Sunday: Family

Fire up the family grill for your GRILLED BONELESS PORK CHOPS. Alongside, try PARMESAN COUSCOUS: Prepare 4 servings couscous according to package directions; stir in 1/4 cup chopped green onions, 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme.

Serve with ARUGULA AND STRAWBERRY SALAD: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon canola oil and 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt. Add 1 generous pint of fresh strawberries, hulled and halved, and a sprinkle of poppy seeds. Add 2 cups arugula; gently mix and serve immediately.

Add DINNER ROLLS. For dessert, buy a BOSTON CREAM PIE.

Plan

Prepare enough pork chops and save enough pie for Monday.

Shopping List

boneless pork chops, couscous, green onions, grated Parmesan cheese, dried thyme, low fat mayonnaise, sherry vinegar, honey, extra-virgin olive oil, canola oil, coarse salt, fresh strawberries, poppy seeds, arugula, dinner rolls, Boston cream pie.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Remodel the leftover pork into PORK PANINIS: Spread 1 to 2 teaspoons pesto on each of 8 slices Italian bread. Top 4 slices with thinly sliced cooked pork and thin slices of Provolone cheese; top each sandwich with remaining bread. Lightly brush outer surface of sandwiches with olive oil; grill, pressing down on bread, in a medium-hot skillet until toasted on both sides.

Serve with deli COLESLAW and SLICED AVOCADOS. Leftover PIE is dessert.

Shopping List

pesto, Italian bread, sliced Provolone cheese, olive oil, deli coleslaw, avocados.

Tuesday: Express

Make it quick tonight with FRENCH DIP SANDWICHES WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES: Split lengthwise a 12-ounce loaf of French bread. Spread with 1/4 cup creamy Dijon mustard. Fill with 12 ounces warmed deli-sliced roast beef and 1 1/2 pounds deli roasted vegetables. Cut loaf into quarters. Heat au jus gravy (from jar) and dip away.

Serve with CURLY FRIES (from frozen) and a packaged GREEN SALAD. For dessert, VANILLA ICE CREAM is easy.

Shopping List

French bread, creamy Dijon mustard, deli-sliced roast beef, deli roasted vegetables, jar au jus gravy, frozen curly fries, packaged green salad, vanilla ice cream.

Wednesday: Budget

I'm putting TUSCAN BEEF STEW into my favorites file for three reasons: It's delicious, simple to prepare and low in cost. Serve with a MIXED GREEN SALAD and GARLIC BREAD. Keep dessert simple with PEARS.

Shopping List

canned condensed tomato soup, canned condensed beef broth, red wine, well-trimmed beef stew meat, canned no-salt-added diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, fresh carrots, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, canned reduced-sodium cannellini beans, mixed greens, garlic bread, pears.

Thursday: Kids

Teach the kids about the ocean while they help prepare FISH STICKS (from frozen) for dinner. Serve with CREAMY PIEROGIES: In a large pan, cook 1 (16.9-ounce) package any flavor low-fat pierogies in boiling water about 5 minutes or until they float; drain and transfer to a serving bowl. Meanwhile, combine 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can less-sodium less-fat condensed cream of mushroom soup and 1 cup frozen peas and carrots. Microwave soup mixture on high (100% power) 3 to 4 minutes. Spoon over pierogies; toss to coat. Sprinkle with crumbled baked potato chips.

On the side, dip BABY CARROTS into ranch dressing for a power-packed crunch. Drink a STRAWBERRY-BANANA SHAKE for dessert: In a blender, combine 4 cups 1% milk, 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix, 1 medium banana (cut into chunks) and 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries. Blend for 1 minute or until smooth.

Shopping List

frozen fish sticks, any flavor low-fat pierogies, less-sodium less-fat condensed cream of mushroom soup, frozen peas and carrots, baked potato chips, baby carrots, ranch dressing, 1% milk, instant vanilla pudding mix, banana, fresh or frozen strawberries.

Friday: Meatless

Make your no-meat dinner a low-work dinner with this BLACK BEAN SOUP. While it cooks, prepare GRILLED CHEESE AND TOMATO SANDWICHES. Slice KIWIS for dessert.

Shopping List

canned reduced-sodium black beans, salsa, chile powder, unsalted chicken broth, shredded 50% reduced-fat cheddar cheese, reduced-fat sour cream, green onions, fresh cilantro, dense white bread, cheese and tomatoes to slice for sandwiches, kiwis.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

Serve your guests colorful and flavorful BAKED CHICKEN AND ORZO. Add a SPINACH SALAD WITH RED ONION RINGS and SOURDOUGH BREAD. Buy FRUIT TARTS for dessert.

Shopping List

unsalted chicken broth, garlic, onion, dried oregano, coarse salt, pepper, boneless chicken breasts, orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, halved Kalamata olives, capers, baby arugula, Boursin cheese, fresh spinach, red onion, sourdough bread, fruit tarts.

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.