Sunday: Family

When I was growing up, PORK WITH APPLES AND SAUERKRAUT was a favorite family meal. This combo demands MASHED POTATOES alongside! CRANBERRY SAUCE goes well with the flavors, as does RYE BREAD. Top STRAWBERRIES with LIGHT WHIPPED CREAM for dessert.

Plan

Save enough strawberries for Monday.

Shopping List

red potatoes, refrigerated sauerkraut, unsalted chicken broth, Granny Smith apple, onion, lean boneless country-style pork ribs, kielbasa or Polish sausage, apple juice, brown sugar, caraway seeds, ground mustard, whole allspice, potatoes to mash, cranberry sauce, rye bread, strawberries, light whipped cream.

Monday: Meatless

Enjoy the mild flavor of CREAMY VEGETABLES WITH PASTA for a no-meat meal. Serve with GARLIC BREAD and a SPINACH SALAD. Add CANNED MANDARIN ORANGE SECTIONS to the salad and top with RED ONION RINGS. For dessert, scoop VANILLA ICE CREAM and top it with leftover STRAWBERRIES.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Wednesday.

Shopping List

penne pasta, packaged shredded carrots, frozen tiny green peas, garlic, reduced-fat cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese, green onions, coarse salt, pepper, garlic bread, fresh spinach, canned Mandarin oranges, red onion, vanilla ice cream.

Tuesday: Budget

YELLOW CHICKEN CURRY is easy on the budget. In a Dutch oven, combine 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk and 4 1/4 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; add 4 tablespoons curry paste and 1 tablespoon curry powder and mix well. Add 1 1/4 pounds chicken tenders and 3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters, and cook 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low; add 1 large onion, cut into quarters, 1/3 cup fish sauce or reduced-sodium soy sauce and 1 tablespoon sugar. Simmer, covered, 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through; stir occasionally.

Serve with JASMINE RICE and NAAN. Enjoy APRICOTS for dessert.

Plan

Make tomorrow's chili today.

Shopping List

coconut milk, curry paste, curry powder, chicken tenders, Yukon gold potatoes, onion, fish sauce or reduced-sodium soy sauce, sugar, jasmine rice, naan, apricots.

Wednesday: Express

QUICK CHILI is just that, and economical, too. Brown 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef; drain. In a 4-quart or larger slow cooker, combine beef with 3 tablespoons chili powder, 3 (15-ounce) cans mild or medium chili beans, 1 1/2 cups pinto beans, 2 slices cooked and chopped bacon and 5 cups tomato-and-basil spaghetti sauce (such as Classico or another brand). Cook on high 4 hours. (Recipe adapted from healthyaperture.com.)

On the side, add deli COLESLAW. Add some grated carrots to the slaw to perk up the flavor. Make CORNBREAD from a mix. Leftover VANILLA ICE CREAM is the right dessert.

Plan

Save some whole carrots and coleslaw for Thursday.

Shopping List

lean ground beef, chili powder, canned mild or medium chili beans, pinto beans, bacon, tomato-and-basil spaghetti sauce (such as Classico or another brand), deli coleslaw, carrots, cornbread mix.

Thursday: Kids

Don't store the slow cooker just yet -- treat the kids to SLOW COOKER PORK. Place a well-trimmed (4- or 5-pound) boneless pork shoulder roast in a 4- or 6-quart slow cooker; pour an 18-ounce bottle of barbecue sauce and 1 (12-ounce) can cola beverage (not diet) over pork. Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours or until meat shreds easily with a fork. Transfer pork to cutting board; shred with 2 forks, removing any large pieces of fat. Skim fat from sauce and discard. Place pork back in cooker; pour sauce over shredded pork. (Adapted from "Sunday Suppers," Cynthia Graubart, Time Inc. Books.)

Serve the pork on WHOLE-GRAIN BUNS. Add POTATO CHIPS for the kids, along with leftover CARROT STICKS. The adults might enjoy leftover COLESLAW and pickled sliced jalapenos with their barbecue.

FROSTED GRAPES are dessert: Wash and pat dry 1 1/2 pounds seedless red or green grapes. Freeze for 45 minutes and let stand 2 minutes before serving.

Plan

Save enough pork for Friday.

Shopping List

well-trimmed boneless pork shoulder roast, barbecue sauce, cola beverage, whole-grain buns, potato chips, pickled sliced jalapenos, red or green grapes.

Friday: Heat and Eat

Tonight, heat the leftover PULLED PORK. Spoon it onto toasted CORNBREAD SQUARES. Serve with MIXED GREENS. BLUEBERRIES are your dessert.

Plan

Buy enough blueberries for Saturday.

Shopping List

cornbread mix, mixed greens, blueberries.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Invite guests for MUSTARD-TOPPED SALMON. Place a 2 1/2-pound salmon fillet on a broiler pan, skin side down. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill and 1/4 cup grainy Dijon mustard. Spread half on top of salmon. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 5 hours. Stir remaining mustard mixture into 1/2 cup light mayonnaise; cover and refrigerate. To cook, heat oven to 400 degrees. Remove salmon from refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking. Bake 20 minutes or until fish is cooked through. Remove salmon in one piece to a platter, leaving skin behind. Serve warm or at room temperature with sauce, over BROWN RICE tossed with TOASTED WALNUTS. (Adapted from Family Circle.)

For a delicious side dish, try BAKED ARTICHOKES AND SPINACH and add DINNER ROLLS. For dessert, buy a CHEESECAKE and top it with leftover BLUEBERRIES.

Shopping List

salmon fillet, light brown sugar, fresh dill, grainy Dijon mustard, light mayonnaise, brown rice, walnuts, frozen chopped spinach, butter, green onions, canned water-packed quartered artichokes, reduced-fat sour cream, parmesan cheese, cooking spray, dinner rolls, cheesecake.

Sunday: Family

Make it family time with MOJO BEEF KEBABS. Serve the kebabs with ORZO, a MIXED GREEN SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For dessert, buy a COCONUT LAYER CAKE.

Plan

Prepare 2 extra kebabs and extra orzo, and save enough cake for Monday.

Shopping List

orange, limes, fresh oregano, olive oil, fresh parsley, cumin, garlic, coarse salt, boneless beef top sirloin, coarse ground pepper, small red onion, grape tomatoes, orzo, mixed greens, whole-grain rolls, coconut layer cake.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Make BEEF PITAS tonight. Line whole-wheat pitas with lettuce leaves. Dice and heat the leftover kebabs; mix with 3 cups hot leftover orzo and a little beef broth. Stuff pitas with mixture. Serve with GRATED CARROTS and CHOPPED DRIED APRICOTS moistened with VANILLA YOGURT. Leftover CAKE works for dessert.

Shopping List

whole-wheat pitas, lettuce, beef broth, carrots, dried apricots, vanilla yogurt.

Tuesday: Express

Look for one of the many FROZEN NOODLE BOWLS. It's a quick fix for dinner, but it may be a little spicy for kids. Serve the bowls with a SPINACH SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Crunch on PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES for dessert.

Plan

Save enough cookies for Thursday.

Shopping List

frozen noodle bowls, fresh spinach, whole-grain rolls, peanut butter cookies.

Wednesday: Kids

Make BAKED TACOS for kids' night and serve with SPANISH RICE. Let the kids help prepare and layer instant chocolate and vanilla pudding (made with 1 percent milk) in pretty, tall dessert dishes and call them BLACK-AND-WHITE PARFAITS.

Shopping List

olive oil, ground turkey breast, canned reduced-sodium pinto beans, mild salsa, reduced-sodium taco seasoning, flour tortillas, cooking spray, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, reduced-fat sour cream, shredded Monterey jack cheese, Spanish rice, instant chocolate pudding, instant vanilla pudding, 1 percent milk.

Thursday: Meatless

Soup always tastes good on cool nights, as will this LENTIL AND CORN SOUP. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 2 (19-ounce) cans lentil soup, 1 (10-ounce) package frozen corn (thawed) and 2 teaspoons curry powder; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with GRILLED CHEDDAR CHEESE SANDWICHES made with 50 percent light cheddar cheese on dense white bread. Add a ROMAINE SALAD. For dessert, leftover COOKIES can go with any FRESH FRUIT CHUNKS.

Shopping List

canned lentil soup, frozen corn, curry powder, fresh cilantro, 50 percent light cheddar cheese, dense white bread, romaine, fresh fruit chunks.

Friday: Budget

Pinch a few pennies tonight and serve SPAGHETTI WITH TUNA AND SPINACH. Cook 12 ounces spaghetti according to directions; drain. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil to medium. Cook 2 cups sliced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper for 6 minutes or until softened. Add 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can no-salt-added chopped tomatoes and cook 5 more minutes. Gradually add 5 cups chopped fresh spinach. Cook 5 minutes or until spinach is tender. Add 2 (6-ounce) cans drained and flaked light tuna. Season with coarse salt and black pepper to taste. Toss mixture with spaghetti and serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese, if desired. Add GARLIC BREAD. Serve PINEAPPLE SHERBET for dessert.

Plan

Save enough sherbet for Saturday.

Shopping List

spaghetti, olive oil, onions, garlic, crushed red pepper, canned no-salt-added chopped tomatoes, fresh spinach, canned light tuna, coarse salt, pepper, parmesan cheese, garlic bread, pineapple sherbet.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

It's OK to show off tonight with this TURKEY SCALOPPINE WITH LEMON SAUCE.

Alongside, offer SAVORY RICE. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 clove minced garlic and cook 2 or 3 minutes. Add 3 cups cooked rice, 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley and 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese. Mix well and heat through.

Serve with a BOSTON LETTUCE SALAD with BLUE HEAVEN DRESSING: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise, 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream and crumbled blue cheese, 1 tablespoon minced garlic and 1 tablespoon minced green onions and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper; mix well. Chill 1 to 4 hours.

Add DINNER ROLLS. For dessert, take it easy with leftover SHERBET and BUTTER COOKIES.

Shopping List

turkey breast cutlets, flour, coarse salt, pepper, butter, olive oil, dry white wine or unsalted chicken broth, lemons, fresh parsley, garlic, capers, rice, green onions, parmesan cheese, Boston lettuce, buttermilk, low-fat mayonnaise, reduced-fat sour cream, crumbled blue cheese, cayenne pepper, dinner rolls, butter cookies.

Sunday: Family

Gather the family for CLASSIC ROAST CHICKEN from Atlanta cookbook author Cynthia Graubart's new book, "Sunday Suppers," which is full of easy, practical, delicious recipes.

Serve the juicy bird with your MACARONI AND CHEESE and TINY GREEN PEAS (from frozen). Add CRUSTY ROLLS. For dessert, buy a BLUEBERRY COBBLER.

Plan

Save enough chicken and some cobbler for Monday.

Shopping List

coarse salt, pepper, whole roasting chicken, lemon, fresh rosemary, olive oil, cooking spray, macaroni and cheese, frozen tiny green peas, crusty rolls, blueberry cobbler.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Use the leftover chicken and make nontraditional GRILLED CHICKEN AND PROVOLONE CHEESE SANDWICHES. Chop the leftover chicken and mix with 1/3 cup golden raisins, 1/4 cup thinly sliced celery and 1/3 cup low-fat mayonnaise. Coat one side of 12 whole-grain bread slices with cooking spray. Turn 6 bread slices coated side down and add a thin slice of provolone cheese to each. Spread with chicken mixture. Top with another thin slice of cheese and remaining 6 bread slices (coated side up). Place in a thick skillet or griddle heated to medium; gently press down. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side or until lightly browned.

Serve with CARROT SALAD. Warm the leftover COBBLER and top it with VANILLA ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Tuesday.

Shopping List

golden raisins, celery, low-fat mayonnaise, whole-grain bread, cooking spray, thinly sliced provolone cheese, deli carrot salad, vanilla ice cream.

Tuesday: Kids

You'd think they might get tired of SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS, but kids are often resistant to change. Make them happy and cook some spaghetti, top it with their favorite red pasta sauce and buy or make your own meatballs. Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese for some adult appeal. Make a chopped LETTUCE SALAD and add crunchy BREAD STICKS. Enjoy leftover ICE CREAM with CHOCOLATE SYRUP for dessert.

Shopping List

spaghetti, red pasta sauce, meatballs, parmesan cheese, lettuce, bread sticks, chocolate syrup.

Wednesday: Meatless

CRUSTLESS VEGETABLE QUICHE has great flavor without any meat. Coat a 4-quart or larger slow cooker with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, beat 6 eggs with 2 tablespoons flour, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Whisk in 1 cup half-and-half and 1 cup 1 percent milk. Stir in 3 cups of any chopped cooked vegetable, 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil, 1/2 cup grated Gruyere, Emmentaler, Gouda or cheddar cheese (or a mixture) and 1/2 cup parmesan. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker. Sprinkle another 1/2 cup parmesan on top. Cover and cook on high 1 1/2 hours or until quiche is just set in center. Run a knife around the edge of the quiche, cut into wedges and serve hot.

Add BAKED SWEET POTATOES, a ROMAINE SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Enjoy FRESH PEARS for dessert.

Plan

Bake enough potatoes for Friday.

Shopping List

cooking spray, eggs, flour, coarse salt, grated nutmeg, ground black pepper, half-and-half, 1 percent milk, any vegetable, fresh basil, Gruyere, Emmentaler, Gouda or cheddar cheese, parmesan, sweet potatoes to bake, romaine, whole-grain rolls, fresh pears.

Thursday: Express

Make tonight a soup-and-sandwich night. Buy deli ROAST BEEF SANDWICHES and jazz them up with horseradish sauce. Serve the sandwiches with BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP for a big shot of vitamin A, and add a MIXED GREEN SALAD. For dessert, PLUMS are simple.

Shopping List

deli roast beef sandwiches, horseradish sauce, butternut squash soup (Pacific or another brand), mixed greens, plums.

Friday: Budget

For an economical meal, serve CATFISH PO' BOYS tonight. Make SWEET POTATO OVEN FRIES with leftover potatoes. Cut them into 3/4-inch wedges, coat with cooking spray and add coarse salt and black pepper to taste, then bake in a 425-degree oven 10 minutes or until hot. Serve with BELL PEPPER STICKS and OLIVES. Try PEACHES for dessert.

Shopping List

eggs, catfish fillets, Italian seasoned bread crumbs, canola oil, long rolls or Italian bread, prepared pesto sauce, jar roasted red peppers, lettuce, provolone cheese, cooking spray, coarse salt, black pepper, bell peppers, olives, peaches.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

These ONION-AND-CHERRY-GLAZED PORK CHOPS would please any guest. Serve with BROWN RICE PILAF, GREEN BEANS, a SPINACH SALAD and SOURDOUGH ROLLS. LEMON SORBET is just the right light dessert.

Shopping List

well-trimmed boneless pork chops, garlic-pepper seasoning, olive oil, onions, light brown sugar, cornstarch, sweetened or tart dried cherries, balsamic vinegar, brown rice pilaf, green beans, fresh spinach, sourdough rolls, lemon sorbet.