Sunday: Family

GRILLED STEAK AND WATERMELON SALAD is perfect for family day. Pair it with BAKED POTATO WEDGES coated with olive oil spray and sprinkled with chili powder and CRUSTY BREAD. Top VANILLA ICE CREAM with TOASTED COCONUT for dessert.

Plan

Prepare enough steak for Monday. Save enough watermelon for Thursday and ice cream for Saturday.

Shopping List

ground coriander, ground cumin, beef tenderloin steaks, baby watermelon, coarse salt, pepper, baby arugula or spinach leaves, reduced-fat balsamic or Italian dressing, cherry tomatoes, red onion, crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese, baking potatoes, olive oil spray, chili powder, crusty bread, vanilla ice cream, coconut.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Make a BEEF STIR-FRY with thinly sliced leftover steak, fresh or frozen stir-fry vegetables and bottled stir-fry sauce. Serve the dish over RICE and add WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS on the side. FRESH CHERRIES are a summertime dessert.

Shopping List

fresh or frozen stir-fry vegetables, bottled stir-fry sauce, rice, whole-grain rolls, fresh cherries.

Tuesday: Meatless

Skip meat for ASIAN BEAN BURGERS. In a medium bowl, mash 3 cups cooked or canned reduced-sodium kidney beans (rinsed) with a fork or potato masher. Stir in 1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs, 1/3 cup minced green onions, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon ground ginger and 1 teaspoon minced garlic. Form into 4 patties. Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium. Cook patties 3 to 4 minutes per side until heated through and crusty. Top with a sauce made of 1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, 1 tablespoon minced green onion and 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce.

Serve on WHOLE-GRAIN BUNS with LETTUCE, TOMATO AND CUCUMBERS. Add OVEN FRIES (frozen). Make BANANA PUDDING with 1 percent milk for dessert.

Shopping List

canned reduced-sodium or cooked kidney beans, plain dry bread crumbs, green onions, egg, low-sodium soy sauce, ground ginger, garlic, canola oil, low-fat mayonnaise, prepared horseradish, whole-grain buns, lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, frozen oven fries, banana pudding, 1 percent milk.

Wednesday: Express

Make your own fast food tonight: Pan-fry a HAM STEAK and serve it with MASHED SWEET POTATOES. Add packaged SALAD GREENS and BISCUITS. Enjoy SLICED APPLES sprinkled with cinnamon for dessert.

Shopping List

ham steak, mashed sweet potatoes, packaged salad greens, biscuits, apples, cinnamon.

Thursday: Budget

Enjoy PORK POSOLE for a low-cost entree. In a 3-quart or larger slow cooker, combine a well-trimmed 2- to 2 1/2-pound boneless pork shoulder (butt) roast (cut into bite-size chunks) with 1 1/2 cups recaito (such as Goya). Mix well. Cover and cook on low 7 to 8 hours. Stir in 2 (15- or 16-ounce) cans rinsed hominy; cover and cook 10 more minutes or until hominy is heated through. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.

Serve with a LETTUCE WEDGE and WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. For dessert, enjoy a slice of leftover WATERMELON.

Tip

Enjoy PORK POSOLE for a low-cost entree. In a 3-quart or larger slow cooker, combine a well-trimmed 2- to 2 1/2-pound boneless pork shoulder (butt) roast (cut into bite-size chunks) with 1 1/2 cups recaito (such as Goya). Mix well. Cover and cook on low 7 to 8 hours. Stir in 2 (15- or 16-ounce) cans rinsed hominy; cover and cook 10 more minutes or until hominy is heated through. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.

Serve with a LETTUCE WEDGE and WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. For dessert, enjoy a slice of leftover WATERMELON.

Shopping List

boneless pork shoulder (butt) roast, recaito (such as Goya), canned hominy, cilantro, lettuce, whole-grain bread.

Friday: Kids

Treat the kids to SPAGHETTI PIE tonight. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook 8 ounces spaghetti according to directions; drain. Coat a 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray. In a large bowl, beat 2 eggs with a fork. Stir in 1 (15-ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese and 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese until blended. Add cooked spaghetti to cheese mixture and stir until well-coated. Transfer mixture to pie plate; top with 1 cup marinara sauce. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese and 2 more tablespoons parmesan. Bake 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes.

Cut into wedges and serve. Add CELERY STICKS and SOFT ROLLS. POPSICLES are a cool dessert.

Shopping List

spaghetti, cooking spray, eggs, part-skim ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, celery, soft rolls, Popsicles.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Invite friends for ANISE-ORANGE SHRIMP AND SCALLOP SKEWERS, a perfect summer feast. Serve the combo with HONEY GINGER DIPPING SAUCE. Mix together 3/4 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sliced green onions and 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger. To the meal, add BLACK-EYED PEAS mixed with chopped red onion and a light balsamic vinaigrette.

Start with your own GAZPACHO. Add SOURDOUGH BREAD. For dessert, make SUMMER FRUIT CRUMBLE and top with leftover VANILLA ICE CREAM. Be careful -- the crumble is addictive.

Shopping List

orange juice, canola oil, anise seeds, garlic powder, coarse salt, ground ginger, pepper, large shrimp, sea scallops, honey, low-sodium soy sauce, green onions, canned black-eyed peas, red onion, light balsamic vinaigrette, your own gazpacho, sourdough bread, fresh peaches or blueberries (or both), sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, pure vanilla extract, butter, packaged yellow cake mix.

Sunday: Family

Dazzle the family with ROMAINE PEPPERCORN-STEAK SALAD. Serve it with ROASTED RED POTATOES and BLISTERED OKRA. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss okra in a little canola oil and place in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with some coarse salt. Roast until blistered, about 15 minutes, turning after 8 minutes. Arrange on a serving plate and sprinkle with more salt if desired.

Add WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. KEY LIME PIE is for dessert.

Plan

Save enough pie for Monday.

Shopping List

romaine, packaged baby arugula, red onion, black peppercorns, lean beef tenderloin steaks, coarse salt, grape tomatoes, light balsamic vinaigrette dressing, crumbled feta cheese, red potatoes to roast, fresh okra, canola oil, whole-grain bread, key lime pie.

Monday: Express

Buy any package of cooked, carved chicken (or prepare your own) and make CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD. Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces and mix with 1 1/2 cups fresh peach chunks, 1/2 cup sliced green onions, 1/2 cup golden raisins, 6 ounces plain low-fat yogurt, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 teaspoon curry powder. Top with toasted walnuts. Spoon onto a bed of MIXED LETTUCE. Add SLICED CUCUMBERS in cider vinegar and NAAN to the meal. Leftover PIE is dessert.

Plan

Prepare enough chicken salad for Tuesday.

Shopping List

packaged cooked, carved chicken or your own chicken, fresh peaches, green onions, golden raisins, plain low-fat yogurt, honey, curry powder, walnuts, mixed lettuce, cucumbers, cider vinegar, naan.

Tuesday: Heat and Eat

Use the leftover curried chicken salad for BAGELWICHES. For one serving: Spread bottom half of a whole-wheat bagel "thin" (such as Thomas' or another brand) with low-fat mayonnaise and layer with lettuce, the leftover chicken salad, 2 slices Swiss cheese, 2 slices tomatoes and 2 red bell pepper rings. Top with remaining bagel half. Serve with VEGGIE CHIPS. Add CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP if desired. Enjoy FRESH PLUMS for dessert.

Shopping List

whole-wheat bagel "thins" (such as Thomas' or another brand), low-fat mayonnaise, lettuce, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, red bell peppers, veggie chips, chicken noodle soup, fresh plums.

Wednesday: Meatless

Change it up with LENTIL PASTA WITH NO-COOK TOMATO SAUCE. Serve with a LETTUCE WEDGE and GARLIC BREAD. Slice CANTALOUPE for dessert.

Tip

Change it up with LENTIL PASTA WITH NO-COOK TOMATO SAUCE. Serve with a LETTUCE WEDGE and GARLIC BREAD. Slice CANTALOUPE for dessert.

Plan

See NOTE with recipe.

Shopping List

tomatoes (heirloom or homegrown are best), garlic, fresh basil, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, coarse salt, pepper, lentil pasta, parmesan if desired, lettuce, garlic bread, cantaloupe.

Thursday: Kids

Treat the kids to TEX-MEX CHICKEN FINGERS. Mix 1 1/2 cups finely crushed baked tortilla chips and 1 teaspoon cumin on wax paper. Beat 1 egg in a shallow bowl with a fork until frothy. Cut 8 chicken tenders (1 pound) in half lengthwise. Dip in egg, then coating. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high. Add chicken; cook 4 minutes, turning as needed, or until golden and cooked through.

Meanwhile, make dipping sauce by mixing 3/4 cup bottled taco sauce, 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro; serve with chicken.

Add MEXICAN RICE (from a mix), SLICED AVOCADOS and CORN TORTILLAS. Enjoy PEACHES for dessert.

Shopping List

baked tortilla chips, cumin, egg, chicken tenders, canola oil, bottled taco sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, fresh cilantro, Mexican rice mix, avocados, corn tortillas, peaches.

Friday: Budget

Keep the food costs down with your own BROILED CATFISH. Serve the fish with MELTED SWISS AND MUSHROOM TOPPER. Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high. Add 8 ounces sliced white button mushrooms, 8 ounces sliced crimini mushrooms, 1 medium chopped onion, 3/4 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, or until lightly browned and moisture evaporates from mushrooms. Transfer to a medium bowl; stir in 1 cup coarsely shredded Swiss or Emmentaler cheese and 1/4 cup pitted sliced kalamata olives. Season to taste with coarse salt, if desired. Spoon over fish.

Add MIXED SALAD GREENS, CORN-ON-THE-COB and CORNBREAD (from a mix). Fresh FIGS are your dessert.

Shopping List

catfish to broil, canola oil, white button mushrooms, crimini mushrooms, onion, fresh thyme, pepper, Swiss or Emmentaler cheese, kalamata olives, coarse salt, mixed salad greens, corn-on-the-cob, cornbread mix, fresh figs.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Take your guests to the tropics for FIERY ISLAND PINEAPPLE PORK CHOPS for dinner. Serve with RICE, steamed FRESH ZUCCHINI, a BIBB LETTUCE SALAD and BAGUETTES. For dessert, spoon FRESH BLACKBERRIES over a little VANILLA ICE CREAM.

Shopping List

boneless pork chops, Jamaican jerk seasoning, hot pepper jelly, pineapple juice, fresh ginger, fresh pineapple rings, rice, fresh zucchini, bibb lettuce, baguettes, fresh blackberries, vanilla ice cream.

Sunday: Family

Prepare your own boneless LEG OF LAMB for family day. Serve with BAKED DIJON POTATO WEDGES. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut 4 medium red potatoes into wedges. In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; mix well. Add potatoes to bowl; toss to coat. Spread potatoes in a single layer on baking sheet covered with nonstick foil. Bake 15 minutes; turn potatoes. Bake 10 to 15 more minutes or until tender.

Add fresh GREEN BEANS, a SPINACH SALAD and SOURDOUGH BREAD. Enjoy fresh STRAWBERRIES topped with whipped cream for dessert.

Plan

Save enough cooked lamb, green beans and strawberries for Monday.

Shopping List

boneless leg of lamb, red potatoes, Dijon mustard, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, fresh green beans, fresh spinach, sourdough bread, fresh strawberries, whipped cream.

Monday: Heat and Eat

LAMB, GREEN BEANS AND GNOCCHI make good use of leftovers. Cook gnocchi according to directions; drain. In same pot, heat a little canola oil. Add some minced garlic and cook until golden. Add chopped leftover lamb, leftover green beans and gnocchi; toss to coat and heat through. Serve with MIXED SALAD GREENS and GARLIC BREAD. Sprinkle chia seeds over leftover STRAWBERRIES for dessert.

Tip

LAMB, GREEN BEANS AND GNOCCHI make good use of leftovers. Cook gnocchi according to directions; drain. In same pot, heat a little canola oil. Add some minced garlic and cook until golden. Add chopped leftover lamb, leftover green beans and gnocchi; toss to coat and heat through. Serve with MIXED SALAD GREENS and GARLIC BREAD. Sprinkle chia seeds over leftover STRAWBERRIES for dessert.

Shopping List

gnocchi, canola oil, garlic, mixed salad greens, garlic bread, chia seeds.

Tuesday: Meatless

Skip meat for TEX-MEX LAYERED BEAN SALAD. In a 3 1/2-quart-size, straight-sided salad bowl, layer salad as follows: 1 large red or yellow bell pepper (seeded and chopped), 1/3 cup red onion (chopped), 1 (16-ounce) bag iceberg lettuce, carrot and cabbage salad mix (or make your own mixture), 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, 2 (15-ounce) cans 3-bean salad, drained (such as READ or another brand). Set aside.

Mix together 1/2 cup low-fat mayonnaise, 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream and 2 tablespoons finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Spread over top of salad. Cover and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Just before serving, sprinkle top with 1/2 cup crumbled tortilla chips and 1 small sliced avocado. Toss and serve.

Add CRUSTY ROLLS. Fresh NECTARINES are always a welcome dessert.

Shopping List

red or yellow bell pepper, red onion, bag iceberg lettuce, carrot and cabbage salad mix, shredded Mexican cheese blend, canned 3-bean salad, low-fat mayonnaise, reduced-fat sour cream, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, tortilla chips, avocado, crusty rolls, nectarines.

Wednesday: Express

Turn ordinary roasted chicken into ROTISSERIE CHICKEN WITH APRICOT GLAZE. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small pan on medium-high; add 2 thinly sliced shallots and cook 3 to 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in 1/2 cup apricot preserves, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce and 1/4 teaspoon Creole seasoning. Reduce heat to low and cook 5 minutes or until heated. Brush glaze over 1 (2- to 4-pound) plain deli roast chicken. Place it on rack of nonstick foil-lined roasting pan. Bake 15 minutes.

Serve with POTATOES O'BRIEN, packaged SALAD GREENS and BISCUITS. Enjoy fresh TROPICAL FRUIT for dessert.

Shopping List

olive oil, shallots, apricot preserves, lemon, hot sauce, Creole seasoning, plain deli roast chicken, potatoes O'Brien, packaged salad greens, biscuits, fresh tropical fruit.

Thursday: Budget

Economical meatloaf is always welcome at our table, and DEAR ABBY'S MEATLOAF has made a lot of readers happy over the years. It's packed with flavor and easy on the budget. Serve it with MASHED POTATOES, FRESH ZUCCHINI, a LETTUCE WEDGE and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Fresh BLUEBERRIES topped with light whipped cream are good for dessert.

Shopping List

lean ground beef, seasoned Italian bread crumbs, onion, ketchup, garlic powder, eggs, pepper, coarse salt (if desired), bacon (if desired), potatoes to mash, zucchini, lettuce, whole-grain rolls, fresh blueberries, light whipped cream.

Friday: Kids

No kid will be able to resist SOFT AND CRUNCHY TACOS. Serve them with CORN-ON-THE-COB. How about fresh PEACHES for dessert, sprinkled with toasted coconut?

Shopping List

taco shells, fajita-size whole-wheat flour tortillas, shredded 50 percent light cheddar cheese, lean ground beef, reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix, romaine, taco sauce, corn-on-the-cob, fresh peaches, coconut.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Serve your guests WARM GREEK SHRIMP SALAD for a summertime treat. Add COUSCOUS and FLATBREAD. Start your meal with your GAZPACHO. For dessert, pair CHOCOLATE WAFER COOKIES with FRESH RASPBERRIES.

Shopping List

packaged baby spinach leaves, red onion, red bell pepper, uncooked shrimp, Greek oil and vinegar dressing (or another vinaigrette), kalamata olives, lemon, crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese, couscous, flatbread, ingredients for your gazpacho, chocolate wafer cookies, fresh raspberries.