Sunday: Family

Get out the slow cooker and relax with the family while CARAMELIZED ONION POT ROAST heats up. Serve the savory entree with MASHED POTATOES and GREEN BEANS. Add a SPINACH SALAD and CRUSTY BREAD.

For dessert, CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA SWIRL PUDDING has a flavor for everyone. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a large bowl. Stir in 2 cups 1 percent milk and 1/4 cup frozen egg substitute (thawed). Microwave, uncovered, on high (100 percent power) for 5 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes, until mixture thickens and boils. Stir in 1 teaspoon butter and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Stir 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips into 1 cup of the pudding until melted. Alternately layer vanilla and chocolate puddings in parfait glasses or swirl in dessert dishes.

Plan

Save enough pot roast for Monday.

Shopping List

canola oil, boneless chuck (pot) roast, coarse salt, pepper, onions, lower-sodium beef broth, regular or nonalcoholic beer, light brown sugar, Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, potatoes to mash, green beans, fresh spinach, crusty bread, sugar, cornstarch, 1 percent milk, frozen egg substitute, butter, pure vanilla extract, semisweet chocolate chips.

Monday: Heat and Eat

For a great MAMMA MIA SAUCE OVER SPAGHETTI, add 1 to 2 cups chopped leftover beef and onions to a 16-ounce jar of tomato-based pasta sauce; heat and serve over spaghetti, along with MIXED GREENS and GARLIC BREAD. PEARS make a light dessert.

Shopping List

tomato-based pasta sauce, spaghetti, salad greens, garlic bread, pears.

Tuesday: Kids

TURKEY RANCH PIE is kid-friendly. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray. Place 1 1/2 cups chopped cooked turkey (or a 10-ounce can drained chicken breast) and 1 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables in pie plate. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese. In a small bowl, blend 1/2 cup reduced-fat baking mix (such as Bisquick), 1 (1-ounce) envelope ranch dressing mix, 1 cup 1 percent milk and 2 lightly beaten eggs. Spoon over turkey mixture. Bake 33 to 38 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool 5 minutes and serve with CELERY BOATS WITH CREAM CHEESE AND RAISINS and BREAD STICKS. Slurp FUDGSICLES for dessert.

Shopping List

cooking spray, cooked turkey or canned chicken breast, frozen mixed vegetables, 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese, reduced-fat baking mix (such as Bisquick), envelope ranch dressing mix, 1 percent milk, eggs, celery, cream cheese, raisins, bread sticks, Fudgsicles.

Wednesday: Budget

Serve this budget-pleasing CONTEMPORARY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE tonight. Add a SLICED AVOCADO SALAD and SOURDOUGH BREAD. For dessert, FRESH PINEAPPLE is refreshing.

Shopping List

fusilli pasta, jarred or refrigerated reduced-fat Alfredo sauce, unsalted chicken broth or white wine, Italian seasoning, lemon, canned albacore tuna in water, frozen sugar snap peas, jarred whole mushrooms, cooking spray, unseasoned panko crumbs, butter, avocado, lettuce (for salad), sourdough bread, fresh pineapple.

Thursday: Express

You'll have dinner on the table in no time with a SEAPAK (or another brand) SEAFOOD ENTREE. (Do pay attention to the sodium content, as with any frozen entree.) Add FRESH BROCCOLI, a packaged GREEN SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS to round out your meal. PEACHES are a light dessert.

Shopping List

SeaPak or another brand seafood entree, fresh broccoli, packaged salad greens, whole-grain rolls, peaches.

Friday: Meatless

Skip the meat for VEGETABLE "JAMBALAYA" tonight. Just before serving, sprinkle with red pepper sauce to jazz it up. Add a LETTUCE WEDGE and CORN MUFFINS (from a mix). For a simple dessert, PLUMS are a good choice.

Shopping List

canola oil, onion, green bell pepper, garlic, rice, unsalted vegetable broth, frozen corn, less-sodium Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, canned reduced-sodium black-eyed peas, canned no-salt-added stewed tomatoes, red pepper sauce, lettuce, corn muffin mix, plums.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Your guests will welcome HONEY MUSTARD PORK TENDERLOIN for dinner. Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard and 1/4 cup honey; mix well. In baking dish, coat 1 (1- to 1 1/4-pound) pork tenderloin with sauce. Bake 20 to 30 minutes, basting occasionally, until meat thermometer registers 145 degrees. Remove pork from oven, tent with foil and let stand 5 minutes.

Slice and serve with packaged LONG-GRAIN AND WILD RICE, steamed FRESH ZUCCHINI and DINNER ROLLS.

For dessert, BAKED BANANAS WITH COCONUT OVER VANILLA ICE CREAM (fat-free) is delicious. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 10-inch pie plate with cooking spray. Cut 6 medium bananas crosswise in half and then lengthwise in half. Place in pie plate. Dot bananas with 1 tablespoon cut-up butter. Drizzle with 1/3 cup fresh orange juice and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar and 2/3 cup shredded coconut. Bake uncovered 8 to 10 minutes or until coconut is golden. Spoon over ice cream for a double-yum dessert.

Tip

Honey will slide out of the measuring cup more easily if you first coat it with cooking spray.

Shopping List

cider vinegar, light brown sugar, Dijon mustard, honey, pork tenderloin, packaged long-grain and wild rice, fresh zucchini, dinner rolls, cooking spray, bananas, butter, oranges, lemons, shredded coconut, fat-free vanilla ice cream.

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

If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water 45 minutes before using.

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.