Sunday: Family

Celebrate Easter in a delicious way with APRICOT-GLAZED HAM.

Add POTATO SALAD with kefir, a recipe shared by Nancy Waldeck, an Atlanta chef and "partyologist." Cook 2 pounds fingerling potatoes, halved or quartered, 10 to 15 minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or kefir, 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice. Season with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. (Add more lemon if desired.) Add warm potatoes to bowl and gently stir in 1/2 cup minced red onion, 1 cup minced celery and 1/2 cup chopped stuffed green olives. Stir gently, coating potatoes. Let stand 1 hour before serving; garnish with more fresh dill.

Serve with GREEN PEAS (frozen), a ROMAINE SALAD and DINNER ROLLS. Buy a COCONUT CAKE for dessert and decorate the top with jelly beans.

Tip

Kefir is a fermented milk drink made with kefir "grains" (a yeast/bacterial fermentation starter). Health benefits include vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, vitamin K2, biotin, folate, enzymes and probiotics.

Plan

Save enough ham, potato salad and cake for Monday.

Shopping List

fully cooked boneless ham, brown sugar, cornstarch, nutmeg, ground cloves, apricot nectar, lemons, crab apples if desired, fingerling potatoes, plain Greek yogurt or kefir, fresh dill, coarse salt, pepper, red onion, celery, stuffed green olives, frozen green peas, romaine, dinner rolls, coconut cake, jelly beans.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Turn the leftover ham into HOT HAM AND PEPPER CHEESE HOAGIES. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread inside surfaces of 4 hoagie buns (sliced lengthwise) with spicy brown mustard and low-fat mayonnaise. Layer leftover sliced ham and sliced pepper jack cheese on bottom half of buns; top with shredded lettuce and sliced tomato. Top with remaining bun half; wrap hoagies in foil and heat 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serve with leftover POTATO SALAD and SLICED CUCUMBERS. Slice the leftover CAKE for dessert.

Shopping List

hoagie buns, spicy brown mustard, low-fat mayonnaise, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers.

Tuesday: Budget

Economical and easy to prepare, SAUSAGE AND SPANISH RICE SKILLET is full of flavor. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon canola oil on medium-high. Add 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper, 1/3 cup chopped celery and 1/4 cup chopped onion; cook 5 minutes or until softened. Add 1 (14-ounce) package fully cooked smoked sausage (sliced), 2 cups water, 1 (10-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes and green chilies (undrained), 1 (8-ounce) package Spanish rice and vermicelli mix, 1/4 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed olives and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper; mix well. Bring to boil; reduce heat to low and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally.

Serve with MIXED GREENS and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For dessert, TROPICAL FRUIT is light.

Plan

Prepare Wednesday's lasagna tonight.

Shopping List

canola oil, green bell pepper, celery, onion, packaged fully cooked smoked sausage, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes and green chilies, packaged Spanish rice and vermicelli mix, sliced pimiento-stuffed olives, black pepper, mixed greens, whole-grain rolls, tropical fruit.

Wednesday: Meatless

Skip meat without missing it in this TEX-MEX LASAGNA. Serve with a LETTUCE WEDGE and GARLIC BREAD. Make instant VANILLA PUDDING with 1 percent milk for dessert. Drizzle with butterscotch topping.

Shopping List

jar of any red spaghetti sauce, canned reduced-sodium pinto beans, frozen shoepeg corn, packet less-sodium Tex-Mex or regular chili seasoning mix, cooking spray, lasagna noodles, part-skim ricotta cheese, reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, pickled jalapeno peppers (if desired), lettuce, garlic bread, instant vanilla pudding, 1 percent milk, butterscotch topping.

Thursday: Kids

Treat the kids to BEEF 'N' BISCUITS tonight. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Heat a large nonstick skillet on medium; add 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef, 1/2 cup chopped celery and 1/2 cup chopped onion. Cook 10 minutes or until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are softened; drain. Stir in 2 tablespoons flour, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano until blended. Add 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce and 1 (10-ounce) package frozen green peas; simmer 5 minutes. Transfer into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (from 7 1/2-ounce tube). Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded 50 percent light cheddar cheese. Bake 20 to 30 minutes, or until biscuits are golden.

Serve with BABY CARROTS. For dessert, try fresh PINEAPPLE SPEARS.

Shopping List

lean ground beef, celery, onion, flour, coarse salt, dried oregano, canned no-salt-added tomato sauce, frozen green peas, cooking spray, tube refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, 50 percent light cheddar cheese, baby carrots, fresh pineapple spears.

Friday: Express

Stop at the deli for TUNA SALAD. Arrange it on a platter over lettuce, sprinkle with toasted slivered almonds and add some TOMATO WEDGES and PICKLES on the side. Serve with BEAN SOUP and WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. Munch on CHOCOLATE WAFER COOKIES and RED AND GREEN GRAPES for dessert.

Plan

Save enough cookies for Saturday.

Shopping List

deli tuna salad, lettuce, slivered almonds, tomatoes, pickles, bean soup, whole-grain bread, chocolate wafer cookies, red and green grapes.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Everyone wanted seconds of CHICKEN SAUTE WITH CREAMY MUSTARD SAUCE. Serve it with POPPY SEED NOODLES (no-yolk), STEAMED FRESH ZUCCHINI and SOURDOUGH ROLLS. For dessert, PEACH SORBET with leftover CHOCOLATE WAFER COOKIES is simple.

Tip

Toss cooked noodles with a little olive oil and poppy seeds.

Shopping List

canola oil, flour, coarse salt, pepper, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, reduced-fat sour cream, unsalted chicken broth, Dijon mustard, low-fat mayonnaise, fresh dill, poppy seeds, olive oil, no-yolk noodles, fresh zucchini, sourdough rolls, peach sorbet.

Sunday: Family

Make family day special with STEAK WITH SPICY BALSAMIC GLAZE for dinner. Serve the tender beef and glaze with BROWN RICE and a SPINACH SALAD, garnished with SLICED PEACHES, and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS on the side. Buy a LEMON MERINGUE PIE for dessert.

Plan

Save enough pie for Tuesday.

Shopping List

boneless beef top sirloin steak, apple cider, less-sodium Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, crushed red pepper, cooking spray, coarse salt, black pepper, honey, brown rice, fresh spinach, peaches, whole-grain rolls, lemon meringue pie.

Monday: Kids

Calcium-rich PIZZA SQUARES are the star attraction for the kids tonight. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Press 1 (13.5-ounce) can refrigerated pizza dough into a 10-by-15-inch jellyroll pan. Bake 12 minutes; remove from oven and spread with 1 cup reduced-fat ricotta cheese. Top with 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, 2 ounces sliced turkey pepperoni, 2 sliced plum tomatoes, 1 small sliced yellow bell pepper and 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Return to oven and bake 6 more minutes or until cheese melts. Cut into 10 squares and serve.

Add a CARROT SALAD on the side and serve PEARS for dessert.

Shopping List

canned refrigerated pizza dough, reduced-fat ricotta cheese, shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, turkey pepperoni, plum tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, dried oregano, carrot salad, pears.

Tuesday: Meatless

We didn't miss the meat with all the flavor in these HUEVOS RANCHEROS. In a 10-inch nonstick skillet, mix 2 (15- to 19-ounce) cans rinsed reduced-sodium black beans, 1 1/2 cups mild or medium salsa and 1/3 cup water. Heat to boiling on medium-high, stirring frequently. Break 1 egg into a custard cup and slip into skillet on top of bean mixture; repeat immediately with 3 more eggs. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 5 minutes or until eggs are cooked to desired firmness. To serve: Sprinkle bean mixture and eggs with shredded 50 percent light pepper jack cheese and chopped fresh cilantro.

Serve with warm corn TORTILLAS and SLICED AVOCADO on shredded lettuce. Enjoy leftover PIE for dessert.

Shopping List

canned reduced-sodium black beans, mild or medium salsa, eggs, 50 percent light pepper jack cheese, fresh cilantro, corn tortillas, avocado, lettuce.

Wednesday: Express

Make a quick meal tonight of EMPANADAS (frozen) and SPANISH RICE (packaged), along with packaged SALAD GREENS. Keep dessert simple with PLUMS.

Shopping List

frozen empanadas, packaged Spanish rice, packaged salad greens, plums.

Thursday: Budget

Here's another really good TURKEY CHILI to add to your collection of favorites. Serve with a ROMAINE SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. KIWIFRUIT is good for dessert.

Plan

Save enough chili for Friday.

Shopping List

canola oil, onion, roasted minced garlic, ground turkey breast, 30 percent less-sodium chili seasoning mix or Tex-Mex flavor, canned chili beans, no-salt-added diced tomatoes and green chilies (mild or original), no-salt-added tomato sauce, romaine, whole-grain rolls, kiwifruit.

Friday: Heat and Eat

Chili always tastes best to me the next night, so leftover CHILI goes well over split and toasted CORNBREAD MUFFINS (from a mix). Serve with a RED-TIPPED LETTUCE SALAD. Try PEACHES for dessert.

Shopping List

cornbread mix, red-tipped lettuce, peaches.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

JAMBALAYA is a company-friendly dish. Serve it with MIXED GREENS and a BAGUETTE. For dessert, BREAD PUDDING (buy or make), topped with your own BOURBON SAUCE, will be divine.

Shopping List

olive oil, onion, celery, tomato paste, dried basil, cayenne pepper, garlic, bay leaf, canned no-salt-added stewed tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, andouille sausage, jarred diced pimientos, rice, uncooked medium shrimp, mixed salad greens, baguette, homemade or store-bought bread pudding, bourbon sauce.

Sunday: Family

Serve the family your own ROAST CHICKEN with BROWN RICE AND GRAVY today. Alongside, try delicious ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE AU GRATIN, fresh BROCCOLI SPEARS and DINNER ROLLS. For dessert, buy a BLUEBERRY CRISP (frozen).

Plan

Save enough chicken, rice, gravy, zucchini casserole and crisp for Monday.

Shopping List

chicken to roast, brown rice, gravy, cooking spray, eggs, garlic, Dijon mustard, fresh basil, coarse salt, black pepper, reduced-fat cottage cheese, reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, zucchini, fresh broccoli spears, dinner rolls, frozen blueberry crisp.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Make OPEN-FACE CHICKEN SANDWICHES for a quick meal. Place slices of leftover chicken over dense white bread and cover with hot GRAVY. Add the leftover RICE and ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE along with a SPINACH SALAD on the side. The leftover CRISP is dessert.

Shopping List

dense white bread, fresh spinach.

Tuesday: Kids

This BAKED ZITI-BEEF CASSEROLE is just right for the kids. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Coat an 8-by-8-by-2-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Meanwhile, cook 8 ounces ziti pasta according to directions; drain and set aside. In a large nonstick skillet, cook 1/2 pound lean ground beef and 1 small chopped sweet onion (such as Vidalia or another variety) on medium for 6 minutes or until beef is no longer pink; drain. Add 1 chopped medium zucchini and cook 2 minutes. Stir in 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce, 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, and coarse salt and pepper to taste. Heat to boiling. Toss with cooked pasta. Spoon into baking dish; cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with 3/4 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, 5 more minutes or until cheese melts.

Serve with CELERY STICKS and DIP, along with SOFT ROLLS. APPLE SLICES are good for dessert.

Shopping List

cooking spray, ziti pasta, lean ground beef, sweet onion (such as Vidalia or another variety), zucchini, canned no-salt-added tomato sauce, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes, dried oregano, coarse salt, pepper, part-skim mozzarella, celery sticks, dip, soft rolls, apple slices.

Wednesday: Meatless

Enjoy the Indian spices in CHICKPEA STEW. Serve the aromatic combo over BASMATI RICE. Add a LETTUCE WEDGE and FLATBREAD. For dessert, APRICOTS are easy.

Shopping List

olive oil, onion, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes, sugar, curry powder, coarse salt, turmeric, cayenne pepper, canned reduced-sodium chickpeas (garbanzo beans), garam masala, fresh cilantro, basmati rice, lettuce, flatbread, apricots.

Thursday: Budget

Pasta is a low-cost meal and easy to prepare, as is this SPAGHETTI WITH PARSLEY AND CHEESE. Cook 8 ounces spaghetti according to directions; drain.

Meanwhile, combine 5 minced garlic cloves and 1/3 cup chopped fresh flatleaf parsley. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high for 1 minute. Add the parsley-garlic mixture; stir well to combine with the oil and remove skillet from heat. Add cooked pasta to skillet and toss well to coat. Add 1/4 cup freshly grated Romano cheese and coarse salt and pepper to taste. Toss to coat.

Serve with a ROMAINE SALAD and GARLIC BREAD. Fresh PINEAPPLE is a simple dessert.

Shopping List

spaghetti, garlic, fresh flatleaf parsley, olive oil, Romano cheese, coarse salt, pepper, romaine, garlic bread, fresh pineapple.

Friday: Express

Make it quick tonight with SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN MELTS. In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 package (8 to 10 ounces) Southwestern-style cooked sliced chicken breast (such as Perdue's or another brand), 1/4 cup salsa and 2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise. Spoon mixture onto 4 (6-ounce) corn tortillas; top each with 2 slices tomato and 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Broil 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serve with canned CHILI BEANS and GUACAMOLE. Make instant BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING with 1 percent milk for dessert.

Shopping List

packaged Southwestern-style cooked sliced chicken breast (such as Perdue's or another brand), salsa, low-fat mayonnaise, corn tortillas, tomatoes, Monterey Jack cheese, canned chili beans, guacamole, instant butterscotch pudding, 1 percent milk.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Tonight, serve your guests HONEY AND SPICE-GLAZED PORK CHOPS, along with MASHED SWEET POTATOES (fresh or refrigerated) and FRESH SNOW PEAS. Add a BIBB LETTUCE SALAD and BAGUETTES. Buy FRUIT TARTS for dessert.

Shopping List

honey, Dijon mustard, ground ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, cooking spray, boneless center-cut loin pork chops, coarse salt, pepper, sweet potatoes to mash or refrigerated, fresh snow peas, bibb lettuce, baguettes, fruit tarts.