Sunday: Family

Celebrate family day with your favorite recipe for LEG OF LAMB. Accompany it with colorful BROCCOLI-WALNUT NOODLES.

For more color and flavor, add LEMONY STEWED TOMATOES: With a vegetable peeler, remove a strip of the yellow part of a lemon peel. Add peel and a squeeze of lemon juice (to taste) to canned stewed tomatoes and heat. Remove peel and serve.

Add WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For dessert, make or buy a RED VELVET CAKE.

Plan

Save enough lamb and cake for Monday.

Shopping List

leg of lamb, wide or medium curly no-yolk noodles, fresh broccoli, olive oil, walnuts, lemon, orange, coarse salt, pepper, canned stewed tomatoes, whole-grain rolls, red velvet cake.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Make delicious MEDITERRANEAN LAMB STEW with Sunday's leftovers. In a saucepan, combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 cups cooked chopped lamb, 1 (16-ounce) can rinsed reduced-sodium chickpeas, 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes with liquid, 1 (7-ounce) can caponata (eggplant appetizer). Mix well. Heat through and serve.

Add COUSCOUS, CUCUMBER SPEARS and FLATBREAD. Leftover CAKE works for dessert.

Shopping List

olive oil, canned reduced-sodium chickpeas, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes, canned caponata (eggplant appetizer), couscous, cucumbers, flatbread.

Tuesday: Kids

What kid wouldn't like BEANY ROLL-UPS? Mix 1 (16-ounce) can fat-free refried beans, 1/2 cup mild salsa and 1/4 teaspoon chili powder in a small saucepan. Heat on medium about 5 minutes or until warm. Spread about 1/4 cup mixture along center of each of 8 (8- to 10-inch) whole-grain flour tortillas. Top with shredded lettuce and 1 tablespoon shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Fold over sides and ends and serve with additional salsa.

Add RICE cooked with shredded carrots. The kids can make CELERY BOATS with cream cheese and dried cranberries or cherries. PEARS make a dandy dessert.

Tip

What kid wouldn't like BEANY ROLL-UPS? Mix 1 (16-ounce) can fat-free refried beans, 1/2 cup mild salsa and 1/4 teaspoon chili powder in a small saucepan. Heat on medium about 5 minutes or until warm. Spread about 1/4 cup mixture along center of each of 8 (8- to 10-inch) whole-grain flour tortillas. Top with shredded lettuce and 1 tablespoon shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Fold over sides and ends and serve with additional salsa.

Add RICE cooked with shredded carrots. The kids can make CELERY BOATS with cream cheese and dried cranberries or cherries. PEARS make a dandy dessert.

Shopping List

canned fat-free refried beans, mild salsa, chili powder, whole-grain flour tortillas, lettuce, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, rice, shredded carrots, celery, cream cheese, dried cranberries or cherries, pears, tomatoes (if desired), jalapeno peppers (if desired).

Wednesday: Express

Little time to cook tonight? Here's where canned LENTIL SOUP and GRILLED CHILI-CHEESE SANDWICHES ON WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD come to the rescue. Drain 1 (4-ounce) can whole green chilies. Put 1 chili between 2 slices (any) cheese on whole-grain bread. Coat both sides of bread with cooking spray and grill in skillet until cheese melts. Slice diagonally and serve with PICKLES. For dessert, STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM is easy.

Plan

Cook Thursday’s brown rice and lentils today. Save enough ice cream for Friday.

Shopping List

canned lentil soup, canned whole green chilies, any sliced cheese, whole-grain bread, cooking spray, pickles, strawberry ice cream.

Thursday: Budget

When the food budget is tight, CHEESY LENTILS AND RICE will keep you afloat.

Serve with TOMATO AND SWEET ONION SALAD: Slice 2 pounds ripe, cored tomatoes (any kind) into 1-inch chunks. Tear 20 fresh mint leaves into small pieces. Thinly slice a medium sweet onion. Place tomatoes, mint and onions in a medium bowl. Add juice of one lemon, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon coarse salt and some pepper. Combine, gently toss and serve.

Add TOASTED ENGLISH MUFFINS. PEACHES are an economical dessert.

Shopping List

brown lentils, brown rice, unsalted chicken broth, canned diced tomatoes and green chiles, garlic, chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, coarse salt, pepper, shredded pepper jack cheese, cilantro, reduced-fat sour cream, tomatoes, mint, sweet onion, lemon, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic powder, English muffins, peaches.

Friday: Meatless

Skipping meat tonight couldn't be easier with SAVORY BEAN AND PASTA SALAD. Serve with a LETTUCE WEDGE and GARLIC BREAD. Scoop the leftover ICE CREAM for dessert.

Shopping List

medium shell or penne pasta, canned three-bean salad, grape tomatoes, provolone cheese, dried oregano, garlic, pepper, lettuce, garlic bread.

Saturday: Entertain the Family

The family will love PEPPER-LIME CHICKEN. Place 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (flattened to an even thickness) on unheated rack (coated with cooking spray) of broiler pan. Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat about 6 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once. Meanwhile, mix together 1/2 teaspoon lime zest (green part only), 1 tablespoon canola oil, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt. Brush both sides of chicken with glaze. Broil 5 to 15 minutes more, until chicken is tender or internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, brushing often during the last 5 minutes.

Serve with BROWN RICE tossed with toasted pistachio nuts, FRENCH GREEN BEANS and SOURDOUGH BREAD. Make dessert light with ORANGE SORBET and CHOCOLATE WAFER COOKIES.

Shopping List

boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cooking spray, lime, canola oil, garlic, dried thyme, black pepper, coarse salt, brown rice, pistachio nuts, French green beans, sourdough bread, orange sorbet, chocolate wafer cookies.

Sunday: Family

Celebrate family time with CAJUN BEEF PEPPER STEAK WITH RICE. Alongside, add MIXED GREENS and CRUSTY BREAD. Buy a BOSTON CREAM PIE for dessert.

Plan

Prepare enough steak and save some pie for Monday.

Shopping List

Cajun or Creole seasoning blend, boneless sirloin steaks, green or red bell peppers, canola oil, packaged Cajun or Creole rice mix with seasonings, mixed greens, crusty bread, Boston cream pie.

Monday: Heat and Eat

A delicious way to use the leftover steak is in BEEF, ROTINI AND ARTICHOKE SALAD WITH BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE. All you need is SOURDOUGH BREAD to go alongside. Slice the leftover PIE for dessert.

Shopping List

tri-colored rotini (corkscrew) pasta, canned quartered water-packed artichokes, red bell pepper, pitted black olives, fresh basil, balsamic vinaigrette, sourdough bread.

Tuesday: Meatless

Dinner couldn't be easier than using your slow cooker for SEASONED BLACK BEANS. Serve the beans over BROWN RICE and add CARROT AND CELERY STICKS on the side, along with WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For dessert, enjoy RED AND GREEN GRAPES.

Shopping List

dried black beans, onion, green bell pepper, garlic, bay leaves, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes, unsalted vegetable broth if desired, olive oil, cumin, fresh jalapeno pepper, coarse salt, red onion, eggs, cilantro, reduced-fat sour cream, brown rice, carrots, celery, whole-grain rolls, red and green grapes.

Wednesday: Express

Fix a quick BARBECUE PIZZA for dinner tonight: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place a large ready-to-heat pizza crust on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with 1 cup (of 2 cups total) shredded 50% light cheddar cheese. Top with 1 (15-ounce) container refrigerated fully cooked shredded beef with barbecue sauce and 4 red onion rings. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until hot.

Add a packaged GREEN SALAD and SLICED KIWIS, and dinner is prepared.

Shopping List

large ready-to-heat pizza crust, shredded 50% light cheddar cheese, refrigerated fully cooked shredded beef with barbecue sauce, red onion, packaged green salad, kiwis.

Thursday: Budget

Pasta, beans and tuna are all money-savers, and this FETTUCCINE WITH TUNA AND WHITE BEANS adds good flavor to the equation. Cook 12 ounces fettuccine; drain. In a large bowl, combine 2 (6-ounce) cans drained, flaked, water-packed albacore tuna, 1 (15-ounce) can rinsed reduced-sodium cannellini beans and 2 cups marinara sauce. Toss with the fettuccine.

Serve with a SPINACH SALAD and ITALIAN BREAD. PLUMS make a simple dessert.

Shopping List

fettuccine, canned water-packed albacore tuna, canned reduced-sodium cannellini beans, marinara sauce, fresh spinach, Italian bread, plums.

Friday: Kids

The kids will be excited for SOFT BEAN TACOS. Spread warmed corn tortillas with heated canned fat-free refried beans. Top with salsa, shredded lettuce and shredded 50% light cheddar cheese. Serve with canned MEXICAN-STYLE CORN on the side, along with SLICED AVOCADOS. For dessert, APPLE SLICES go well with PEANUT BUTTER for dipping.

Shopping List

corn tortillas, canned fat-free refried beans, salsa, lettuce, shredded 50% light cheddar cheese, canned Mexican-style corn, avocados, apples, peanut butter.

Saturday: Entertain the Family

PORK MEDALLIONS WITH DIJON-DILL SAUCE make a family meal special. Cut a 1- to 1 1/4-pound pork tenderloin into 8 pieces. Place each piece on flat surface; cover pork pieces with waxed paper and flatten gently with heel of hand to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cook in a nonstick skillet on medium heat in two batches, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to warm platter; season with garlic salt and black pepper on both sides; cover to keep warm. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons fresh dill leaves and 2 teaspoons sugar; mix well. Serve sauce with pork.

On the side, add COUSCOUS, fresh GREEN BEANS, a BOSTON LETTUCE SALAD and a BAGUETTE. Buy an APPLE PIE for dessert and top with light whipped cream.

Shopping List

pork tenderloin, garlic salt, black pepper, plain yogurt, Dijon mustard, fresh dill, sugar, couscous, fresh green beans, Boston lettuce, baguette, apple pie, light whipped cream.

Sunday: Family

Gather the family for a ROAST TURKEY BREAST (use package directions). Add MASHED POTATOES, FRESH BROCCOLI AU GRATIN, a MIXED GREENS SALAD and DINNER ROLLS. Buy a CHERRY CRISP for dessert.

Plan

Save enough mashed potatoes for Monday; save enough crisp for Tuesday.

Shopping List

whole turkey breast, potatoes to mash, fresh broccoli, au gratin sauce, salad greens, dinner rolls, cherry crisp.

Monday: Kids

Kids and adults alike will enjoy MINI MEATLOAVES. Serve with leftover MASHED POTATOES and frozen tiny GREEN PEAS. Add SOFT BREADSTICKS. For dessert, munch on PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES.

Plan

Save 2 meatloaves for Tuesday.

Shopping List

1% milk, egg, lean ground beef, dry bread crumbs, ranch dressing mix, less-sodium Worcestershire sauce, 50% light cheddar cheese (if desired), frozen tiny green peas, soft breadsticks, peanut butter cookies.

Tuesday: Heat and Eat

The family will be amazed at how you turned leftover meatloaf into APPLE-RAISIN PIZZA. Crumble the 2 leftover meatloaves over a ready-to-bake large pizza crust. Sprinkle with 1 thinly sliced Granny Smith apple (peeled and cored), golden raisins, some chopped celery and shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese. Bake according to package directions. Serve with a GREEN SALAD. Warm the leftover CRISP and top with VANILLA ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save extra ice cream for Friday.

Shopping List

ready-to-bake large pizza crust, Granny Smith apple, golden raisins, celery, shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, salad greens, vanilla ice cream.

Wednesday: Meatless

It's easy and delicious, so VIDALIA ONION AND RICE CASSEROLE works for a no-meat entree. Add a SPINACH SALAD with EGG WEDGES and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For dessert, enjoy BANANA PUDDING made with 1% milk.

Shopping List

brown rice, butter, Vidalia or other sweet onions, 1% milk, Swiss cheese, cooking spray, fresh spinach, eggs, whole-grain rolls, instant banana pudding.

Thursday: Budget

When your food budget needs a little help, TUNA MELTS can come to the rescue. Top both halves of whole-grain English muffins with deli (or your own) tuna salad and a slice of American cheese. Add a slice of tomato if desired. Broil until the cheese melts. Serve with OVEN FRIES (frozen) and BELL PEPPER RINGS. PEACHES are a simple dessert.

Shopping List

whole-grain English muffins, deli or your own tuna salad, sliced American cheese, tomatoes (if desired), frozen oven fries, bell peppers, peaches.

Friday: Express

For a quick meal, PAN-FRIED HAM STEAKS are hard to beat, especially when you accompany the ham with refrigerated POLENTA (follow the package directions). Pick up deli WALDORF SALAD and BISCUITS, and you're almost home. Leftover ICE CREAM makes a cool dessert.

Shopping List

ham steaks, refrigerated polenta, deli Waldorf salad, biscuits.

Saturday: Entertain the Family

ROASTED SALMON FILLETS will be a treat for the family. Serve with packaged LONG-GRAIN AND WILD RICE and SUGAR SNAP PEAS. Add a MIXED LETTUCE SALAD and SOURDOUGH BREAD.

The family will love these easy FRUIT TARTS. Mash or puree 1 cup fresh strawberries until saucy. In a medium bowl, stir 4 ounces softened, reduced-fat cream cheese until smooth; gradually blend in mashed strawberries. Stir in 1 tablespoon honey. Divide mixture among 6 purchased graham cracker crumb tart shells. Top with 1 1/2 cups assorted fresh fruit (blueberries, kiwifruit, strawberries and/or raspberries).

Shopping List

skin-on salmon fillets, canola oil, coarse salt, pepper, packaged long-grain and wild rice, sugar snap peas, mixed lettuce, sourdough bread, fresh strawberries, reduced-fat cream cheese, honey, graham cracker crumb tart shells, assorted fresh fruit.