health

7 Day Menu Planner for August 17, 2014

7 Day Menu Planner  by by Susan Nicholson
by Susan Nicholson
7 Day Menu Planner | August 17th, 2014

Sunday: Family

Enjoy ASIAN BARBECUE CHICKEN for family day. Serve it with JASMINE RICE and SUGAR SNAP PEAS. Add a BIBB LETTUCE SALAD and BAGUETTES.

Top fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM with PEACH SAUCE for dessert. Cook 2 sliced, fresh peeled peaches and 1/4 cup orange juice until soft. Mash until chunky; sweeten with sugar to taste. Chill until ready to serve. Spoon over ice cream.

Plan

Prepare enough chicken and save enough ice cream for Monday.

Shopping List

hoisin sauce, honey, reduced-sodium soy sauce, orange juice, garlic, green onions, fresh ginger, cayenne pepper, bone-in skinless chicken thighs, cooking spray, jasmine rice, sugar snap peas, bibb lettuce, baguettes, fat-free vanilla ice cream, fresh peaches, sugar.


Monday: Kids

You can celebrate Labor Day with the kids by skipping the labor part and serving the leftover CHICKEN along with your own BAKED BEANS and COLESLAW for the festive occasion. Serve with SLICED TOMATOES, DEVILED EGGS and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Spoon the leftover ICE CREAM over BROWNIES when it's time for dessert.

Plan

Save enough brownies for Thursday.

Shopping List

baked beans, coleslaw, tomatoes, deviled eggs, whole-grain rolls, brownies.


Tuesday: Budget

We never get tired of budget-stretching meatloaf, especially if it's as tasty as ITALIAN MEATLOAF WITH FRESH BASIL AND PROVOLONE. Meatloaf is best with your MASHED POTATOES. Add a SPINACH SALAD WITH RED ONION RINGS and CRUSTY ROLLS. Fresh PLUMS are great for dessert.

Plan

Save enough meatloaf for Wednesday.

Shopping List

sun-dried tomatoes (packed without oil), ketchup, seasoned bread crumbs, onion, fresh basil, provolone cheese, eggs, garlic, 95 percent lean ground beef, cooking spray, potatoes to mash, fresh spinach, red onion, crusty rolls, fresh plums.


Wednesday: Heat and Eat

Dinner will be a breeze tonight because you're making BROILED OPEN-FACE MEATLOAF SANDWICHES on ITALIAN BREAD. Top with marinara sauce and sprinkle with parmesan. Broil until bubbly. Add a LETTUCE WEDGE. For dessert, what could be better than a NECTARINE?

Shopping List

Italian bread, marinara sauce, parmesan, lettuce, nectarines.


Thursday: Meatless

Use your microwave and some of the bountiful summer bell peppers for CHICKPEA- AND COUSCOUS-STUFFED PEPPERS. Add fresh GREEN BEANS, a MIXED GREENS SALAD and SOURDOUGH BREAD. Serve the leftover BROWNIES and add some FRESH APRICOTS for dessert.

Shopping List

red bell peppers, olive oil, garlic, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, canned reduced-sodium chickpeas or garbanzo beans, vegetable broth, couscous, reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese, fresh mint, hot mango chutney (such as Crosse & Blackwell), fresh green beans, salad greens, sourdough bread, fresh apricots.


Friday: Express

Make it fast with FETTUCCINE WITH BROCCOLI-CLAM SAUCE. Cook fettuccine according to directions. Add fresh broccoli florets to boiling pasta water 5 minutes before fettuccine will be done. Drain; toss with heated clam sauce. Add packaged GREENS and GARLIC BREAD. FRESH CHERRIES are dessert.

Tip

Make it fast with FETTUCCINE WITH BROCCOLI-CLAM SAUCE. Cook fettuccine according to directions. Add fresh broccoli florets to boiling pasta water 5 minutes before fettuccine will be done. Drain; toss with heated clam sauce. Add packaged GREENS and GARLIC BREAD. FRESH CHERRIES are dessert.

Shopping List

fettuccine, fresh broccoli florets, clam sauce, packaged greens, garlic bread, fresh cherries.


Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Take it easy and serve your guests GRILLED STRIP STEAKS tonight. Combine 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, 3 cloves chopped garlic and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; reserve 2 teaspoons mixture for garnish. Press seasoning evenly on 2 (10-ounce, 1-inch thick) beef boneless strip steaks. Grill 11 to 15 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness; turn occasionally. Let stand 5 minutes. Carve into slices; sprinkle with remaining seasoning.

ROASTED POTATOES, a ROMAINE SALAD and CRUSTY ROLLS are perfect alongside.

MUFFIN BERRY SHORTCAKES are a delicious dessert. Toast split blueberry muffins, cut-side down, in a toaster oven or buttered skillet. Cool and top with light whipped cream and sliced fresh strawberries.

Shopping List

fresh thyme, fresh oregano, lemon, garlic, pepper, beef boneless strip steaks, potatoes to roast, romaine, crusty rolls, blueberry muffins, light whipped cream, fresh strawberries.

health

7 Day Menu Planner for August 10, 2014

7 Day Menu Planner  by by Susan Nicholson
by Susan Nicholson
7 Day Menu Planner | August 10th, 2014

Sunday: Family

Prepare a MARINATED FLANK STEAK for the family using any packaged dry or prepared marinade and follow the directions on the package. Grill the (1- to 1 1/2-pound) steak 17 to 21 minutes on a medium grill. To serve, thinly slice across the grain.

On the side, serve SPICY CORN BAKE. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine 1 (16-ounce) can cream-style corn, 1 (16-ounce) can rinsed and drained no-salt-added corn kernels, 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles, 1 (8 1/2-ounce) package corn muffin mix (such as Jiffy), 8 ounces reduced-fat sour cream and 1 lightly beaten egg; mix well. Spoon into baking dish; bake 30 minutes.

Serve with steamed FRESH ZUCCHINI. Add MIXED GREENS. Fat-free STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM is dessert.

Plan

Save enough steak and corn bake for Monday. Save enough ice cream for Wednesday.

Shopping List

flank steak, any packaged dry or prepared marinade for steak, cooking spray, canned cream-style corn, canned no-salt-added corn kernels, canned chopped green chiles, corn muffin mix (such as Jiffy), reduced-fat sour cream, egg, fresh zucchini, salad greens, fat-free strawberry ice cream.


Monday: Heat and Eat

Use the leftover beef in MEDITERRANEAN WRAPS. Add beef slices, drained (diced) roasted red peppers (from a 12-ounce jar) and 1/2 cup reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese to a bowl; stir to mix. Spread 1 side of 4 large fat-free whole-grain tortillas with 2 tablespoons refrigerated ranch dip. Top each tortilla (1 inch from the edge) with fresh baby spinach (from a 5-ounce bag), followed with the beef mixture. Starting at the edge nearest you, roll tightly. Cut in half diagonally and serve.

Heat the leftover SPICY CORN BAKE and add CUCUMBER STICKS. Enjoy fresh CHERRIES for dessert.

Shopping List

jar roasted red peppers, reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese, large fat-free whole-grain tortillas, refrigerated ranch dip, fresh baby spinach, cucumbers, fresh cherries.


Tuesday: Meatless

BAKED POTATOES with ITALIAN STUFFING is a light dinner. Slash tops of 4 baked potatoes. Stir together 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1 cup chopped baby spinach, 1/4 cup marinara sauce. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon shredded mozzarella cheese, some dried oregano and dried basil. Heat in microwave 1 more minute or until heated through.

Serve with a ROMAINE SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. For dessert, FRESH PINEAPPLE with toasted coconut is easy.

Shopping List

potatoes to bake, cottage cheese, baby spinach, marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, dried oregano, dried basil, romaine, whole-grain bread, fresh pineapple, coconut.


Wednesday: Budget

We never mind saving money when CHICKEN CHILI is on the menu. Serve with a crisp LETTUCE WEDGE and CRUSTY ROLLS. Top leftover ICE CREAM with chocolate syrup for dessert.

Shopping List

canola oil, ground chicken breast, garlic, canned diced tomatoes with jalapeno peppers, cumin, chili powder, canned reduced-sodium kidney beans, canned reduced-sodium black beans, canned no-salt-added corn kernels, reduced-fat sour cream, 50 percent reduced-fat jalapeno cheese, baked tortilla chips, lettuce wedge, crusty rolls, chocolate syrup.


Thursday: Kids

Calling all kids for MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH HAM. Add a deli CARROT SALAD and SOFT ROLLS. Show the children how to make instant BANANA PUDDING with 1 percent milk. Stir in sliced bananas.

Shopping List

elbow macaroni, butter, flour, 1 percent milk, coarse salt, 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese, canned mild chopped green chiles, diced ham, deli carrot salad, soft rolls, instant banana pudding, bananas.


Friday: Express

TUNA SALAD SANDWICHES (on whole-grain bread) from the deli along with GAZPACHO is a no-fuss dinner, especially when you add a packaged MIXED GREENS SALAD. After a hard week, bite into another sandwich for dessert, ICE CREAM SANDWICHES!

Shopping List

deli tuna sandwiches on whole-grain bread, gazpacho, packaged green salad, ice cream sandwiches.


Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Treat your guests to your GRILLED CHICKEN tonight. Serve it with ROMAN RICE-STUFFED TOMATOES WITH ROASTED POTATOES. Add a ROMAINE SALAD and BAGUETTES.

For dessert, BERRIES IN LIME SYRUP is perfect. Boil 1/3 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons water. Reduce heat to low; simmer until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; stir in 1/4 cup fresh lime juice. Refrigerate until cold. Refrigerate 6 cups halved strawberries. Pour syrup over berries, add lime zest (green part only) and toss to coat. Garnish with thin strips of lime peel if desired.

Shopping List

chicken to grill, arborio rice (or other short-grained rice), large ripe tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, pecorino-Romano cheese, fresh basil or parsley, coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, yellow potatoes (such as Yukon Gold), romaine, baguettes, sugar, limes, strawberries.

health

7 Day Menu Planner for August 03, 2014

7 Day Menu Planner  by by Susan Nicholson
by Susan Nicholson
7 Day Menu Planner | August 3rd, 2014

Sunday: Family

Gather the family for HONEY-ROASTED PORK. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Place 1 (2- to 3-pound) well-trimmed boneless pork loin roast on a rack coated with cooking spray in a shallow, foil-lined roasting pan. Combine 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons crushed black peppercorns, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt; mix well. Brush half the mixture over roast. Bake 20 minutes per pound. Brush roast with remaining honey mixture halfway through baking time. Bake until meat thermometer registers 145 degrees at thickest part. Remove from oven, tent with foil and let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

Add BROWN RICE WITH PECANS AND APPLES, fresh GREEN BEANS and SOURDOUGH BREAD. For dessert, FRESH RASPBERRIES with light whipped cream are perfect.

Plan

If time permits, prepare brown rice the day before.

Shopping List

boneless pork loin roast, cooking spray, honey, Dijon mustard, whole black peppercorns, dried thyme, coarse salt, canola oil, onion, sliced fresh mushrooms, brown rice, fat-free chicken broth, red apple, pecans, poultry seasoning, fresh green beans, sourdough bread, fresh raspberries, light whipped cream.

BROWN RICE WITH PECANS AND APPLES

Servings: Makes 8 servings

Prep time: about 10 minutes

Cook time: about 30 minutes, plus rice; standing time: 5 minutes

  • 1 teaspoon canola oil
  • 1 cup onion, chopped
  • 1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 cups brown rice, cooked
  • 1/4 cup fat-free chicken broth
  • 1 small red apple, cored and chopped
  • 3 tablespoons chopped pecans
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high. Add onion and mushrooms and cook 3 minutes or until onion is golden. To a 3-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray, add onion mixture, cooked rice, broth, apple, pecans and poultry seasoning; mix well. Cover and bake 30 minutes or until hot. Remove from oven, let stand 5 minutes and fluff with fork.

Per serving: 125 calories, 3 grams protein, 3 grams fat (23 percent calories from fat), 0.4 gram saturated fat, 22 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 32 milligrams sodium, 3 grams fiber.


Monday: Kids

Make DELI DOGS for the kids. Combine 1/2 cup chopped tomato, 1/4 cup chopped banana peppers and 1 (2 1/4-ounce) can drained sliced black olives. Spoon mixture over heated hot dogs on whole-grain buns and spread with mustard.

Serve with CORN-ON-THE-COB and fresh BABY CARROTS. The kids will like WATERMELON SLICES for dessert.

Tip

Make DELI DOGS for the kids. Combine 1/2 cup chopped tomato, 1/4 cup chopped banana peppers and 1 (2 1/4-ounce) can drained sliced black olives. Spoon mixture over heated hot dogs on whole-grain buns and spread with mustard.

Serve with CORN-ON-THE-COB and fresh BABY CARROTS. The kids will like WATERMELON SLICES for dessert.

Shopping List

tomato, banana peppers, canned sliced black olives, hot dogs, whole-grain hot dog buns, mustard, corn-on-the-cob, fresh baby carrots, watermelon.


Tuesday: Budget

Save a few bucks with FOUR-BEAN BAKE. Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a 3-quart baking dish, mix together 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can rinsed reduced-sodium black beans, 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can rinsed reduced-sodium pinto beans, 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can rinsed reduced-sodium red kidney beans, 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can rinsed reduced-sodium small red beans, 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce, 6 slices cooked crumbled bacon, 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles, 1 cup finely chopped onion and 1 tablespoon ground cumin. Cover and bake 30 minutes or until bubbly. Uncover and top with 4 ounces shredded 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese and 1 cup broken baked corn chips. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese melts.

Serve over RICE and add deli COLESLAW and CORNBREAD (from a mix) on the side. FRESH PEACHES are your dessert.

Plan

Save enough Bean Bake and cook enough rice for Wednesday.

Shopping List

canned reduced-sodium black beans, canned reduced-sodium pinto beans, canned reduced-sodium red kidney beans, canned reduced-sodium small red beans, canned no-salt-added tomato sauce, bacon, canned chopped green chiles, onion, cumin, 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese, baked corn chips, rice, deli coleslaw, cornbread mix, fresh peaches.


Wednesday: Heat and Eat

Dinner will be quick tonight with TACOS on the menu. Spoon the heated leftover Bean Bake into heated taco shells. Add leftover RICE and top with salsa. Scoop fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM onto CANTALOUPE SLICES for dessert.

Shopping List

taco shells, salsa, fat-free vanilla ice cream, cantaloupe.


Thursday: Express

No one will complain about SALAD BAR PIZZA tonight. Top any hot pizza (frozen) with chopped romaine, sliced olives, sliced fresh carrots, chopped green onions and tomatoes. Drizzle a light vinaigrette over top and add coarse salt and pepper to taste. Slice and serve. For dessert, introduce the family to DRAGON FRUIT and add ALMOND COOKIES.

Tip

No one will complain about SALAD BAR PIZZA tonight. Top any hot pizza (frozen) with chopped romaine, sliced olives, sliced fresh carrots, chopped green onions and tomatoes. Drizzle a light vinaigrette over top and add coarse salt and pepper to taste. Slice and serve. For dessert, introduce the family to DRAGON FRUIT and add ALMOND COOKIES.

Shopping List

any frozen pizza, romaine, sliced olives, carrots, green onions, tomatoes, light vinaigrette, coarse salt, pepper, dragon fruit, almond cookies.


Friday: Meatless

We're always in the mood for MUSHROOM BURGERS. For each serving, brush the cap of a stemmed portobello mushroom with olive oil and season with coarse salt and pepper. Grill or broil 3 to 4 minutes per side. Serve on a toasted whole-grain bun with LETTUCE, TOMATOES, ROASTED RED PEPPERS and MAYONNAISE (low-fat).

Add SWEET POTATO FRIES (frozen) on the side. Enjoy NECTARINES for dessert.

Shopping List

portobello mushrooms, olive oil, coarse salt, pepper, whole-grain hamburger buns, lettuce, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, low-fat mayonnaise, frozen sweet potato fries, nectarines.


Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Invite guests for GRILLED ORANGE-GARLIC SHRIMP SKEWERS. On the side, make your own ROSEMARY-ROASTED RED POTATOES. Serve with BROCCOLI. Add a BOSTON LETTUCE SALAD and CRUSTY ROLLS. Cool down with MOCHA-HAZELNUT GRANITA for dessert.

Shopping List

U-10-size shrimp, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, flatleaf parsley, orange, coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, green bell pepper, rosemary, red potatoes, broccoli, Boston lettuce, crusty rolls, chocolate-hazelnut spread (such as Nutella), sugar, instant coffee granules.

GRILLED ORANGE-GARLIC SHRIMP SKEWERS

Servings: Makes 4 skewers

Prep time: 20 minutes; marinating time: 3 hours

Cook time: 6 minutes

  • 16 (U-10 size) shrimp (10 per pound without heads, unpeeled)
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped flatleaf parsley
  • 1 orange, zested, then sliced and quartered into wedges
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

Peel and devein shrimp. Place oil, garlic, parsley, orange zest, salt and pepper into a resealable plastic bag; massage the bag with your hands to combine ingredients. Add shrimp; seal and toss to coat. Chill 3 hours.

When ready to grill, skewer (metal) one end of 1 shrimp, then 1 orange wedge, then the other end of the shrimp (so orange wedge is between tail and head of shrimp). Then skewer a piece of bell pepper, then another shrimp and orange wedge; repeat process with remaining shrimp, orange wedges and bell pepper pieces, so there are 4 shrimp on each skewer. Lay finished skewers on a plate and drizzle with marinade in bag. Heat grill to medium; grill 3 minutes per side or until shrimp are pink and opaque. (Adapted from "Gale Gand's Lunch!" by Gale Gand; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014.)

Per skewer: 194 calories, 22 grams protein, 8 grams fat (39 percent calories from fat), 1.1 grams saturated fat, 8 grams carbohydrate, 192 milligrams cholesterol, 463 milligrams sodium, 2 grams fiber.

MOCHA-HAZELNUT GRANITA

Servings: Makes 8 servings

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 4 hours

  • 3 1/4 cups water
  • 3/4 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (such as Nutella)
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup instant coffee granules

In a medium pan, bring water to boil. Add spread, sugar and coffee granules, remove from heat and stir with a whisk until spread melts and sugar and coffee dissolve. Pour into an 8- or 9-inch-square metal pan. Freeze at least 4 hours, stirring frozen edges into center of pan with rubber spatula every 30 minutes until entire mixture is frozen hard. To serve, scrape surface with a large metal spoon and mound into serving dishes.

Per serving: 192 calories, 2 grams protein, 7 grams fat (30 percent calories from fat), 1 gram saturated fat, 33 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 14 milligrams sodium, 1 gram fiber.

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