Sunday: Family

Try MARINATED BEEF FLANK STEAK WITH GRILLED PEPPERS for a family-day feast: Combine 1/2 cup Italian vinaigrette, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin. Place 1/3 cup marinade (reserve and refrigerate remaining marinade) and 1 1/2 pounds flank steak (1 inch thick) in resealable plastic bag; turn to coat. Marinate in refrigerator 6 to 24 hours. Remove steak from bag; discard marinade in bag. Heat grill to medium. Quarter 3 red, yellow or green (or mixture) bell peppers and brush with reserved marinade. Grill steak 17 to 21 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness; turn occasionally. Grill peppers 12 to 15 minutes or until tender; turn occasionally. Brush with additional marinade as desired, but not during last 5 minutes; discard marinade. Carve steak across grain into thin slices; serve immediately with peppers.

While the steak cooks, prepare YELLOW RICE from a mix. Heat canned reduced-sodium BLACK BEANS and top with salsa. Add CRUSTY BREAD. Make dessert light with ANGEL FOOD CAKE topped with fresh SLICED STRAWBERRIES and garnished with light whipped cream.

Plan

Marinate steak the day before if desired. Save enough steak and strawberries for Monday and enough cake for Tuesday.

Shopping List

Italian vinaigrette, limes, honey, cumin, flank steak, red, yellow or green bell peppers, yellow rice mix, canned reduced-sodium black beans, salsa, crusty bread, angel food cake, fresh strawberries, light whipped cream.

Monday: Heat and Eat

Make a STEAK SALAD using a packaged green salad mix: In a serving bowl, toss crumbled blue cheese, croutons, tomato wedges and sliced red onion with the greens. Toss with red wine vinaigrette. Fan thin slices of (leftover) steak on top and serve.

On the side, heat a cup of your favorite deli SOUP. Add WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For dessert, spoon leftover STRAWBERRIES over VANILLA ICE CREAM.

Plan

Save enough ice cream for Wednesday and Saturday.

Shopping List

packaged green salad, crumbled blue cheese, croutons, tomatoes, red onion, red wine vinaigrette, deli soup, whole-grain rolls, vanilla ice cream.

Tuesday: Express

For a fresh take on a classic, try REUBEN QUESADILLAS: Layer thinly sliced deli corned beef, some rinsed and drained refrigerated sauerkraut, a drizzle of Thousand Island dressing and shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese on a large flour tortilla. Top with second tortilla. Cook in a heated nonstick skillet over medium heat until the first side is lightly browned. Carefully turn and brown on other side to melt cheese. Cut into wedges before serving.

Buy GERMAN POTATO SALAD in the deli and add DILL PICKLES. Top leftover CAKE with PEACHES for dessert.

Shopping List

deli corned beef, refrigerated sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing, shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese, flour tortillas, deli German potato salad, dill pickles, peaches.

Wednesday: Kids

The kids will scarf down this RANCH CHICKEN: Heat oven to 400 degrees; coat a baking dish with cooking spray. Dip boneless skinless chicken breasts in light ranch dressing and then in dry breadcrumbs. Bake in a single layer in baking dish 15 to 25 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Serve with STEAK FRIES (from frozen) and GREEN BEANS. Add SOFT ROLLS. For dessert, who could resist a WAFFLE SUNDAE? Top toaster waffles (from frozen) with leftover ice cream. Drizzle with chocolate syrup and decorate with maraschino cherries and candy sprinkles.

Shopping List

cooking spray, boneless skinless chicken breast, light ranch dressing, dry breadcrumbs, frozen steak fries, green beans, soft rolls, frozen toaster waffles, chocolate syrup, maraschino cherries, candy sprinkles.

Thursday: Meatless

Think summer with this refreshing ORZO SALAD WITH CHICKPEAS. Add a CHOPPED ROMAINE AND FRESH MINT SALAD and some BREADSTICKS. For dessert, make instant CHOCOLATE PUDDING with 1% milk and top with crumbled chocolate sandwich cookies.

Shopping List

orzo pasta, green onions, crumbled Greek feta cheese, fresh dill, canned reduced-sodium chickpeas, lemons, extra-virgin olive oil, coarse salt, garlic, romaine lettuce, fresh mint, breadsticks, instant chocolate pudding mix, 1% milk, chocolate sandwich cookies.

Friday: Budget

You'll give this low-cost, always-popular COBB SALAD a thumbs-up. Add WHOLE-GRAIN ROLLS. For dessert, fresh PINEAPPLE CHUNKS are sweet and easy.

Shopping List

red wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, coarse salt, pepper, sugar, Dijon mustard, salad greens, fresh herbs (such as basil, parsley, mint and chives), avocado, eggs, sliced low-sodium deli turkey, tomatoes, bacon, crumbled blue cheese, whole-grain rolls, fresh pineapple.

Saturday: Easy Entertaining

We got rave reviews of this BROILED SALMON when we served it to our guests. The savory flavor goes well with ROASTED RED POTATOES. Add frozen PETITE GREEN PEAS WITH FRESH SLICED MUSHROOMS and a BOSTON LETTUCE SALAD.

For dessert, CANTALOUPE WITH ICE CREAM AND BLUEBERRIES is a fine finish: Place cantaloupe quarters in bowls. Fill each with a scoop of (leftover) ice cream and shower with fresh blueberries.

Shopping List

Dijon mustard, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, coarse salt, pepper, salmon fillets, cooking spray, red potatoes to roast, frozen petite green peas, fresh sliced mushrooms, Boston lettuce, cantaloupe, fresh blueberries.

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.