Sunday: Family

Start the big day with SOUTHWESTERN BRUNCH STRATA. To round out the meal, add deli BROCCOLI SALAD. For a sweet treat, CHRISTMAS COOKIES and AMBROSIA are traditional.

Tip

Prepare the strata the day before.

Plan

Save enough strata and cookies for Tuesday.

Shopping List

cooking spray, shredded hash browns, canned reduced-sodium black beans, frozen whole kernel corn, cooked chicken, frozen stir-fry bell peppers and onions, shredded 50% light cheddar cheese, cilantro, eggs, 1% milk, coarse salt, cayenne pepper, deli broccoli salad, Christmas cookies, ambrosia.

Monday: Budget

Save some money and serve frozen VEGGIE BURGERS WITH AVOCADO TOPPING tonight. For the topping: In a small bowl, mash 1 ripe avocado until creamy. Mix in 1/2 cup diced seeded cucumber, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon chopped green onion and 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt. Arrange a lettuce leaf on each of 4 whole-grain hamburger buns. Place a cooked veggie burger on each leaf; top with sliced tomatoes, additional cucumber slices and the avocado mixture.

Serve with BAKED CHIPS. PEARS are your dessert.

Shopping List

avocado, cucumber, lemon, green onions, coarse salt, lettuce, whole-grain hamburger buns, frozen veggie burgers, tomatoes, baked chips, pears.

Tuesday: Heat and Eat

Heat the leftover STRATA and serve it with steamed sliced ZUCCHINI, a LETTUCE WEDGE and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Enjoy STRAWBERRIES and leftover COOKIES for dessert.

Shopping List

zucchini, lettuce, whole-grain rolls, strawberries.

Wednesday: Express

Make a quick meal with VEGETABLE CHOWDER tonight: In a 2- or 3-quart microwaveable dish, combine 1 tablespoon butter, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup green bell pepper and 1 cup chopped carrots. Microwave on high (100% power) 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of potato soup, 1 cup 1% milk and 1 (16-ounce) can cream-style corn. Cover and microwave on high 8 to 10 minutes. Let stand covered 2 minutes; serve.

Add GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES with SWEET PICKLES and CHERRY TOMATOES on the side. For dessert, try PEACHES.

Shopping List

butter, onion, green bell pepper, carrots, canned condensed cream of potato soup, 1% milk, canned cream-style corn, cheese and bread for sandwiches, sweet pickles, cherry tomatoes, peaches.

Thursday: Meatless

GARAM MASALA LENTILS AND POTATOES is a hearty no-meat dinner: In a Dutch oven, combine 4 cups water, 1 pound brown lentils (picked over and rinsed), 1 1/2 pounds all-purpose potatoes (peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces), 2 medium chopped onions, 1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon cumin and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cover and bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, covered, 35 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add 2 red or yellow (or 1 each) bell peppers cut into 1-inch pieces and simmer 5 more minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves. Sprinkle 3/4 cup toasted slivered almonds over top.

Serve with MIXED GREENS and FLATBREAD. APRICOTS are an easy dessert.

Shopping List

brown lentils, all-purpose potatoes, onions, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes, coarse salt, garam masala seasoning, cumin, black pepper, red or yellow bell peppers, cilantro, slivered almonds, mixed greens, flatbread, apricots.

Friday: Kids

Kids and grown-ups alike will go for CRISPY BAKED DRUMSTICKS WITH HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE. Serve with OVEN FRIES (from frozen), GREEN BEANS and SOFT ROLLS. RED and GREEN GRAPES are dessert.

Shopping List

dry Italian breadcrumbs, paprika, onion powder, coarse salt, canola oil, egg, skinless chicken drumsticks, nonfat Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, pepper, cooking spray, frozen oven fries, green beans, soft rolls, red and green grapes.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Celebrate the end of the year with friends and serve them FILET MIGNON WITH HERB-BUTTER SAUCE AND MUSHROOMS. Serve the steak with your RISOTTO, ASPARAGUS and a BAGUETTE. For dessert, CHOCOLATE MERINGUE COOKIES and STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM end the meal on a high note.

Shopping List

filet mignon steaks, coarse salt, pepper, butter, assorted mushrooms (shiitake, enoki, straw, cremini, button or chanterelle), shallots, lower-sodium beef broth, fresh or dried thyme, cornstarch, ingredients for risotto, asparagus, baguette, chocolate meringue cookies, strawberry ice cream.

Sunday: Family

The family will enjoy the wonderful aroma and delicious flavor of PORK TENDERLOIN WITH BROILED APPLES: Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup apple jelly, 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; blend well. Place 2 pounds pork tenderloins in a shallow roasting pan; brush with half the jelly mixture. Roast 20 to 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes. Place thinly sliced apple from 4 cored, unpeeled red apples on broiler pan coated with cooking spray; brush with remaining jelly mixture. Broil 5 to 6 inches from heat for 5 minutes or until tender. Slice pork; serve with apple slices.

Alongside, add BAKED SWEET POTATOES, ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS, MIXED GREENS and DINNER ROLLS. For dessert, try VANILLA ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Saturday.

Shopping List

apple jelly, lemons, pumpkin pie spice, pork tenderloins, red apples, cooking spray, sweet potatoes to bake, Brussels sprouts, mixed greens, dinner rolls, vanilla ice cream.

Monday: Budget

I’m always up for another MEATLOAF recipe because of the flavor and low cost. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cover and microwave on high 3/4 cup chopped onion 2 minutes or until tender; drain. In a large bowl, combine onion, 3 tablespoons ketchup, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley, 1 teaspoon less-sodium Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, 1 pound ground sirloin and 1 egg; mix lightly. Place meat mixture on a rimmed baking sheet coated with cooking spray; shape into an 8-by-4-inch loaf. Brush top with 3 more tablespoons ketchup. Bake 35 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes. Cut into 8 slices and serve.

My favorite accompaniments are MASHED POTATOES and GREEN BEANS, creating a meal straight from my childhood. Add WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. PEACHES are your dessert.

Shopping List

onion, ketchup, panko breadcrumbs, flat-leaf parsley, less-sodium Worcestershire sauce, dried oregano, coarse salt, pepper, ground sirloin, eggs, cooking spray, potatoes to mash, green beans, whole-grain bread, peaches.

Tuesday: Meatless

CHIPOTLE BLACK BEAN SOUP WITH CORN AND TOMATOES is a quick no-meat dinner. Serve it with a CAESAR SALAD and GARLIC BREAD. Make instant VANILLA PUDDING with 1% milk for dessert. Stir crushed pineapple into the pudding for a little extra flavor.

Shopping List

canola oil, onion, reduced-sodium black beans, canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, frozen corn, limes, cherry or grape tomatoes, plain low-fat Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, coarse salt and pepper to taste, Caesar salad, garlic bread, instant vanilla pudding, 1% milk, crushed pineapple.

Wednesday: Heat and Eat

Slice the leftover meatloaf and make MEATLOAF SANDWICHES. Place the meatloaf slices on whole-grain bread slathered with a little low-fat mayonnaise and a leaf or two of red-tipped lettuce.

Use the leftover mashed potatoes for POTATO PATTIES: Stir a beaten egg into the potatoes, shape into patties, coat with flour and pan-fry in a little olive oil until browned on both sides and heated through.

Serve CARROT STICKS alongside. Make dessert easy with KIWIS.

Shopping List

whole-grain bread, low-fat mayonnaise, red-tipped lettuce, egg, flour, olive oil, carrots, kiwis.

Thursday: Express

"Yum, yum!" is the perfect description for SAUCY ITALIAN-STYLE CHICKEN THIGHS. Serve them over BROWN RICE to soak up some of the flavorful sauce. Add an ARUGULA SALAD and ITALIAN BREAD. For dessert, PLUMS are good.

Shopping List

skinless boneless chicken thighs, canned Italian-style diced tomatoes, tomato paste with Italian seasoning, onion, garlic, dried Italian seasoning, coarse salt, pepper, brown rice, arugula, Italian bread, plums.

Friday: Kids

The kids will love RICE HIDING UNDER CREAMY CHICKEN. In a 2-quart saucepan, blend 1/2 cup 1% milk and 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can less-sodium less-fat condensed cream of chicken soup; heat on medium, stirring frequently. Stir in 1 (12-ounce) can drained chicken breast in water (or 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast), a 4.5- to 6-ounce can or jar drained sliced mushrooms, 1/2 cup cooked sliced carrots and 1 (14.5-ounce) can drained diced tomatoes; heat through.

Serve over rice and add CELERY STICKS. For dessert, the kids will love CINNAMONY SWEET NOODLE PUDDING.

Plan

Cook enough rice for Saturday.

Shopping List

1% milk, less-sodium less-fat condensed cream of chicken soup, canned or cooked chicken breast, can or jar sliced mushrooms, carrots, canned diced tomatoes, rice, celery, cooking spray, medium wide noodles, olive oil, eggs, part-skim ricotta cheese, low-fat plain Greek yogurt, sugar, cinnamon, raisins.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

It’s easy and delicious, making SMOKY MAPLE-MUSTARD SALMON the perfect entree for your guests. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Combine 3 tablespoons whole-grain or Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika or chipotle pepper, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon coarse salt; mix well. Place 4 (4-ounce) salmon fillets (skin side down) on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Spread mustard mixture evenly over salmon. Roast 8 to 12 minutes or until opaque throughout.

Serve with ROASTED ASPARAGUS, your RICE PILAF, a BIBB LETTUCE SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Celebrate the season with CHRISTMAS COOKIES and leftover ICE CREAM for dessert.

Tip

Salmon skin will stick to uncoated foil for easy removal.

Shopping List

whole-grain or Dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, smoked paprika or chipotle pepper, black pepper, coarse salt, salmon fillets, asparagus, rice pilaf, Bibb lettuce, whole-grain rolls, Christmas cookies.

Sunday: Family

With ROAST CHICKEN on the menu for family day, I'm reminded of my childhood Sunday meals. Serve the homey entree with SMOKED GOUDA AND SCALLION MASHED POTATOES. Add fresh BROCCOLI, a SPINACH SALAD and DINNER ROLLS. Buy a LEMON MERINGUE PIE for dessert.

Plan

Save enough chicken and pie for Monday.

Shopping List

chicken to roast, russet potatoes, coarse salt, whole milk, unsalted butter, smoked Gouda cheese, green onions, fresh broccoli, fresh spinach, dinner rolls, lemon meringue pie.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Use the Sunday leftover chicken for CHICKEN, BLACK BEANS AND CORN SALAD WRAP. Mix shredded chicken with canned rinsed corn, canned rinsed reduced-sodium black beans, shredded lettuce and salsa. Serve rolled in warm whole-grain tortillas. Add sliced AVOCADO to the plate. Present the leftover PIE for dessert.

Shopping List

canned corn, reduced-sodium black beans, lettuce, salsa, whole-grain tortillas, avocado.

Tuesday: Kids

Let's roll dinner again for the kids in EASY TURKEY ROLL-UPS. Spread 6 (6- or 7-inch) whole-grain tortillas with chive and onion cream cheese (or plain less-fat cream cheese), slices of deli turkey, shredded lettuce and thin slices of tomato. Roll and cut into 3 pieces. Add CARROT SALAD on the side. For dessert, make instant CHOCOLATE PUDDING with 1% milk and stir in tiny marshmallows and sliced bananas for a kid kind of dessert.

Plan

Save enough carrot salad for Wednesday.

Shopping List

whole-grain tortillas, chive and onion cream cheese or plain less-fat cream cheese, deli sliced turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, carrot salad, instant chocolate pudding, 1% milk, tiny marshmallows, bananas.

Wednesday: Budget

Save some money and enjoy PULLED PORK WITH ONIONS tonight. Place 1 (3-pound) trimmed pork shoulder (cut into 3 pieces) in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. In a large bowl, combine 3 halved and sliced onions, 1/3 cup sugar, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, 1/3 cup cider vinegar, 1 cup chili sauce and 3 minced canned chipotle chilies in adobo sauce; mix well and spoon over pork. Cover and cook 7 to 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. Transfer pork to cutting board; shred with two forks and stir back into sauce. Serve on toasted WHOLE-GRAIN BUNS. Top with sliced jalapeno peppers if desired. Add PINTO BEANS and leftover CARROT SALAD on the side. Enjoy PEARS for dessert.

Plan

Save enough pulled pork for Friday.

Shopping List

pork shoulder, onions, sugar, garlic, dried oregano, black pepper, coarse salt, cider vinegar, chili sauce, canned chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, whole-grain buns, sliced jalapeno peppers, pinto beans, pears.

Thursday: Meatless

You’ll never miss meat with COTTAGE CASSEROLE. Serve it with a ROMAINE SALAD and WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM is dessert.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Saturday.

Shopping List

bow tie or elbow pasta, package fresh spinach, no-added-salt or regular marinara sauce, reduced-fat cottage cheese or part-skim ricotta cheese, green onions, coarse salt, pepper, 50% light cheddar cheese, cooking spray, Romaine, whole-grain bread, strawberry ice cream.

Friday: Express

To continue the “eating out of hand” theme for this week, how about PORK TACOS? Heat the leftover pork and spoon it into heated taco shells; top with deli COLESLAW. Serve with BAKED CHIPS. Fresh PINEAPPLE is a simple dessert.

Shopping List

taco shells, deli coleslaw, baked chips, fresh pineapple.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

SHRIMP FETTUCCINE ALFREDO makes a great meal for guests as well as the hostess because of the flavor and the simplicity. Add ROASTED ASPARAGUS, a BOSTON LETTUCE SALAD and BAGUETTES. Top the leftover ICE CREAM with warm FUDGE SAUCE.

Shopping List

refrigerated fettuccine, medium shrimp, green onions, garlic, olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, half-and-half, less-fat cream cheese, pepper, fresh parsley, coarse salt, asparagus, Boston lettuce, baguettes, fudge sauce.