7day menu planner
SUNDAY: Aromatic and delicious, Pork Chops With Fruited Couscous (see recipe) will be a family favorite. Serve the combination with fresh broccoli and whole-grain rolls. For dessert, try strawberry ice cream.
Plan ahead: Save enough ice cream for Tuesday.
MONDAY: Manicotti With Spinach and Ricotta (see recipe) takes a little extra time, but the result is worth it. Serve the no-meat entree with a lettuce wedge and garlic bread. Fresh pineapple is a simple dessert.
TUESDAY: Teach the kids how to make chicken fingers tonight. Serve with oven fries and baby carrots with hummus to dip, rounding out the meal. Leftover ice cream works for dessert.
WEDNESDAY: For a fast dinner, enjoy Mediterranean Tuna Salad. Combine 2 (8-ounce) packages Mediterranean salad greens (or other lettuce mix) in a large bowl. Add 2 small cucumbers (peeled, sliced and seeded), 1 cup cooked green beans, 1 pint grape tomatoes (halved), 1 (12-ounce) can water-packed light tuna (drained), ¼ cup Greek salad dressing, some crumbled basil and tomato feta cheese, and 10 sliced kalamata olives. Toss to mix and coat. Serve with any vegetable soup and bread sticks. Add fresh tropical fruits for dessert.
THURSDAY: Celebrate Thanksgiving with the family with the traditional turkey, gravy, dressing and mashed potatoes. Introduce Pomegranate Glazed Carrots (see recipe), a new twist for a side-dish favorite. Add any cranberry sauce to the special occasion. Finish the feast with a small piece of pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream. Plan ahead: Save enough turkey for Friday and enough pie for Saturday.
FRIDAY: Use some of the leftover turkey in Cashew Turkey Pitas. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups diced leftover turkey, ½ cup sliced celery and
1/3 cup chopped cashews. In a small bowl, mix together ¼ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons mango chutney and ½ teaspoon curry powder. Spoon dressing over turkey mixture and toss until well-blended. Halve 2 pieces of pita bread; stuff each half with turkey mixture. Serve with couscous and cucumber spears. Peaches sprinkled with nutmeg are dessert. SATURDAY: For a change of pace and an economical entree, Hamburger Soup has a good flavor. Heat a Dutch oven to medium; add 1 pound lean ground beef, 1 medium chopped onion and 2 cloves garlic (minced). Cook 6 minutes or until beef is no longer pink and onions are softened; drain. Add 2 medium Yukon gold potatoes (peeled and diced), 3 ½ cups unsalted beef broth, 1 (28-ounce) can no-salt-added
diced tomatoes with juice, 1 (8-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 bay leaf, and coarse salt and pepper to taste. Simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Add 3 cups fresh or frozen mixed vegetables and any leftover vegetables on hand. Simmer 15 more minutes or until potatoes are tender. Serve with mixed greens and wholegrain crackers, and have some leftover pie for dessert.