon mustard, brown rice, yellow summer squash, sourdough bread, fat-free caramel sauce.

health

7 Day Menu Planner for January 19, 2014

7 Day Menu Planner  by by Susan Nicholson
by Susan Nicholson
7 Day Menu Planner | January 19th, 2014

Sunday: Family

Celebrate family day with your own LEG OF LAMB. Serve it with a Southern favorite, CHEESE AND GARLIC GRITS. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 7-by-11-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Bring 4 cups water to boil in a large saucepan. Stir in 1 cup quick grits and 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook 5 to 7 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed less-sodium, less-fat cheddar cheese soup (such as Healthy Request), 1 tablespoon butter and 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce; mix well. Spread mixture in dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup 50 percent reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese and garnish with paprika. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbly and cheese melts.

Serve with steamed CARROTS and BAGUETTES. For dessert, buy a BOSTON CREAM PIE.

Plan

Save enough lamb, grits and pie for Monday.

Shopping List

leg of lamb, cooking spray, quick grits, garlic salt, canned condensed less-sodium, less-fat cheddar cheese soup, butter, hot pepper sauce, 50 percent reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, paprika, carrots, baguettes, Boston cream pie.


Monday: Heat and Eat

Make LAMB SANDWICHES for an easy meal. Brush slices of rosemary bread (or focaccia) with olive oil. Top with sliced lamb, roasted red pepper strips (from a jar), sliced tomatoes, red-tip lettuce and goat cheese. Warm the leftover GRITS to accompany the knock-your-socks-off flavor of the sandwich. Finish with leftover PIE.

Shopping List

rosemary bread (or focaccia), olive oil, jar roasted red peppers, tomatoes, red-tip lettuce, goat cheese.


Tuesday: Meatless

It takes a little extra time, but RISOTTO WITH BLACK OLIVES AND ROASTED RED PEPPERS is worth it. Serve the creamy rice concoction with an ITALIAN SALAD and GARLIC BREAD. For dessert, try TROPICAL FRUITS.

Shopping List

olive oil, arborio rice, dry white wine, low-sodium vegetable broth, canned no-salt-added corn, jar roasted red peppers, canned sliced black olives, dried tarragon, Italian salad, garlic bread, canned or fresh tropical fruits.


Wednesday: Budget

We never mind low-cost menus, especially when they have as much flavor as LENTILS WITH BACON AND TOMATOES. Serve the high-fiber dish with a SPINACH SALAD and FLATBREAD. PEACHES work for dessert.

Shopping List

bacon, canola oil, onion, dry lentils, quick-cooking barley, canned lower-sodium beef broth, cumin, allspice, canned stewed tomatoes, fresh parsley, fresh spinach, flatbread, peaches.


Thursday: Kids

Tell the kids they are having PIGS IN A JACKET for dinner and watch them laugh. Spread vegetarian refried beans on fat-free flour tortillas. Place heated hot dogs (such as Applegate) on the beans. Top with any shredded cheese; roll and heat in the microwave until the cheese melts. Make a SALAD by tossing shredded lettuce with chopped tomatoes and ranch-style dressing. For dessert, FRESH ORANGE SLICES are refreshing.

Shopping List

vegetarian refried beans, fat-free flour tortillas, hot dogs (such as Applegate), any shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, ranch-style dressing, oranges.


Friday: Express

Try BREAKFAST-FOR-DINNER BURRITOS. In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook 1/2 cup chopped onion 4 minutes on medium or until softened. Add 1 cup egg substitute (such as Eggbeaters Southwestern-Style or another brand and flavor); sprinkle with black pepper to taste. Cook and stir mixture until eggs are set. Divide mixture evenly among 4 (8-inch) warmed fat-free flour tortillas; top with 1/2 cup shredded 50 percent reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese. Fold tortillas over egg mixture; top with drained salsa.

Serve with HASH-BROWNED POTATOES (frozen). For dessert, make instant BANANA PUDDING with 1 percent milk. Stir in sliced bananas and garnish with vanilla wafers.

Shopping List

cooking spray, onion, egg substitute, black pepper, fat-free flour tortillas, 50 percent reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, salsa, frozen hash-browned potatoes, instant banana pudding, 1 percent milk, bananas, vanilla wafers.


Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Invite friends for delicious ASIAN FLOUNDER. Remove tops from 8 green onions; slice them into 1-inch pieces to measure 1/4 cup; set aside. Cut white portion into 2-inch pieces.

Combine 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro, 1 tablespoon peeled, minced fresh ginger and 1 teaspoon dark sesame (toasted) oil in a 7-by-11-inch baking dish. Fold 4 (5- or 6-ounce) skinless flounder fillets in half crosswise. Arrange fish spokelike with thinnest portions toward center of baking dish. Arrange white part of onions around fillets. Combine onion tops, 1 more teaspoon dark sesame oil and 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce and pour over fish. Cover and vent with plastic wrap. Microwave on high (100 percent power) 4 minutes or until fish is opaque throughout. Let stand 1 minute, covered. Spoon liquid over fish. Garnish with a lemon slice and serve with JASMINE RICE.

Add fresh steamed SUGAR SNAP PEAS, a BIBB LETTUCE SALAD and SOURDOUGH ROLLS. LEMON-BLUEBERRY ANGEL CAKE DESSERT is a delicious and beautiful lower-calorie dessert.

Shopping List

green onions, fresh cilantro, fresh ginger, dark sesame oil, flounder fillets, low-sodium soy sauce, lemon, jasmine rice, fresh sugar snap peas, bibb lettuce, sourdough rolls, angel food cake, Neufchatel cheese, frozen light whipped dessert topping, fresh or frozen blueberries.

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