7-day menu planner

Fettuccine and Buttery Fresh Basil Tomato Sauce
Fettuccine and Buttery Fresh Basil Tomato Sauce

SUNDAY: Surprise the family with Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash (or another brand) spicy teriyaki marinade, 1 tablespoon canola oil, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, 1 teaspoon ground pepper and 3 cloves minced garlic. Spread mixture evenly on both sides of a 1 1/2-pound flank steak. Cover and refrigerate 3 to 4 hours. Remove steak and discard marinade. Grill over medium-high heat 9 minutes per side or to desired doneness. (Caution: Don't overcook, or it will be tough.) Remove from grill; cover and let stand 10 minutes. Slice steak diagonally across grain into thin strips and serve. Alongside, add Dill Rice. In a large bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups hot cooked brown rice, 1 (14-ounce) can drained quartered artichokes, 1/2 cup sliced green onions, 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, 1 1/2 teaspoons lime zest, 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil and coarse salt and pepper to taste. Toss to mix. Serve with steamed sugar snap peas and whole-grain rolls. Buy chocolate meringue pie for dessert.

Plan ahead: Save enough pie for Monday.

MONDAY: Try Amy's (or another brand) frozen roasted vegetable pizza for a quick meal. Serve the tasty, healthful pizza with a packaged Caesar salad. Slice the leftover pie for dessert.

TUESDAY: Save some money with Ham and Lentil Stew (see recipe) for an easy dinner. Add a lettuce wedge and crusty bread. Red and green grapes are a simple dessert.

Plan ahead: Save enough stew for Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY: Serve the leftover stew over cornbread tonight. Add a romaine salad. For dessert, fresh tropical fruit is good.

THURSDAY: Who needs meat when you have Fettuccine and Buttery Fresh Basil Tomato Sauce (see recipe) on the menu tonight? Serve the delicious pasta combo with a spinach salad and Italian bread. For dessert, chocolate ice cream should please everyone.

Plan ahead: Save enough ice cream for Friday.

FRIDAY: What could be more fun for the kids than a Green Monster for dinner? Make the "monsters" by spreading refrigerated guacamole over split bagels. Add eyes and a nose with sliced black olives, a crunchy mane with Chinese noodles, poppy seed freckles and a crown from sliced red bell peppers. Create other "monsters" with sliced carrots for eyes, cherry tomato halves for cheeks and alfalfa sprouts for hair. Add a glass of tomato juice or soup on the side. For dessert, try leftover ice cream with marshmallow topping.

SATURDAY: Our guests wanted seconds of Pan-Seared Trout With Italian-Style Salsa (see recipe), and so will yours. Serve the fish with parsley buttered orzo, fresh asparagus, a red-tipped lettuce salad and baguettes. Buy a berry cobbler for dessert.

THE RECIPES

Ham and Lentil Stew

1 cup diced ham

2 cups dried lentils

2 cups sliced carrots

2 cups thinly sliced celery

1 cup chopped onion

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 (14-ounce) cans unsalted chicken broth

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 (16-ounce) package frozen leaf spinach, thawed

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

In a 4-quart or larger slow cooker, combine ham, lentils, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, oregano and pepper. Add 3 cups water. Cook on high 4 to 5 hours, or on low 7 to 9 hours, or until lentils are tender. Stir in spinach; cover and cook 10 minutes on high or until tender. Thin with more water if necessary. Stir in lemon juice and serve.

Makes about 12 1/2 cups.

Nutrition information: Each serving contains approximately 164 calories, 13 g protein, 1 g fat, 27 g carbohydrate, 6 mg cholesterol, 225 mg sodium and 6 g fiber.

Carbohydrate choices: 2.

Fettuccine and Buttery Fresh Basil Tomato Sauce

8 ounces dry fettuccine

3 tablespoons butter, divided use

1 cup chopped sweet onion (such as Vidalia)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

1/4 teaspoon cracked pepper

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved lengthwise

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/2 cup sliced fresh basil leaves

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.

In a large skillet, melt half the butter on medium-high heat; cook onion, garlic, salt and pepper about 5 minutes or just until tender. Add tomatoes and cook 3 minutes or until tomatoes begin to wilt. Add wine; cook 2 minutes. Stir in reserved pasta water and remaining butter and cook until a sauce forms. Stir in basil and cooked pasta, tossing until evenly coated. Heat through, about 1 minute, and serve. (Adapted from a recipe by Gwynn Galvin, www.swirlsofflavor.com.)

Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition information: Each serving contains approximately 338 calories, 9 g protein, 10 g fat, 52 g carbohydrate, 23 mg cholesterol, 333 mg sodium and 3 g fiber.

Carbohydrate choices: 3 1/2.

Pan-Seared Trout With Italian-Style Salsa

For the salsa:

4 plum tomatoes

1/2 small red onion, chopped

12 pitted kalamata olives, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons capers

1/4 teaspoon coarse salt

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese with basil and tomatoes

For the fish:

6 (6-ounce) trout filets

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided use

Lemon slices for garnish

For the salsa: In a medium bowl, mix together all ingredients. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

For the trout: Sprinkle filets with salt and pepper. Heat half the oil in a large skillet on medium-high. Add 3 filets, skin side up, and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Peel off skin and turn; cook 1 to 2 minutes, or until fish is opaque and flakes with a fork. Repeat with remaining oil and filets. Top fish with salsa. Garnish with lemon slices and serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings.

Nutrition information: Each serving (prepared with reduced-fat feta) contains approximately 311 calories, 37 g protein, 16 g fat, 5 g carbohydrate, 102 mg cholesterol, 524 mg sodium and 1 g fiber.

Carbohydrate choices: 1/2.

Susan Nicholson is an Atlanta-based cookbook author and registered dietitian. She can be reached by email:

susan@7daymenu.com

Food on 09/12/2018

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