Sunday: Family

Fire up the family grill for your GRILLED PORK CHOPS. Serve with PARMESAN COUSCOUS. Into the couscous, stir 1/4 cup chopped green onions, 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme.

Serve with an ARUGULA AND STRAWBERRY SALAD. In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon canola oil and 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt. Add 1 generous pint of fresh strawberries (hulled and halved) and a sprinkle of poppy seeds. Add 2 cups arugula; gently mix and serve immediately. (Adapted from "Old School Comfort Food," Alex Guarnaschelli; Clarkson Potter, 2013.)

Add DINNER ROLLS. For dessert, buy a BOSTON CREAM PIE.

Plan

Prepare enough pork chops and save enough pie for Monday.

Shopping List

boneless pork chops, couscous, green onions, parmesan cheese, dried thyme, low-fat mayonnaise, sherry vinegar, honey, extra-virgin olive oil, canola oil, coarse salt, fresh strawberries, poppy seeds, arugula, dinner rolls, Boston cream pie.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Remodel the leftover pork into PORK PANINIS. Spread 1 to 2 teaspoons pesto on each of 8 slices Italian bread. Top 4 slices with thinly sliced cooked pork and sliced provolone cheese; top each sandwich with remaining bread and lightly brush outer surface of sandwiches with olive oil. Grill, pressing down on bread, in a medium-hot skillet until toasted on both sides.

Serve with deli COLESLAW and SLICED AVOCADOS. Leftover PIE is dessert.

Shopping List

pesto, Italian bread, provolone cheese, olive oil, deli coleslaw, avocados.

Tuesday: Express

Make it quick tonight with FRENCH DIP SANDWICHES with ROASTED VEGETABLES. Split a 12-ounce loaf of French bread lengthwise. Spread with 1/4 cup creamy Dijon mustard. Fill with 12 ounces warmed deli sliced roast beef and 1 1/2 pounds deli roasted vegetables (halved if large). Cut loaf into quarters. Heat au jus gravy and dip away.

Serve with CURLY FRIES (frozen) and a packaged GREEN SALAD. For dessert, fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM is easy.

Shopping List

French bread, creamy Dijon mustard, deli sliced roast beef, deli roasted vegetables, au jus gravy, frozen curly fries, packaged green salad, fat-free vanilla ice cream.

Wednesday: Budget

I'm putting TUSCAN BEEF STEW into my favorites file for three reasons: It's delicious, simple to prepare and low in cost. Serve with a MIXED GREENS SALAD and GARLIC BREAD. Keep dessert light with PEARS.

Shopping List

canned condensed tomato soup, canned condensed beef broth, red wine, well-trimmed beef stew meat, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, fresh carrots, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, canned reduced-sodium cannellini beans, salad greens, garlic bread, pears.

Thursday: Kids

Have the kids help you prepare FISH STICKS (frozen) for dinner. Serve them with CREAMY PIEROGIES. In a large pan, cook 1 (16.9-ounce) package low-fat pierogies (any flavor) in boiling water 5 minutes or until they float; drain and transfer to a serving bowl.

Meanwhile, combine 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can less-sodium, less-fat condensed cream of mushroom soup and 1 cup frozen peas and carrots. Microwave on high (100 percent power) 3 to 4 minutes. Spoon over pierogies; toss to coat. Sprinkle with crumbled baked potato chips. On the side, dip BABY CARROTS into ranch dressing for a power-packed crunch.

Drink a STRAWBERRY-BANANA SHAKE for dessert. Blend 4 cups 1 percent milk, 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding, 1 medium banana (cut into chunks) and 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries for 1 minute or until smooth.

Shopping List

frozen fish sticks, any flavor low-fat pierogies, less-sodium, less-fat condensed cream of mushroom soup, frozen peas and carrots, baked potato chips, baby carrots, ranch dressing, 1 percent milk, instant vanilla pudding, banana, fresh or frozen strawberries.

Friday: Meatless

Make your no-meat dinner with little effort with this BLACK BEAN SOUP. While it's cooking, prepare GRILLED CHEESE AND TOMATO SANDWICHES on dense white bread. Slice KIWIFRUIT for dessert.

Shopping List

canned reduced-sodium black beans, salsa, chili powder, vegetable broth, 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese, reduced-fat sour cream, green onions, fresh cilantro, cheese and tomatoes to slice for sandwiches, dense white bread, kiwifruit.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Serve your guests colorful and flavorful CHICKEN WITH SPANISH-STYLE RICE AND TOMATOES. Add a SPINACH SALAD WITH RED ONION RINGS and SOURDOUGH BREAD. Keep the theme going and buy FLAN for dessert.

Shopping List

olive oil, boneless chicken breasts, pepper, garlic, packaged Spanish-style yellow rice, fat-free chicken broth, fresh tomatoes, green bell pepper, canned reduced-sodium black beans, pickled jalapenos, fresh spinach, red onion, sourdough bread, flan.

Sunday: Family

Celebrate Easter with SMOKY BARBECUED LEG OF LAMB. In a large bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon ground coriander and 1 tablespoon cumin. Add 1 (5-pound) trimmed butterflied leg of lamb to bowl; rub in spices. Let stand 1 hour. Cook on a hot grill 8 to 10 minutes or until charred.

Meanwhile, mix 2 tablespoons honey and 2 tablespoons ketchup. Turn lamb; brush grilled side with honey glaze. Grill 8 to 10 minutes more until internal temperature is 135 degrees. Let stand 10 minutes or until the internal temperature rises to 145 degrees for medium-rare. Thinly slice lamb crosswise.

Accompany it with POTATO SALAD and any BROCCOLI SLAW. (Stir shredded red cabbage into the slaw.) Fill the breadbasket with WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Decorate a COCONUT CAKE with old-fashioned jellybeans.

Plan

Save enough lamb and cake for Monday.

Shopping List

chili powder, paprika, ground coriander, cumin, butterflied leg of lamb, honey, ketchup, Yukon gold potatoes, low-fat mayonnaise, reduced-fat sour cream, celery, green onions, mustard seeds, less-sodium seasoned salt, any broccoli slaw, red cabbage, whole-grain rolls, coconut cake, jellybeans.

Monday: Heat and Eat

For STUFFED PITAS tonight, chop some of the leftover lamb. Mix it with couscous made with coarsely chopped carrots and cucumbers, 1/4 cup sliced green onions, 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds, 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and coarse salt and pepper to taste. Stuff mixture into whole-grain pita bread. (Line the pita with a lettuce leaf.) Serve with BAKED POTATO CHIPS. Slice the leftover CAKE for dessert.

Shopping List

couscous, carrots, cucumbers, green onions, slivered almonds, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, coarse salt, pepper, whole-grain pita bread, lettuce, baked potato chips.

Tuesday: Express

A good GRILLED SANDWICH always gets my attention, and you can see why we saluted this one made with white cheddar cheese, tomato slices and cooked bacon on sourdough bread. On medium heat, grill sandwich on the cheese-side first, so the bacon stays crisp. Add any deli SOUP and a packaged GREEN SALAD for a delicious meal. Enjoy fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM for dessert.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Friday.

Shopping List

white cheddar cheese, tomatoes, bacon, sourdough bread, any deli soup, packaged green salad, fat-free vanilla ice cream.

Wednesday: Kids

Be a teacher and show the kids how to make MINI PIZZAS in no time. Spread 2 tablespoons meat pasta sauce (any brand) on toasted slices (1/2-inch thick) of Italian bread. Top each slice with shredded mozzarella cheese. Microwave 1 minute on high (100 percent power) or until cheese melts. Serve with a CHOPPED LETTUCE SALAD WITH ORANGE SECTIONS.

Wow 'em with BERRIES AND CREAM for a fruit-filled dessert. Use a spoon to gently mix together 1/2 cup blackberries, 1/2 cup raspberries, 1 cup sliced strawberries, 1 cup blueberries and 2 cups fat-free whipped topping. Spoon into 4 waffle cones (such as Keebler or another brand). Dust tops with cocoa powder if desired.

Tip

Be a teacher and show the kids how to make MINI PIZZAS in no time. Spread 2 tablespoons meat pasta sauce (any brand) on toasted slices (1/2-inch thick) of Italian bread. Top each slice with shredded mozzarella cheese. Microwave 1 minute on high (100 percent power) or until cheese melts. Serve with a CHOPPED LETTUCE SALAD WITH ORANGE SECTIONS.

Wow 'em with BERRIES AND CREAM for a fruit-filled dessert. Use a spoon to gently mix together 1/2 cup blackberries, 1/2 cup raspberries, 1 cup sliced strawberries, 1 cup blueberries and 2 cups fat-free whipped topping. Spoon into 4 waffle cones (such as Keebler or another brand). Dust tops with cocoa powder if desired.

Shopping List

any brand meat pasta sauce, Italian bread, shredded mozzarella cheese, lettuce, oranges, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, fat-free whipped topping, waffle cones (such as Keebler or another brand), cocoa powder if desired.

Thursday: Budget

Skip the high food cost, but enjoy the flavor of PORK CHOPS WITH SAUERKRAUT AND APPLES. Some people will want SPICY MUSTARD with the meal, too. Serve with MASHED POTATOES, PICKLED BEETS and RYE BREAD alongside. GINGERSNAPS are a simple dessert.

Shopping List

sweet potatoes, onions, Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, pepper, boneless pork chops, refrigerated sauerkraut, spicy mustard, potatoes to mash, pickled beets, rye bread, gingersnaps.

Friday: Meatless

You won't miss meat when you serve TANDOORI GARBANZO AND TOMATO STEW. It goes well with aromatic rice, such as BASMATI RICE. Serve with a MIXED GREENS SALAD and FLATBREAD. Leftover ICE CREAM is an easy dessert.

Shopping List

olive oil, onion, garlic, fresh gingerroot, garam masala or curry powder, canned no-salt-added diced fire-roasted tomatoes, reduced-sodium garbanzo beans (chickpeas), fresh cilantro, lemon, coarse salt, plain yogurt or fat-free sour cream, basmati rice, salad greens, flatbread.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Grill STEAKS for your guests. Use (6- to 8-ounce) beef chuck eye or flat iron steaks.

On the side, slow-roasted LEMON ROASTED POTATOES AND CARROTS are delicious. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Place 6 to 8 medium potatoes (peeled and quartered) and 4 medium carrots (cut into 1-inch pieces) in a roasting pan in 1 layer. Whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard, and coarse salt and pepper to taste. Pour over potatoes and carrots; toss to coat. Bake 2 to 3 hours or until tender.

Add a ROMAINE SALAD and CRUSTY BREAD. For dessert, STRAWBERRY SORBET AND BUTTER COOKIES are all you need.

Shopping List

beef chuck eye or flat iron steaks to grill, potatoes, fresh carrots, olive oil, lemons, dry mustard, coarse salt, pepper, romaine, crusty bread, strawberry sorbet, butter cookies.

Sunday: Family

Keep family day simple with your own ROAST TURKEY BREAST. Pair it with OVEN-ROASTED SWEET POTATOES AND ONIONS. Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, combine 2 1/4 pounds (about 4 medium) sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces), 1 pound sweet onions (such as Vidalia), 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon garlic-pepper blend and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt; toss to coat. Bake 35 minutes or until tender; stir occasionally.

While the potatoes bake, prepare SPICY BRUSSELS SPROUTS. Halve and then shred 1 pound fresh brussels sprouts. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high. Add 1 small, fresh, seeded and chopped jalapeno pepper and 1 clove minced garlic; cook 2 minutes or until tender. Add sprouts; cook 2 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar and cook 1 minute. Serve immediately.

Add PICKLED BEETS alongside. Finish the meal with warm BREAD PUDDING.

Plan

Save enough turkey for Monday and Tuesday; save enough bread pudding for Monday.

Shopping List

turkey breast to roast, sweet potatoes, sweet onions (such as Vidalia), extra-virgin olive oil, garlic-pepper blend, coarse salt, fresh brussels sprouts, butter, fresh jalapeno pepper, garlic, sugar, pickled beets, bread pudding.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Use some of the leftover turkey in TURKEY TORTELLINI SOUP. Add a LETTUCE WEDGE and CRACKERS on the side. Warm the leftover BREAD PUDDING for dessert.

Shopping List

fat-free chicken broth, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, canned white beans, sliced fresh mushrooms, fresh spinach, refrigerated cheese tortellini, parmesan cheese, lettuce, crackers.

Tuesday: Kids

Call the kids for DAGWOOD DELI SANDWICHES. Cut 1-pound loaf of French bread into 4 to 6 equal pieces and then halve horizontally. Brush cut sides of bread with honey-mustard salad dressing. Layer bottom half with thinly sliced deli ham, thinly sliced (leftover) turkey, 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese slices, sliced tomatoes and shredded lettuce. Top with remaining bread. Secure with wooden picks, cut in half and serve.

Add deli CARROT SALAD on the side. Buy CUPCAKES and serve them with PEACHES for dessert.

Shopping List

French bread, honey-mustard salad dressing, deli ham, 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, deli carrot salad, cupcakes, peaches.

Wednesday: Express

Make it a quick meal tonight with deli TUNA SALAD on packaged MIXED GREENS (stir grape halves and toasted walnuts into the tuna salad for extra flavor) and add WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS on the side. Munch on PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES for dessert.

Shopping List

deli tuna salad, packaged mixed greens, grapes, walnuts, whole-grain rolls, peanut butter cookies.

Thursday: Budget

Carry on with this week's soup theme and serve economical CHICKPEA AND PASTA SOUP. Add a SPINACH SALAD with egg wedges and CRUSTY BREAD. Fresh PINEAPPLE SPEARS are good for dessert.

Shopping List

canned reduced-sodium chickpeas (garbanzo beans), fat-free chicken broth, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, fresh rosemary, crushed red pepper, coarse salt, freshly ground pepper, short pasta such as ditalini or tubetti, spinach, eggs, crusty bread, fresh pineapple spears.

Friday: Meatless

These MUSHROOM SLOPPY JOES prove that you don't need meat to have good flavor. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon canola oil over medium. Add 1 pound chopped fresh white mushrooms; cook and stir 8 minutes or until browned and liquid has evaporated. Stir in 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can sloppy Joe sauce. Cook mixture 3 minutes or until thick. Divide and spoon mushroom mixture among 4 split and toasted whole-grain hamburger buns.

Serve immediately with canned VEGETARIAN BAKED BEANS. Add a MIXED GREENS SALAD. Bring some happiness with fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM with toasted coconut and chocolate chips for dessert.

Tip

These MUSHROOM SLOPPY JOES prove that you don't need meat to have good flavor. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon canola oil over medium. Add 1 pound chopped fresh white mushrooms; cook and stir 8 minutes or until browned and liquid has evaporated. Stir in 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can sloppy Joe sauce. Cook mixture 3 minutes or until thick. Divide and spoon mushroom mixture among 4 split and toasted whole-grain hamburger buns.

Serve immediately with canned VEGETARIAN BAKED BEANS. Add a MIXED GREENS SALAD. Bring some happiness with fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM with toasted coconut and chocolate chips for dessert.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Saturday.

Shopping List

canola oil, fresh white mushrooms, canned sloppy Joe sauce, whole-grain hamburger buns, canned vegetarian baked beans, salad greens, fat-free vanilla ice cream, coconut, chocolate chips.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Invite friends for HONEY ORANGE PORK CHOPS. Mix 1/3 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro leaves, 1 tablespoon seasoned salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon cumin and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Reserve 3 tablespoons marinade; set aside. Place 4 (1/2-inch-thick) boneless pork chops in resealable plastic bag; add unreserved marinade; turn to coat. Refrigerate 1 to 3 hours, turning several times; remove pork; discard marinade. Broil or grill on medium 3 to 4 minutes per side or until 145 degrees, brushing with reserved 3 tablespoons marinade halfway through cooking.

Serve the chops with RICE PILAF. Add a BIBB LETTUCE SALAD and SOURDOUGH ROLLS. Layer leftover ICE CREAM with fresh strawberries in stemmed glasses and top with a dollop of light whipped cream for a festive dessert.

Shopping List

orange juice, honey, olive oil, fresh cilantro, seasoned salt, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, boneless pork chops, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, wild rice, fat-free chicken broth, long-grain rice, fresh parsley, Bibb lettuce, sourdough rolls, fresh strawberries, light whipped cream.