Sunday: Family

Fire up the grill today for your own GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS.

Serve the easy entree with MEDITERRANEAN COUSCOUS WITH RAISINS AND FETA. Heat 3 cups unsalted chicken broth to boiling in a 3-quart pot. Stir in 2 cups couscous, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 small chopped tomato and 1 (15-ounce) can rinsed reduced-sodium garbanzo beans; remove from heat. Cover and let stand 5 minutes; fluff with fork. Sprinkle each serving with reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese.

Add STEAMED FRESH CAULIFLOWER and FLATBREAD on the side. Make or buy BANANA CREAM PIE for dessert.

Plan

Grill enough chicken and save enough couscous and pie for Monday.

Shopping List

boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, unsalted chicken broth, couscous, raisins, black pepper, cayenne pepper, tomato, canned reduced-sodium garbanzo beans, reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese, fresh cauliflower, flatbread, banana cream pie.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Make a favorite, CHICKEN CLUB SANDWICHES, with leftover chicken. Toast 8 slices whole-grain bread and spread one side with low-fat mayonnaise. Layer 4 slices toast with lettuce, sliced leftover chicken, sliced tomato and cooked bacon slices. Top with remaining toast; secure with wooden picks and cut into triangles.

Serve with leftover COUSCOUS. Slice the leftover PIE for dessert.

Shopping List

whole-grain bread, low-fat mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, bacon.

Tuesday: Budget

Make dinner low-cost with SOUTHWESTERN "STROGANOFF." Cook 1 pound lean ground beef in a large nonstick skillet on medium about 6 minutes or until no longer pink; drain well. Return beef to skillet; add 1 cup water, 2 cups chunky salsa, 2 cups wagon wheel (or spiral) pasta and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Bring to boil; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir in 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream.

Serve with a MIXED GREENS SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For dessert, FRESH PINEAPPLE SPEARS are good.

Shopping List

lean ground beef, chunky salsa, wagon wheel or spiral pasta, coarse salt, reduced-fat sour cream, salad greens, whole-grain rolls, fresh pineapple spears.

Wednesday: Kids

The kids will like this CHILI without any "yucky stuff." Cook 1 pound lean ground beef in a 3-quart pot about 6 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain well and return to pot. Stir in 2 (15-ounce) cans rinsed reduced-sodium pinto beans, 2 (10 3/4-ounce) cans condensed tomato soup, 2 soup cans water, 2 tablespoons instant minced onion and 2 teaspoons chili powder. Heat to boiling and serve. Top with FISH-SHAPED CRACKERS.

Serve with deli CARROT SALAD and BREAD STICKS. The kids can help prepare FRUITY SUNDAES for dessert. Mix sliced bananas, halved seedless grapes and frozen strawberries (thawed) in syrup. Spoon into small bowls. Top with light whipped cream.

Plan

Save enough chili for Thursday.

Shopping List

lean ground beef, canned reduced-sodium pinto beans, canned condensed tomato soup, instant minced onion, chili powder, fish-shaped crackers, deli carrot salad, bread sticks, bananas, seedless grapes, frozen strawberries in syrup, light whipped cream.

Thursday: Express

CHILI-TOPPED HASH-BROWNED POTATOES will be on the table in no time. Prepare 1 (26-ounce) package frozen hash-browned potatoes according to directions.

Meanwhile, heat leftover chili until hot. Spoon chili over potatoes and sprinkle with shredded 50 percent reduced-fat jalapeno cheese.

On the side, add a packaged GREEN SALAD and CORN MUFFINS from the bakery. Fresh TROPICAL FRUIT is an easy dessert.

Shopping List

frozen hash-browned potatoes, 50 percent reduced-fat jalapeno cheese, packaged green salad, corn muffins, fresh tropical fruit.

Friday: Meatless

Make breakfast into dinner with BAKED EGGS WITH CHEESY POLENTA. Serve the egg dish with a SPINACH SALAD and CRUSTY BREAD. For dessert, ORANGE SHERBET is light.

Shopping List

cooking spray, unsalted vegetable broth, polenta or coarsely ground yellow cornmeal, 50 percent reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, reduced-fat sour cream, coarse salt, pepper, no-salt-added marinara sauce, eggs, Tuscan cheddar, tomato basil cheddar or sharp cheddar, fresh basil, fresh spinach, crusty bread, orange sherbet.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Splurge tonight and serve your lucky guests BEEF MEDALLIONS IN PORTOBELLO WINE SAUCE. Serve with your GARLIC MASHED POTATOES and FRESH BROCCOLI FLORETS. Add a MIXED GREENS SALAD and SOURDOUGH ROLLS. CHILLED LEMON DESSERT ends your fine meal.

Shopping List

unsalted chicken broth, Madeira or port wine, dried thyme, black pepper, garlic powder, portobello mushrooms, butter, beef tenderloin steaks, onion, flour, coarse salt, garlic mashed potatoes, fresh broccoli florets, salad greens, sourdough rolls, refrigerated piecrust, lemon pudding and pie filling mix (not instant), sugar, eggs, reduced-fat cream cheese, miniature marshmallows, frozen reduced-fat whipped topping.

Sunday: Family

Present delicious CINNAMON-PINEAPPLE PORK for today's family meal. Accompany it with RICE.

This JICAMA-ORANGE SALAD WITH LIME is just the right flavor to go alongside. Peel 1 medium jicama (about 1 pound), then halve and slice 1/4-inch thick; cut slices in half diagonally. In a large bowl, toss jicama with 2 small cucumbers (peeled, halved, seeded and sliced), 3 oranges (peeled, sliced, seeded and halved), 8 radishes (thinly sliced) and 1/3 cup fresh lime juice. Season to taste with coarse salt. Arrange on a serving platter and sprinkle with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chili powder and 1/3 cup chopped cilantro leaves.

Add DINNER ROLLS. For dessert, spoon fresh STRAWBERRIES over fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM.

Plan

Buy enough strawberries and save half the salad for Monday; save enough ice cream for Monday and Saturday.

Shopping List

pork tenderloin, coarse salt, butter, red bell pepper, canned pineapple chunks in natural juice, dry white wine, fresh ginger, fresh jalapeno pepper, cinnamon, cilantro, jicama, cucumbers, oranges, radishes, limes, chili powder, dinner rolls, strawberries, fat-free vanilla ice cream.

Monday: Easy Entertaining

Invite friends for a Memorial Day celebration and serve MESQUITE BEEF SKEWERS. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine 2/3 cup mesquite marinade with lime juice (such as Lawry's or another brand) and 1 pound trimmed top sirloin steak cut into chunks; seal and turn to coat. Marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes; remove steak and discard marinade.

Meanwhile, core, seed and cut 1 green bell pepper into 1-inch pieces and cut 1 red onion into chunks. Alternately thread steak, bell pepper, onion and 16 whole fresh mushrooms on 8 (12-inch) skewers. Grill or broil 8 to 10 minutes, turning once and basting often with an additional 1/3 cup marinade.

Serve with deli POTATO SALAD and leftover JICAMA SALAD. Add SOURDOUGH ROLLS. For dessert, get in the spirit of the day with THREE-BERRY PIE with leftover ICE CREAM.

Tip

Invite friends for a Memorial Day celebration and serve MESQUITE BEEF SKEWERS. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine 2/3 cup mesquite marinade with lime juice (such as Lawry's or another brand) and 1 pound trimmed top sirloin steak cut into chunks; seal and turn to coat. Marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes; remove steak and discard marinade.

Meanwhile, core, seed and cut 1 green bell pepper into 1-inch pieces and cut 1 red onion into chunks. Alternately thread steak, bell pepper, onion and 16 whole fresh mushrooms on 8 (12-inch) skewers. Grill or broil 8 to 10 minutes, turning once and basting often with an additional 1/3 cup marinade.

Serve with deli POTATO SALAD and leftover JICAMA SALAD. Add SOURDOUGH ROLLS. For dessert, get in the spirit of the day with THREE-BERRY PIE with leftover ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save beef from 2 skewers and enough pie for Tuesday.

Shopping List

mesquite marinade with lime juice (such as Lawry's or another brand), top sirloin steak, green bell pepper, red onion, whole fresh mushrooms, deli potato salad, sourdough rolls, refrigerated piecrusts, sugar, cornstarch, quick-cooking tapioca, salt (not coarse salt), fresh or frozen blackberries, raspberries and blueberries, any milk.

Tuesday: Heat and Eat

Make a STEAK SALAD tonight using leftover beef. Chop the meat into bite-size pieces and toss with a packaged green salad, 1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms, 1/2 cup halved grape tomatoes and a reduced-fat vinaigrette. Serve with CRUSTY BREAD and leftover PIE.

Shopping List

packaged green salad, fresh sliced mushrooms, grape tomatoes, reduced-fat vinaigrette, crusty bread.

Wednesday: Meatless

PEPPERS AND PASTA are on the menu tonight. Cook 12 ounces rotini pasta according to directions; drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.

Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil on medium. Add 2 red bell peppers (cut into thin strips), 2 yellow bell peppers (cut into thin strips), 2 orange bell peppers (cut into thin strips), 1 medium chopped onion, 1 cup shredded carrots, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; cook vegetables, stirring several times, 20 minutes or until softened. Stir in 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach leaves, 4 ounces reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese and 1/4 cup reserved hot pasta water; toss 1 or 2 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Add rotini to sauce and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Accompany the tricolored pepper combo with DRESSY CUCUMBERS. In a large bowl, combine 3 cucumbers (peeled, seeded and sliced) and 1/3 cup onion (finely chopped); toss with 2 tablespoons reduced-fat vinaigrette. Add GARLIC BREAD. Serve CANTALOUPE WEDGES for dessert.

Shopping List

rotini pasta, olive oil, red, yellow and orange bell peppers, onions, shredded carrots, coarse salt, black pepper, packaged baby spinach leaves, reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese, cucumbers, reduced-fat vinaigrette, garlic bread, cantaloupe.

Thursday: Kids

The kids always come running for CHICKEN FINGERS. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Cut 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts into chunks. In a large bowl, beat 2 egg whites, 1/4 cup skim milk and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together; soak the chicken in the egg mixture 5 minutes. Open the corners of 2 (6-ounce) bags baked potato chips and crush chips with a rolling pin (or whatever you have) as fine as possible. Pour chips into a shallow baking dish and turn the chicken (discard milk) in the chips until well-coated. Place on cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes; turn and bake 5 more minutes or until cooked through. Serve with ranch dressing or any other dipping sauce.

Add MASHED POTATOES and frozen GREEN PEAS for a pretty plate. Add WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For a drippy dessert, let the kids slurp on their favorite Popsicles.

Shopping List

cooking spray, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, eggs, skim milk, pepper, baked potato chips, ranch dressing or another dipping sauce, mashed potatoes, frozen green peas, whole-grain rolls, Popsicles.

Friday: Budget

Stretch a buck and make SAUSAGE GUMBO for dinner. Heat 2 teaspoons canola oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high. Add 2 chopped green bell peppers and 1 medium chopped onion and cook 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Stir in 1 1/2 cups water, 1 cup long-grain rice, 1 teaspoon dried thyme and 1 teaspoon coarse salt. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped kale (thawed), 1 (10-ounce) package frozen cut okra (thawed), 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can chopped undrained stewed tomatoes and 7 or 8 ounces reduced-fat kielbasa (sliced and halved). Return to simmer, cover, and cook 10 more minutes or until rice is tender. Ladle into bowls and serve.

Add a MIXED GREENS SALAD and CRUSTY ROLLS. Serve PEARS for dessert.

Shopping List

canola oil, green bell peppers, onion, long-grain rice, dried thyme, coarse salt, frozen chopped kale, frozen cut okra, canned stewed tomatoes, reduced-fat kielbasa, salad greens, crusty rolls, pears.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Invite guests for SHRIMP AND VEGETABLE SOUP WITH TARRAGON. Spoon over NOODLES. Add a BOSTON LETTUCE SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS.

Serve an oxymoron for dessert: SNOWBALLS IN SUMMER. Scoop leftover vanilla ice cream into balls; roll in toasted sweetened flaked coconut. Store airtight in freezer. To serve, drizzle dessert plates with caramel syrup, add a snowball, and top each one with crushed chocolate chips.

Shopping List

butter, sliced fresh mushrooms, zucchini, green onions, parsley, unsalted chicken broth, dry white wine, coarse salt, dried tarragon, pepper, small shrimp, noodles, Boston lettuce, whole-grain rolls, sweetened flaked coconut, caramel syrup, chocolate chips.

Sunday: Family

Let your slow cooker do the work and prepare BARBECUE EYE OF ROUND for the family today. In a 4-quart or larger slow cooker, place a 3- to 5-pound eye of round (halved). Mix together 2 cups barbecue sauce, 2 cups water and 2 large thinly sliced sweet onions; pour over meat. Cook on low 7 hours; remove roast. Cool slightly, slice and serve with barbecue sauce.

TEXAS TWO-STEP BLACK-EYED PEA SALAD slides right onto the plate. Mix together 3 cups cooked brown rice, 1 (15-ounce) can rinsed reduced-sodium black-eyed peas, 1 (11-ounce) can rinsed no-salt-added corn, 1 peeled, pitted and diced avocado, 1 cup salsa, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup sliced red onion, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and coarse salt and pepper to taste.

Add a MIXED GREENS SALAD and CRUSTY BREAD. RASPBERRY-CHOCOLATE CREAM is a luscious dessert. Divide half of 1 (8-ounce) container frozen (thawed) whipped topping among 4 dessert dishes. Layer each with 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup and 1/4 cup fresh raspberries; repeat layers once more and serve.

Tip

Let your slow cooker do the work and prepare BARBECUE EYE OF ROUND for the family today. In a 4-quart or larger slow cooker, place a 3- to 5-pound eye of round (halved). Mix together 2 cups barbecue sauce, 2 cups water and 2 large thinly sliced sweet onions; pour over meat. Cook on low 7 hours; remove roast. Cool slightly, slice and serve with barbecue sauce.

TEXAS TWO-STEP BLACK-EYED PEA SALAD slides right onto the plate. Mix together 3 cups cooked brown rice, 1 (15-ounce) can rinsed reduced-sodium black-eyed peas, 1 (11-ounce) can rinsed no-salt-added corn, 1 peeled, pitted and diced avocado, 1 cup salsa, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup sliced red onion, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and coarse salt and pepper to taste.

Add a MIXED GREENS SALAD and CRUSTY BREAD. RASPBERRY-CHOCOLATE CREAM is a luscious dessert. Divide half of 1 (8-ounce) container frozen (thawed) whipped topping among 4 dessert dishes. Layer each with 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup and 1/4 cup fresh raspberries; repeat layers once more and serve.

Plan

Save enough barbecue beef, black-eyed pea salad and raspberries for Monday.

Shopping List

eye of round, barbecue sauce, sweet onions, brown rice, canned reduced-sodium black-eyed peas, canned no-salt-added corn, avocado, salsa, fresh cilantro, red onion, limes, coarse salt, pepper, salad greens, crusty bread, frozen whipped topping, chocolate syrup, fresh raspberries.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Dinner is almost ready because you're having (leftover) BARBECUE BEEF on toasted whole-grain hamburger buns and leftover BLACK-EYED PEA SALAD. For dessert, leftover RASPBERRIES topped with light whipped cream are waiting for you.

Shopping List

whole-grain hamburger buns, light whipped cream.

Tuesday: Budget

Make dinner low cost and easy tonight with ITALIAN CHICKEN. Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium until hot; cook 1 pound chicken tenders 2 minutes per side or until browned. Mix together 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can less-sodium, less-fat cream of mushroom soup, 1/3 cup water, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon dried basil and 2 chopped plum tomatoes; add to skillet. Cover and simmer 3 minutes or until heated through. Serve over SPAGHETTI.

Add GREEN BEANS and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Scoop fat-free STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM for dessert.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Thursday.

Shopping List

canola oil, chicken tenders, canned less-sodium, less-fat cream of mushroom soup, fresh parsley, dried basil, plum tomatoes, spaghetti, green beans, whole-grain rolls, fat-free strawberry ice cream.

Wednesday: Express

Get your grass skirt ready for HULA HAM SANDWICHES. Drain 1 (20-ounce) can sliced pineapple. Slice 5 kaiser rolls in half and spread 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard on bottom half. Layer on each bottom: 1 lettuce leaf, 2 slices reduced-fat Swiss cheese, 2 ounces deli sliced smoked ham and 1 drained pineapple slice; cover with top of roll.

Serve with OVEN FRIES (frozen) and a LETTUCE WEDGE SALAD. PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES are your dessert.

Shopping List

canned sliced pineapple, kaiser rolls, Dijon mustard, lettuce, reduced-fat Swiss cheese, deli sliced smoked ham, frozen oven fries, peanut butter cookies.

Thursday: Kids

It's time to teach the kids how to cook RAVIOLI CASSEROLE.

Crumble 1/2 pound lean ground beef and 1/2 cup finely chopped carrots into a 2-quart baking dish. Cover and microwave on high (100 percent power) 4 to 6 minutes or until beef is no longer pink and carrots are tender; drain. Stir in 2 (15-ounce) cans beef ravioli. Cover and microwave 5 to 7 minutes or until hot, stirring after 3 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 cup 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese. Cover and let stand until cheese is melted.

Serve with CELERY STICKS and ITALIAN BREAD. Spoon marshmallow topping over leftover ICE CREAM for dessert.

Shopping List

lean ground beef, carrots, canned beef ravioli, 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese, celery, Italian bread, marshmallow topping.

Friday: Meatless

Skip the meat and enjoy CHUNKY VEGETABLE CHILI. Serve with MIXED GREENS and CORNBREAD (from a mix). PEACHES make dessert easy.

Shopping List

carrots, potatoes, onion, yellow bell pepper, chili powder, cumin, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes, unsalted vegetable broth, canned reduced-sodium garbanzo beans, canned reduced-sodium black beans, canned no-salt-added tomato sauce, zucchini, salad greens, cornbread mix, peaches.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Our guests enjoyed LEMON DIJON AND HERB-GRILLED SALMON served with RICE and SUGAR SNAP PEAS. Add a BOSTON LETTUCE SALAD and BAGUETTES. For dessert, the plates were clean after the WAFER-THIN APPLE PECAN TART and fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM were served.

Shopping List

olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, plain yogurt, Italian parsley, garlic, lemons, cumin, salmon fillets, coarse salt, black pepper, rice, sugar snap peas, Boston lettuce, baguettes, refrigerated piecrust, sugar, cinnamon, Golden Delicious apples, pecans, pure vanilla extract, fat-free vanilla ice cream.