Sunday: Family
Surprise the family with PORK CHOPS WITH CORN SALSA. Heat 1 teaspoon canola oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium. Sprinkle 4 center-cut pork chops (3/4-inch thick, visible fat removed) with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Add chops and cook, turning once, 6 to 8 minutes or until meat near bone is barely pink or internal temperature is 145 degrees. Remove to platter; tent with foil to keep warm. To skillet, add 1 (11-ounce) can Mexicorn with liquid and 1 cup green or red salsa. Cook 2 or 3 minutes on medium or until hot. Spoon over chops; sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
Serve the colorful dish with rinsed reduced-sodium BLACK BEANS. Alongside, add a SLICED AVOCADO AND GRAPEFRUIT SALAD and CORN MUFFINS (from a mix). BAKED CUSTARD (from a mix) is a smooth dessert.
Shopping List
canola oil, center-cut pork chops, coarse salt, canned Mexicorn, green or red salsa, fresh cilantro, canned reduced-sodium black beans, avocado, grapefruit, lettuce (for salad), corn muffin mix, baked custard mix.
Monday: Kids
The kids can help prepare CHILI DOGS tonight. Heat canned turkey chili with beans and reduced-fat, reduced-sodium hot dogs (such as Applegate) in separate pans or use the microwave. Put hot dogs in toasted whole-grain buns and top with chili. Sprinkle a little shredded cheese on the top. On the side, munch on CARROT AND CELERY STICKS and DIP. Fresh TROPICAL FRUIT finishes the meal.
Shopping List
canned turkey chili with beans, reduced-fat and reduced-sodium hot dogs (such as Applegate), whole-grain hot dog buns, carrot and celery sticks, any dip, fresh tropical fruit.
Tuesday: Meatless
Make MONTE CRISTO SANDWICHES for a different cheese sandwich. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, beat 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites, 1/2 cup 1 percent milk and 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce. Put 2 slices Swiss cheese on each of 4 slices of dense white bread. Divide and spread 1 1/2 teaspoons (total) Dijon mustard on 4 more slices bread. Place mustard-side down on cheese. Dip both sides of sandwiches in egg mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake 15 to 18 minutes, turning once, until cheese melts and both sides are browned.
Serve with a LETTUCE AND TOMATO SALAD. PINEAPPLE SHERBET is good for dessert.
Plan
Save enough sherbet for Wednesday.
Shopping List
cooking spray, eggs, 1 percent milk, hot pepper sauce, Swiss cheese, dense white bread, Dijon mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pineapple sherbet.
Wednesday: Budget
Everyone can have steak on budget night -- SALISBURY STEAK, that is. Serve with MASHED POTATOES and flavor them with dill if desired. Add frozen petite GREEN PEAS and WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. Leftover SHERBET is dessert.
Shopping List
lean ground beef, onion, saltine cracker crumbs, egg, 1 percent milk, prepared horseradish, coarse salt, pepper, jarred mushroom gravy, potatoes to mash, dill if desired, frozen petite green peas, whole-grain bread.
Thursday: Family/Thanksgiving
Make your own ROAST TURKEY with all the family favorites of DRESSING, GRAVY, SWEET POTATOES and something new for the feast, BROCCOLI CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE.
If you want something besides CRANBERRY SAUCE, try SPICED CRANBERRY-PEAR CHUTNEY on the side. In a large saucepan, combine 3 large ripe pears cut into 1/2-inch pieces, 1 small chopped onion, 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup cider vinegar, 1 seeded and finely chopped fresh jalapeno pepper, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon allspice. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes or until thickened. Stir occasionally. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Add DINNER ROLLS. Everyone will want your PUMPKIN PIE for dessert.
Plan
Save enough turkey and pie for Friday and enough casserole for Saturday. Save the rest of the leftovers for future meals.
Shopping List
turkey, dressing, gravy, sweet potatoes, plain dry bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, butter, Italian seasoning, frozen broccoli florets, frozen cauliflower florets, onion, flour, garlic powder, coarse salt, coarse ground black pepper, 1 percent milk, Neufchatel cream cheese, cranberry sauce (if desired) or pears, sweetened dried cranberries, light brown sugar, cider vinegar, fresh jalapeno pepper, lime, allspice, dinner rolls, pumpkin pie.
Friday: Heat and Eat
Lighten up and use those leftovers for TURKEY NOODLE SOUP. Combine 3 (14-ounce) cans fat-free chicken broth, 1 cup water, 1 cup sliced carrots and 1 cup sliced celery in a large pot. Bring to boil; add 4 ounces no-yolk extra-wide noodles and boil 6 minutes or until noodles are almost tender. Add 1/2 cup frozen petite green peas and boil 1 minute or until noodles and vegetables are tender. Stir in 2 1/2 cups large shreds of cooked (leftover) turkey and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley; heat through.
Serve the soup with MIXED GREENS and CRACKERS. Slice the leftover PIE for dessert.
Plan
Prepare the lemon ice for Saturday if desired.
Shopping List
fat-free chicken broth, carrots, celery, no-yolk extra-wide noodles, frozen petite green peas, fresh parsley, salad greens, crackers.
Saturday: Easy Entertaining
For a change of pace, serve your guests BAKED SALMON WITH TOMATOES AND COUSCOUS. Add the leftover BROCCOLI CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE and CRUSTY BREAD.
Soothe your palate with LEMON ICE for dessert. In a food processor or blender, process 1 (12-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate (thawed), 3 cups ice cubes, 1 cup water and 1/3 cup sugar until smooth. Pour mixture into a 9-by-13-inch pan and freeze for 45 minutes. Process partially frozen mixture until smooth. Return to pan; freeze 8 hours. Scrape with fork before serving.
Shopping List
tomatoes, olive oil, coarse salt, dried oregano, garlic, pepper, couscous, skinless salmon fillets, crusty bread, frozen lemonade concentrate, sugar.