EXPRESS THURSDAY

3/12

3/13

HEAT-AND-EAT MONDAY Prepare Chicken Rice Soup for tonight using Sunday’s leftovers. Shred any leftover chicken and thin the casserole with unsalted chicken broth. Add any leftover cooked vegetables such as carrots, peas or squash. Serve

3/14

KIDS TUESDAY Bring the kids off the range for

Cowboy Macaroni .Heatovento 450 degrees. Prepare 1 (14-ounce) package macaroni-and-cheese according to directions. Brown 1 pound extra-lean ground beef and 1 small chopped onion in a nonstick skillet on medium for 6 minutes or until meat is no longer pink; drain. In a 2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray, combine the macaroniand-cheese and the ground beef mixture, along with 1 (6-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato paste, 1 (8-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce and 1 cup frozen shoepeg corn (thawed); mix well. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through. Top with 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve with deli carrot salad and soft rolls. Kiwifruit is an easy dessert.

3/15

BUDGET WEDNESDAY For a tasty low-cost meal,

Mediterranean Tuna Salad is hard to beat. In a medium bowl, combine 2 (6-ounce) cans light tuna (drained and flaked), 3/4 cup dried tart cherries, 1/2 cup shredded carrots and 1/2 cup chopped celery. Add 1/2 cup reduced-fat balsamic vinaigrette, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours for flavors to blend. Just before serving on red-tip lettuce, sprinkle with toasted pine nuts. Serve with any tomato basil soup and bread sticks. For dessert, pears are good.

3/16

Let someone else do all the work and serve refrigerated fully cooked

Beef Pot Roast (any brand). On the side, add mashed potatoes (refrigerated), cauliflower au

gratin (frozen) and whole-grain bread. Fresh citrus fruit is a light dessert.

3/17

MEATLESS FRIDAY Enjoy the hearty flavors of VeggieStuffed Pasta Shells (see recipe). Serve them with a lettuce

wedge and garlic bread. Peaches are your dessert.

3/18

EASY ENTERTAINING SATURDAY Colorful Orange-Tomato Shrimp Veracruz (see recipe) is worthy of any guest. Serve it over packaged yellow rice, along with a Boston lettuce salad and baguettes .Buy

a frozen key lime pie for dessert.