Sunday: Family
Let your all-American dad show off his cooking skills with MAPLEWOOD-SMOKED BACON BEER BURGERS with all the trimmings. Serve with SPICY BLACK BEAN SALAD alongside: In a medium bowl, combine 1 (15-ounce) can rinsed reduced-sodium black beans, 1 large peeled orange cut into 1/2-inch pieces, 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice and 2 tablespoons canola oil; mix gently.
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Add CORN ON THE COB to the menu. For dessert, present Dad with your BROWNIES and a scoop of VANILLA ICE CREAM on the side.
Plan
Cook 2 extra burgers and save enough brownies for Monday. Save enough ice cream for Tuesday.
Shopping List
96% lean ground beef, beer, Worcestershire sauce, whole-grain hamburger buns, sliced 50% reduced-fat cheddar cheese, extra-thick sliced maplewood-smoked bacon, low-fat mayonnaise, spicy mustard, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, canned reduced-sodium black beans, orange, green onions, limes, canola oil, corn on the cob, ingredients for brownies, vanilla ice cream.
MAPLEWOOD-SMOKED BACON BEER BURGERS
Servings: makes 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 8 to 10 minutes
- 1 pound 96% lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup beer
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 whole-grain hamburger buns, split
- 4 slices 50% reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- 4 extra-thick slices maplewood-smoked bacon, cut in half, cooked crisp
- Low-fat mayonnaise, spicy mustard, tomatoes, lettuce and onions for garnish
Combine ground beef, beer and Worcestershire sauce in a medium bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four 1/2-inch-thick patties. Place patties in center of grill over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, uncovered, turning occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees (7 to 9 minutes on a preheated gas grill set to medium). About 2 minutes before burgers are done, place buns, cut side down, on grill. Grill until lightly toasted. During last minute of grilling, top each burger with cheese. Remove from grill, placing burgers on bottom buns; top with bacon slices. Garnish as desired and close sandwiches.
Per serving: 521 calories, 42 grams protein, 26 grams fat (43% calories from fat), 9.8 grams saturated fat, 34 grams carbohydrate, 101 milligrams cholesterol, 953 milligrams sodium, 7 grams fiber.
Monday: Heat and Eat
Make BEEF ROLL-UPS for a quick meal: Crumble and heat the leftover burgers. In a medium bowl, mix the crumbled burgers, 3 cups torn fresh spinach leaves, 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese, 1/2 medium red bell pepper cut into strips, 1/4 cup sliced green onions and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Place four 7- to 8-inch flour tortillas on a square of waxed paper. Divide beef mixture and spoon down center of each tortilla. Microwave each for 30 seconds on high (100% power). Roll; cut crosswise into quarters. Serve hot and add RICE on the side. Bite into the leftover BROWNIES for dessert.
Shopping List
fresh spinach, shredded pepper jack cheese, red bell pepper, green onions, fresh cilantro, flour tortillas, rice.
Tuesday: Meatless
Start your no-meat meal with MINESTRONE soup. Add a TEX-MEX SALAD and some CRACKERS. For dessert, top leftover ICE CREAM with BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE.
Shopping List
minestrone soup, canned reduced-sodium pinto beans, canned chickpeas, orange, yellow bell pepper, fresh cilantro, orange or regular vinaigrette, chile powder, radishes, avocado, eggs, crackers, butterscotch sauce.
TEX-MEX SALAD
Servings: makes 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: none
- 1 (15- to 16-ounce) can reduced-sodium pinto beans, rinsed
- 1 (15- to 16-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed
- 1 peeled orange with white pith removed, quartered lengthwise and sliced
- 1 small yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup bottled orange or regular vinaigrette
- 3/4 teaspoon chile powder
- 6 red radishes
- 1 avocado
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
In a large bowl, combine beans, chickpeas, orange, bell pepper, cilantro, vinaigrette and chile powder; toss to mix and coat. Before serving, thinly slice radishes; peel and dice avocado. Add both to bean mixture; toss to mix and coat. Top with sliced eggs. Serve immediately.
Per serving: 344 calories, 10 grams protein, 25 grams fat (59% calories from fat), 3.9 grams saturated fat, 30 grams carbohydrate, 93 milligrams cholesterol, 490 milligrams sodium, 11 grams fiber.
Wednesday: Express
Buy ROASTED CHICKEN from the deli along with TABBOULEH and some CARROT SALAD. Add FLATBREAD to your meal. Pick up some BANANA PUDDING for a homey dessert.
Shopping List
deli roasted chicken, tabbouleh, carrot salad, flatbread, banana pudding.
Thursday: Budget
Be budget-conscious and try flavorful TURKEY CHILI to up your fiber, folate, potassium and vitamin C. Serve the nutrition-packed dish with BROWN RICE, a LETTUCE WEDGE and CORNBREAD (from mix). FRESH STRAWBERRIES with light whipped cream make a great dessert.
Plan
Save enough chili for Friday.
Shopping List
canola oil, ground turkey breast, onion, green bell pepper, chile powder, cumin, garlic powder, black pepper, canned no-salt-added stewed tomatoes, canned unsalted chicken broth, no-salt-added tomato juice or tomato-vegetable blend, canned reduced-sodium pinto beans, frozen corn, red onion, brown rice, lettuce, cornbread mix, fresh strawberries, light whipped cream.
TURKEY CHILI
Servings: makes 6 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: about 35 minutes
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 pound ground turkey breast
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chile powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can no-salt-added stewed tomatoes, with liquid
- 1 (14-ounce) can unsalted chicken broth
- 3/4 cup no-salt-added tomato juice (or tomato-vegetable blend)
- 1 (15-ounce) can reduced-sodium pinto beans, rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 small red onion, chopped
Heat oil in a large pot on medium. Add turkey; cook 5 minutes or until no longer pink. Add onion; cook 6 minutes or until softened. Add green pepper, chile powder, cumin, garlic powder and black pepper. Cook 4 minutes or until green pepper is softened and spices are fragrant. Stir in tomatoes with liquid, chicken broth, tomato juice, beans and corn; cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes; stir occasionally. Serve immediately; garnish with red onion.
Per serving: 232 calories, 25 grams protein, 4 grams fat (14% calories from fat), 0.5 gram saturated fat, 28 grams carbohydrate, 53 milligrams cholesterol, 506 milligrams sodium, 8 grams fiber.
Friday: Kids
Make TURKEY CHILI TACOS for the kids: Warm the leftover chili and spoon into warmed taco shells. Top with shredded 50% reduced-fat cheddar cheese, mild salsa and reduced-fat sour cream.
Add vegetarian REFRIED BEANS to the plate. Dip JICAMA STICKS into ranch dressing for some crunch. Kids young and old will like FREEZER POPS for dessert.
Shopping List
taco shells, 50% reduced-fat cheddar cheese, mild salsa, reduced-fat sour cream, vegetarian refried beans, jicama, ranch dressing, freezer pops.
Saturday: Easy Entertaining
Treat guests to FLOUNDER WITH ASIAN GLAZE and enjoy the zesty flavor: Heat broiler. Coat one side of 4 (6-ounce) flounder fillets with cooking spray. Place, coated side down, on rack in broiler pan. Combine 1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon less-sodium soy sauce, 2 teaspoons peeled and grated fresh ginger, and 1 seeded and minced fresh jalapeno pepper. Spread mixture over flounder; broil 4 minutes or until mayonnaise mixture is lightly browned and fish is opaque throughout.
Serve with RICE and steamed FRESH ASPARAGUS. Add a BOSTON LETTUCE SALAD and a BAGUETTE. For dessert, buy a CHEESECAKE and top it with fresh BLUEBERRIES.
Shopping List
flounder fillets, cooking spray, low-fat mayonnaise, less-sodium soy sauce, fresh ginger, fresh jalapeno pepper, rice, fresh asparagus, Boston lettuce, baguette, cheesecake, fresh blueberries.