SUNDAY: Enjoy family day with Caesar Beef Kebabs (see recipe) on the menu. Serve the juicy kebabs with rice tossed with sliced green onions and chopped red bell pepper. Add fresh steamed yellow squash, a mixed-greens salad and whole-grain rolls to the feast. For dessert, top angel food cake with fresh raspberries and whipped cream.
Plan ahead: Prepare 2 extra kebabs and save enough raspberries for Monday.
MONDAY: Use Sunday's leftover beef kebabs for Southwestern Beef Hash. In a large skillet, cook 3 cups frozen o'brien potatoes for 5 minutes on medium-high. Stir in 1 cup salsa and the leftover diced kebabs. Continue cooking 8 to 10 minutes or until potatoes are lightly browned; stir occasionally. Garnish with sliced green onions and ripe olive slices. Serve with a crisp lettuce wedge and cornbread. Spoon leftover raspberries over vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Plan ahead: Save enough cornbread for Tuesday; save enough ice cream for Saturday.
TUESDAY: Beans are a tasty money-saver, as Fiesta Black Bean "Paella" proves. Cook 1 (8- to 10-ounce) package yellow rice mix according to package directions. To the cooked rice, add 1 (15-ounce) can black beans (rinsed) and 1 cup frozen petite green peas (thawed). Let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cook 6 to 8 ounces smoked turkey sausage (cut into 1/4-inch slices) on medium until lightly browned; stir in 2 medium chopped plum tomatoes to the sausage. Add to rice mixture; toss lightly and serve. Add a green salad and warm the leftover cornbread. For dessert, enjoy fresh pineapple.
WEDNESDAY: Before summer escapes, serve an all-time favorite, Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwiches, on whole-grain toast. Use garden tomatoes and spread a little mayonnaise on the toast. Add deli potato salad and dill pickles to the plate. Fresh sliced peaches are about the best dessert ever.
THURSDAY: Stay cool tonight with Tex-Mex Spuds. Microwave 4 (6- to 8-ounce) baking potatoes 8 to 12 minutes (or about 6 minutes per pound). Slash the tops and top with guacamole, salsa and sour cream. Serve with a bowl of corn chowder and add baked tortilla chips. For dessert, enjoy sliced cantaloupe.
Plan ahead: Bake extra potatoes for Friday.
FRIDAY: Treat the kids to ooey-gooey Chicken Cheddar Grill. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Layer French bread (sliced in half lengthwise) with shredded cheddar cheese, sliced deli chicken (or turkey), drained mild salsa and more cheese. Place on a cookie sheet and bake 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted; slice. Serve with Oven Potato Wedges. Cut leftover baked potatoes into wedges, coat with cooking spray and bake at 425 degrees until hot. Add deli carrot salad. Slice watermelon for dessert.
SATURDAY: Surprise your guests with Lemony Shrimp Risotto (see recipe). Serve the easy dish with a Boston lettuce salad and Italian bread. For dessert, Chile-Chocolate Brownies (see recipe) with leftover vanilla ice cream will be another surprise. Garnish with fresh raspberries if desired.
THE RECIPES
Caesar Beef Kebabs
1 pound boneless beef top sirloin, 1-inch thick
4 small new potatoes (about 1/2 pound), cut into quarters
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup noncreamy Caesar dressing such as Ken's
Coarse salt and pepper to taste
Cut beef into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Microwave potatoes on 100 percent power for 2 to 4 minutes or just until tender. Cool slightly.
In a large bowl, combine beef, potatoes, bell pepper and onion.
Reserve 2 tablespoons dressing; set aside.
Pour remaining dressing over kebab mixture and toss to coat. Alternately thread beef and vegetables onto metal skewers. Grill, uncovered, 10 to 12 minutes for medium-rare to medium; turn occasionally. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle kebabs with reserved dressing just before serving.
Note: To broil, put kebabs on rack in broiler pan. Broil 3 to 4 inches from heat for 8 to 10 minutes.
Makes 4 servings.
Nutrition information: Each serving contains approximately 250 calories, 23 g protein, 11 g fat, 15 g carbohydrate, 60 mg cholesterol, 299 mg sodium and 3 g fiber.
Carbohydrate choices: 1.
Lemony Shrimp Risotto
Juice of 1 large lemon
4 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium shallot, minced
2 cups arborio rice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 cup frozen petite green peas (thawed)
1 pound medium shrimp (with or without tails), shelled and deveined, OR 1 (12-ounce) package cooked frozen medium shrimp, thawed
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
Freshly grated parmesan cheese for garnish
In covered 2-quart pan, heat juice, broth and wine to boiling.
Meanwhile, in a 3-quart baking dish, microwave butter, olive oil and shallot, uncovered, for 2 minutes on high (100 percent power) or until shallot softens. Add rice; stir well to coat. Cook on high 1 minute. Stir hot liquid and lemon zest into rice mixture. Cover and cook on medium (50 percent power) 15 minutes or until most of liquid is absorbed; stir once. Stir in peas, shrimp, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on medium 3 to 4 minutes or just until shrimp turn opaque throughout and rice is tender but still firm; stir once. Garnish with parmesan and serve.
Makes about 8 cups.
Nutrition information: Each serving contains approximately 246 calories, 12 g protein, 3 g fat, 40 g carbohydrate, 74 mg cholesterol, 758 mg sodium and 2 g fiber.
Carbohydrate choices: 21/2.
Chile-Chocolate Brownies
1 (19.8-ounce, or family size) package chocolate fudge brownie mix
1 1/2 teaspoons ancho chile pepper powder
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile pepper powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips or chunks
Fresh raspberries for garnish, if desired
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare brownie mix according to package directions, stirring ancho and chipotle chile powders, cinnamon and vanilla extract into dry mix. Gently stir in chocolate chips. Spread batter into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with fudgy crumbs. Cool in pan. Cut into squares; garnish with raspberries if desired.
Makes 48 brownies.
Nutrition information: Each serving contains approximately 92 calories, 1 g protein, 5 g fat, 12 g carbohydrate, 8 mg cholesterol, 40 mg sodium and 1 g fiber.
Carbohydrate choices: 1.
Susan Nicholson is an Atlanta-based cookbook author and registered dietitian. She can be reached by email:
susan@7daymenu.com
Food on 09/03/2014