7 Day Menu Planner

Sunday: Family

Celebrate Easter with SMOKY BARBECUED LEG OF LAMB: In a large bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons chile powder, 2 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon ground coriander and 1 tablespoon cumin. Add a 5-pound trimmed and butterflied leg of lamb; rub in spices. Let stand 1 hour. Grill on a hot grill 8 to 10 minutes or until charred. Meanwhile, mix 2 tablespoons honey and 2 tablespoons ketchup. Turn lamb; brush grilled side with honey glaze. Grill 8 to 10 minutes more, or until internal temperature reaches 135 degrees. Let stand 10 minutes or until the internal temperature is 145 degrees for medium-rare. Thinly slice lamb crosswise.

Serve with OLD-FASHIONED PEA SALAD and any BROCCOLI SLAW. (Stir shredded red cabbage into the slaw for some color.) Fill the breadbasket with WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. Decorate a COCONUT CAKE with jelly beans.

Plan

Save enough lamb and cake for Monday.

Shopping List

leg of lamb, chile powder, paprika, ground coriander, cumin, butterflied leg of lamb, honey, ketchup, reduced-fat mayonnaise, reduced-fat sour cream, apple cider vinegar, fresh dill, coarse salt, pepper, frozen peas, shredded cheddar cheese, bacon, red onion, any broccoli slaw, red cabbage, whole-grain rolls, coconut cake, jelly beans.

Monday: Heat and Eat

For STUFFED PITAS tonight, cook 1 cup couscous according to package directions. Chop 3/4 cup (leftover) lamb. In a large bowl, mix lamb, couscous, 1/3 cup shredded carrots, 1/2 cup chopped cucumbers, 1/4 cup sliced green onions, 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds, 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard and coarse salt and pepper to taste. Line 4 whole-grain pita pockets with lettuce; divide lamb mixture evenly and stuff into pitas.

Serve with BAKED POTATO CHIPS. Slice leftover CAKE for dessert.

Shopping List

couscous, carrots, cucumbers, green onions, slivered almonds, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, coarse salt, pepper, whole-grain pita pockets, lettuce, baked potato chips.

Tuesday: Express

A good GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH always gets my attention, so you can see why we saluted this one made with white cheddar cheese, tomato slices and bacon on sourdough bread. (Grill on the cheese side of the sandwich first so the bacon stays crisp.) Add any deli SOUP and a packaged GREEN SALAD for a delicious meal. Enjoy VANILLA ICE CREAM for dessert.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Friday.

Shopping List

white cheddar cheese, tomatoes, bacon, sourdough bread, any deli soup, packaged green salad, vanilla ice cream.

Wednesday: Kids

Be a teacher and show the kids how to make MINI PIZZAS in no time flat: Spread about 2 tablespoons meaty pasta sauce on toasted slices of Italian bread (1/2 inch thick). Top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Microwave 1 minute on high (100% power) or until cheese melts. Serve with a CHOPPED LETTUCE WITH ORANGE SECTIONS SALAD.

Wow 'em with BERRIES AND CREAM for dessert for a fruit-filled meal: Use a spoon to gently mix together 1/2 cup blackberries, 1/2 cup raspberries, 1 cup sliced strawberries, 1 cup blueberries and 2 cups whipped topping. Spoon into 4 waffle cones. Dust top with cocoa powder if desired.

Tip

Be a teacher and show the kids how to make MINI PIZZAS in no time flat: Spread about 2 tablespoons meaty pasta sauce on toasted slices of Italian bread (1/2 inch thick). Top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Microwave 1 minute on high (100% power) or until cheese melts. Serve with a CHOPPED LETTUCE WITH ORANGE SECTIONS SALAD.

Wow 'em with BERRIES AND CREAM for dessert for a fruit-filled meal: Use a spoon to gently mix together 1/2 cup blackberries, 1/2 cup raspberries, 1 cup sliced strawberries, 1 cup blueberries and 2 cups whipped topping. Spoon into 4 waffle cones. Dust top with cocoa powder if desired.

Shopping List

meaty pasta sauce, Italian bread, shredded mozzarella cheese, lettuce, oranges, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, whipped topping, waffle cones, cocoa powder if desired.

Thursday: Budget

Skip high food costs but enjoy the flavor of PORK CHOPS, SAUERKRAUT AND APPLES. Some people will want SPICY MUSTARD, too. Serve with MASHED POTATOES, PICKLED BEETS and RYE BREAD alongside. GINGERSNAPS are a simple dessert.

Shopping List

sweet potatoes, onions, Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, pepper, boneless pork chops, refrigerated sauerkraut, spicy mustartd (if desired), potatoes to mash, pickled beets, rye bread, gingersnaps.

Friday: Meatless

You won't miss meat when you serve TANDOORI GARBANZO AND TOMATO STEW. It goes well with an aromatic rice such as BASMATI RICE. Serve with a MIXED GREEN SALAD and FLATBREAD. Leftover ICE CREAM is an easy dessert.

Shopping List

olive oil, onion, garlic, fresh gingerroot, garam masala or curry powder, canned diced no-salt-added fire-roasted tomatoes, canned reduced-sodium chickpeas, fresh cilantro, lemon, coarse salt, plain yogurt or reduced-fat sour cream, coarse salt, basmati rice, mixed greens, flatbread.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Grill STEAKS for your guests. Buy 6- to 8-ounce beef chuck eye or flat iron steaks.

On the side, slow-roasted LEMON ROASTED POTATOES AND CARROTS are delicious: Heat oven to 325 degrees. Place 6 to 8 peeled and quartered medium potatoes and 4 medium carrots (cut into 1-inch pieces) in a roasting pan in one layer. Whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard and coarse salt and pepper to taste. Pour over potatoes and carrots; toss to coat. Bake 2 to 3 hours or until tender.

Add a ROMAINE SALAD and CRUSTY BREAD. For dessert, STRAWBERRY SORBET and BUTTER COOKIES are all you need.

Shopping List

chuck eye or flat iron steaks to grill, potatoes, fresh carrots, olive oil, lemons, dry mustard, coarse salt, pepper, romaine, crusty bread, strawberry sorbet, butter cookies.

Sunday: Family

Keep family day simple with your own ROAST TURKEY BREAST. Pair it with these OVEN-ROASTED SWEET POTATOES AND ONIONS: Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, combine 2 1/4 pounds (about 4 medium) peeled sweet potatoes (cut into 2-inch pieces), 1 pound chopped sweet onions (such as Vidalia), 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon garlic-pepper blend and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt; toss to coat. Bake 35 minutes or until tender; stir occasionally.

While the potatoes bake, prepare SPICY BRUSSELS SPROUTS: Halve and shred 1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high. Add 1 small seeded and chopped fresh jalapeno pepper and 1 clove minced garlic; cook 2 minutes or until tender. Add sprouts; cook 2 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar and cook 1 minute. Serve immediately.

Add PICKLED BEETS alongside. Finish the meal with warm BREAD PUDDING.

Plan

Save enough turkey for Monday and Tuesday; save enough bread pudding for Monday.

Shopping List

turkey breast to roast, sweet potatoes, sweet onions (such as Vidalia), extra-virgin olive oil, garlic-pepper blend, coarse salt, fresh Brussels sprouts, butter, fresh jalapeno pepper, garlic, sugar, pickled beets, bread pudding.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Use some of the leftover turkey in TURKEY TORTELLINI SOUP. Add a LETTUCE WEDGE and CRACKERS on the side. Warm the leftover BREAD PUDDING for dessert.

Shopping List

unsalted chicken broth, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, canned reduced-sodium white beans, sliced fresh mushrooms, fresh spinach, refrigerated cheese tortellini, Parmesan cheese, lettuce, crackers.

Tuesday: Kids

Call the kids for DAGWOOD DELI SANDWICHES: Cut a 1-pound loaf of French bread into 4 to 6 equal pieces and then halve horizontally. Brush cut sides of bread with honey-mustard salad dressing. Layer bottom half with thin slices of deli ham, thinly sliced (leftover) turkey, 50% reduced-fat cheddar cheese slices, sliced tomatoes and shredded lettuce. Top with remaining bread. Secure with wooden picks, cut in half and serve.

Add deli CARROT SALAD on the side. Buy CUPCAKES and serve them with PEACHES for dessert.

Shopping List

French bread, honey-mustard salad dressing, deli ham, 50% reduced fat cheddar cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, deli carrot salad, cupcakes, peaches.

Wednesday: Express

Make it a quick meal tonight with deli TUNA SALAD. Stir grape halves and toasted walnuts into the tuna salad for extra flavor, and serve it on a bed of mixed greens. Add WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS on the side. Munch on PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES for dessert.

Shopping List

deli tuna salad, grapes, walnuts, mixed greens, whole-grain rolls, peanut butter cookies.

Thursday: Budget

Revisit the economical soup theme with this CHICKPEA AND PASTA SOUP. Serve with a SPINACH SALAD with hard-boiled egg wedges and add CRUSTY BREAD. Fresh PINEAPPLE SPEARS are good for dessert.

Shopping List

canned reduced-sodium chickpeas, unsalted chicken broth, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, fresh rosemary, crushed red pepper, coarse salt, black pepper, short pasta such as ditalini or tubetti, fresh spinach, eggs, crusty bread, fresh pineapple spears.

Friday: Meatless

These MUSHROOM SLOPPY JOES prove that you don't have to use meat for a good flavor: In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon canola oil on medium. Add 1 pound chopped fresh white mushrooms; cook and stir 8 minutes or until browned and liquid has evaporated. Stir in 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can sloppy Joe sauce. Cook mixture 3 minutes or until thick. Divide and spoon mushroom mixture on bottom of each of 4 split and toasted whole-grain hamburger buns; add tops.

Serve immediately with heated canned VEGETARIAN BAKED BEANS. Add a MIXED GREEN SALAD. Bring even more happiness by serving VANILLA ICE CREAM with toasted coconut and chocolate chips for dessert.

Tip

These MUSHROOM SLOPPY JOES prove that you don't have to use meat for a good flavor: In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon canola oil on medium. Add 1 pound chopped fresh white mushrooms; cook and stir 8 minutes or until browned and liquid has evaporated. Stir in 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can sloppy Joe sauce. Cook mixture 3 minutes or until thick. Divide and spoon mushroom mixture on bottom of each of 4 split and toasted whole-grain hamburger buns; add tops.

Serve immediately with heated canned VEGETARIAN BAKED BEANS. Add a MIXED GREEN SALAD. Bring even more happiness by serving VANILLA ICE CREAM with toasted coconut and chocolate chips for dessert.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Saturday.

Shopping List

canola oil, fresh white mushrooms, canned sloppy Joe sauce, whole-grain hamburger buns, canned vegetarian baked beans, mixed greens, vanilla ice cream, coconut, chocolate chips.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Invite friends for HONEY-ORANGE PORK CHOPS: Mix 1/3 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro leaves, 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Place 4 (1/2-inch-thick) boneless pork chops in a resealable plastic bag. Reserve 3 tablespoons marinade and add remainder to bag. Seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate 1 to 3 hours, turning several times. Remove pork; discard marinade. Broil or grill over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees, brushing with reserved marinade halfway through cooking.

Serve the chops with ASIAN RICE PILAF. Add a BIBB LETTUCE SALAD and SOURDOUGH ROLLS. Layer leftover ICE CREAM with fresh strawberries in stemmed glasses and top with a dollop of light whipped cream for a festive dessert.

Shopping List

orange juice, honey, olive oil, fresh cilantro, seasoned salt, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, boneless pork chops, onion, garlic, sesame oil, lower-sodium beef broth, long-grain white rice, lower-sodium soy sauce, crushed red pepper, green onions, red bell pepper, sesame seeds, bibb lettuce, sourdough rolls, fresh strawberries, light whipped cream.

Sunday: Family

This simple LEMON ROAST CHICKEN is just right for family day: Heat oven to 375 degrees. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over a 4 1/2- to 5-pound chicken; put rind in cavity. Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Brush chicken with canola oil; sprinkle with coarse salt and dried thyme. Roast 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Serve the juicy bird with your own MASHED POTATOES and GRAVY. Add fresh steamed BRUSSELS SPROUTS and a ROMAINE SALAD on the side. Don't forget the DINNER ROLLS! For dessert, STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM is simple, too.

Plan

Save enough chicken for Monday. Make 2 extra cups mashed potatoes and save enough ice cream for Tuesday.

Shopping List

chicken to roast, lemon, canola oil, coarse salt, dried thyme, potatoes to mash, gravy, fresh Brussels sprouts, romaine, dinner rolls, strawberry ice cream.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Use the leftover chicken in CHICKEN AND CHIVE FETTUCCINE. Serve with a LETTUCE WEDGE with crumbled blue cheese and BREADSTICKS. For dessert, PEACHES are just peachy.

Shopping List

spinach-flavored or other fettuccine, olive oil, grape tomatoes, chive-and-onion cream cheese, Italian seasoning, lettuce, crumbled blue cheese, breadsticks, peaches.

Tuesday: Budget

It's always fun to try salmon prepared in a new way, so this SALMON CHOWDER fits the bill: Cook 1 (10-ounce) package frozen corn in butter sauce according to directions. In a large bowl, combine the cooked corn, 1 (14 3/4-ounce) can drained salmon, 2 cups (leftover) mashed potatoes, 1 cup 1% milk and 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper. Microwave on high (100% power) 3 or 4 minutes or until hot. Mix well; stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Serve with a deli CARROT SALAD and BREADSTICKS. For dessert, leftover ICE CREAM is waiting.

Shopping List

frozen corn in butter sauce, canned salmon, 1% milk, red bell pepper, lemon, fresh parsley, deli carrot salad, breadsticks.

Wednesday: Express

Give yourself a break and pick up a package of BARBECUE PULLED PORK for dinner tonight. Heat it and serve on toasted WHOLE-GRAIN BUNS. Top with sliced DILL OR JALAPENO PICKLES. Stop by the deli for COLESLAW. For dessert, make instant VANILLA PUDDING with 1% milk and swirl in a little honey.

Plan

Save enough barbecue pork for Thursday.

Shopping List

barbecue pulled pork, whole-grain buns, sliced dill or jalapeno pickles, deli coleslaw, instant vanilla pudding mix, 1% milk, honey.

Thursday: Kids

Reinvent yesterday's barbecue pork into BARBECUE TACOS. Heat and spoon the leftover meat into warmed taco shells. Add mild salsa, chopped lettuce and chopped tomatoes. Top with any shredded cheese and reduced-fat sour cream.

The tacos go well with heated canned REFRIED BEANS. For dessert, halve some KIWIS and eat them with a spoon.

Shopping List

taco shells, mild salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, any shredded cheese, reduced-fat sour cream, canned refried beans, kiwis.

Friday: Meatless

Keep it simple tonight with BROILED PEPPER JACK CHEESE AND ROASTED RED PEPPER SANDWICHES. Heat broiler. Drain the red peppers (from jar) on paper towels before placing on rye bread. Top with cheese slices. Broil until cheese melts. Serve with O'BRIEN POTATOES (from frozen) and STEAMED BROCCOLI. PEARS are dessert.

Shopping List

jar roasted red peppers, rye bread, pepper Jack cheese slices, frozen O'Brien potatoes, broccoli, pears.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

This SHRIMP SCAMPI couldn't be easier to prepare. Serve it over ORZO. On the side, these AIR FRYER PARMESAN GREEN BEANS would impress any guest. Add a MIXED GREEN SALAD and SOURDOUGH BREAD. Buy FRUIT TARTS for dessert.

Shopping List

butter, uncooked shrimp with tails, green onion, garlic powder, parsley, pepper, white wine or lemon, orzo, fresh green beans, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, coarse salt, mixed greens, sourdough bread, fruit tarts.