Sunday: Family

Go all out for the family and prepare GLAZED SAGE-ROASTED CHICKEN today. Serve the juicy bird with CREAMY RICE (toss hot cooked rice with reduced-fat sour cream and crumbled bacon). Add PETITE GREEN PEAS (frozen) and BAGUETTES. For dessert, top POUND CAKE (frozen) with RASPBERRY SAUCE. In a blender, process 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen raspberries (thawed) with 2 teaspoons sugar. Strain and discard seeds. Chill 1 hour and spoon over cake.

Plan

Save enough chicken and raspberry sauce for Monday. Save enough cake for Wednesday.

Shopping List

roasting chicken, fresh sage, orange, canned apricot halves, orange juice concentrate, rice, reduced-fat sour cream, bacon, frozen petite green peas, baguettes, frozen pound cake, frozen raspberries, sugar.

Monday: Budget

A good way to save money is to prepare CHICKEN AND POTATOES AU GRATIN using leftover chicken. On the side, HARVARD BEETS (such as Aunt Nellie's) are good. Add a GREEN SALAD and SOURDOUGH BREAD. For dessert, spoon leftover RASPBERRY SAUCE over fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save one casserole for Wednesday.

Shopping List

cooking spray, frozen hash-browned potatoes, canned condensed reduced-fat, reduced-sodium cream of celery soup (such as Healthy Request), reduced-fat sour cream, onion, shredded 50 percent reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, Harvard beets (such as Aunt Nellie's), salad greens, sourdough bread, fat-free vanilla ice cream.

Tuesday: Express

TACO NIGHT gets dinner on the table in a hurry. Follow the directions on any reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix and fill the taco shells with the mixture. Top the tacos with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes and diced avocados. Serve with vegetarian REFRIED BEANS. For dessert, make FLAN (from a mix).

Shopping List

any reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix, taco shells, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, vegetarian refried beans, flan mix.

Wednesday: Heat and Eat

Take a break. All you have to do tonight is reheat Monday's CHICKEN CASSEROLE and serve it with fresh BRUSSELS SPROUTS. Add WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Dessert is leftover CAKE with SLICED PEACHES.

Shopping List

fresh brussels sprouts, whole-grain rolls, peaches.

Thursday: Kids

The kids always like SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS. Buy any meatballs and top the spaghetti with your own or another brand red pasta sauce. Sprinkle the combo with freshly grated PARMESAN CHEESE. Serve with GREEN BEANS and ITALIAN BREAD. Make instant CHOCOLATE PUDDING with 1 percent milk and stir in miniature marshmallows for a kid-pleaser.

Shopping List

any meatballs, spaghetti, your own or another brand red pasta sauce, parmesan cheese, green beans, Italian bread, instant chocolate pudding, 1 percent milk, miniature marshmallows.

Friday: Meatless

I never cared that EGG SALAD SANDWICHES were low-cost because they're so delicious. Make your own "salad" and reduce the saturated fat by using more cooked egg whites than yolks, along with low-fat mayonnaise and coarse salt and pepper to taste. I always add a little sweet pickle relish, too. Spread the egg salad on toasted whole-grain bread and top with lettuce and sliced tomatoes.

Add canned NAVY BEAN SOUP alongside. Fresh PINEAPPLE is good for dessert.

Shopping List

eggs, low-fat mayonnaise, coarse salt, pepper, sweet pickle relish, whole-grain bread, lettuce, tomatoes, canned navy bean soup, fresh pineapple.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Prepare KOREAN-GRILLED BEEF SKEWERS for your guests. Place the skewers on a bed of coleslaw mix for a pretty presentation. Add packaged LONG-GRAIN AND WILD RICE with SLICED SUMMER YELLOW SQUASH and CRUSTY BREAD.

For dessert, impress the crowd with VANILLA ORANGES with CHOCOLATE. Toss sliced and peeled oranges with sugar and a dash of pure vanilla extract. Scatter semisweet miniature chocolate chips on each serving.

Shopping List

boneless beef sirloin steak, reduced-sodium soy sauce, sesame seeds, light brown sugar, garlic powder, ground ginger, crushed red pepper, green onions, coleslaw mix, packaged long-grain and wild rice, yellow summer squash, crusty bread, oranges, sugar, pure vanilla extract, semisweet miniature chocolate chips.

Sunday: Family

Prepare your own BAKED TURKEY BREAST for the family today. Alongside, PEAR-ALMOND COUSCOUS is perfect. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free chicken broth, 1/4 cup golden raisins, 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt, 1/4 teaspoon cumin and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in 1 (16-ounce) can drained chopped pear halves, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 cup couscous, 1/3 cup sliced almonds, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro and 1 teaspoon butter. Cover; let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Add FRESH GREEN BEANS and DINNER ROLLS to round out the meal. Buy a CARROT CAKE for dessert.

Plan

Save enough turkey and cake for Monday.

Shopping List

turkey breast to bake, fat-free chicken broth, golden raisins, coarse salt, cumin, pepper, canned pear halves, lemon, couscous, sliced almonds, fresh cilantro, butter, fresh green beans, dinner rolls, carrot cake.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Use the leftover turkey for TOASTY TOMATOES AND TURKEY. Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup cooked (leftover) shredded turkey, 2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans diced undrained tomatoes with chiles, 1 small chopped onion, 2 1/2 cups fresh bread cubes and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Spoon mixture into a 7-by-11-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Dot with 1 tablespoon butter. Bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese and bake 10 more minutes or until cheese begins to brown.

Serve with a SPINACH SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Slice the leftover CAKE for dessert and skip the icing.

Shopping List

canned diced tomatoes with chiles, onion, bread, coarse salt, cooking spray, butter, parmesan cheese, fresh spinach, whole-grain rolls.

Tuesday: Budget

POT ROAST SOUP is delicious on a cold winter night. Serve with a ROMAINE SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. For dessert, FRESH PINEAPPLE is all you need.

Shopping List

boneless beef shoulder roast, onions, canned diced tomatoes with green peppers and onions, frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, lower-sodium beef broth, garlic, dried thyme, coarse salt, pepper, broccoli slaw, frozen peas, romaine, whole-grain bread, fresh pineapple.

Wednesday: Kids

Kids can't eat enough lightly BREADED CHICKEN NUGGETS (frozen). Pair them with CURLY FRIES (frozen) and steamed fresh BROCCOLI FLORETS. Add BREAD STICKS. For dessert, the kids will love BANANA PUDDING made with 1 percent milk.

Tip

Kids can't eat enough lightly BREADED CHICKEN NUGGETS (frozen). Pair them with CURLY FRIES (frozen) and steamed fresh BROCCOLI FLORETS. Add BREAD STICKS. For dessert, the kids will love BANANA PUDDING made with 1 percent milk.

Shopping List

frozen lightly breaded chicken nuggets, frozen curly fries, fresh broccoli, bread sticks, banana pudding mix, 1 percent milk.

Thursday: Express

We're always in the mood for GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES, especially when we have them with TACO SOUP. Prepare your favorite canned tomato soup; stir in some salsa and reduced-fat sour cream and top with any shredded cheddar cheese and baked tortilla chips. Add a packaged GREEN SALAD. For dessert, fat-free CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM is easy.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Saturday.

Shopping List

bread, cheese, canned tomato soup, salsa, reduced-fat sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, baked tortilla chips, packaged green salad, fat-free chocolate ice cream.

Friday: Meatless

Serve these highly seasoned SPICY BAKED POTATOES in shallow bowls to catch the jam-packed flavors. Serve with a MIXED GREENS SALAD and CORNBREAD (from a mix). PLUMS are plum-good for dessert.

Shopping List

baking potatoes, canola oil, onion, green or red bell pepper, garlic, canned chili beans in spicy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pickled jalapeno pepper if desired, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, reduced-fat sour cream, salad greens, cornbread mix, plums.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Put TILAPIA FILLETS WITH CAPERS AND ALMONDS in your favorites file like we did. Serve the fish with ORZO to catch the sauce. Add fresh steamed CARROTS tossed with butter and minced parsley for a pretty plate. SOURDOUGH ROLLS go in the breadbasket. For dessert, top leftover ICE CREAM with crumbled meringue cookies from the bakery.

Shopping List

flour, coarse salt, freshly ground pepper, tilapia (or flounder), butter, olive oil, slivered almonds, capers, lemon, orzo, fresh carrots, parsley, sourdough rolls, meringue cookies.

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

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.

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.