Sun: Mother’s day! If you don’t have a family tradition – start one!

Mon: Mozzarella Chicken. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread some olive oil in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange 1 ½ lb. skinless, boneless chicken parts in the dish– place pieces close together, cover with 1 ½ cup ranch dressing, bake for 20 minutes, remove from heat, top with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, and return to the oven. Continue cooking for about 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned and the chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

Tues: Marinated Flank Steak. Combine 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp. salt, 2 cloves garlic, minced, and 1/4 tsp. dry mustard in glass dish; marinate 1 lb. flank steak overnight, turning 2-3 times. Grill until slightly pink. Slice thinly at an angle. Serves 3 to 4.

Tomato Cucumber Salad. In lidded container, combine 1/4 cup salad oil, 3 Tbs. lemon juice, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. dry mustard, 1/8 tsp. garlic powder, and freshly ground pepper; shake well to mix. Combine 2 tomatoes, cut into wedges, 1 cucumber, scored & sliced, and 1/4 cup ripe olives. Pour dressing over vegetables, cover and refrigerate several hours, spooning dressing over vegetables occasionally. Lift vegetables from dressing with slotted spoon. Serve on lettuce leaves, if desired. Makes 4 servings.

Wed: Sea Bass. Coat each sea bass filet with ½ tsp. chili oil. Combine in small bowl 1 tsp. sea salt, 1 tsp. pepper, and 1 tsp. dried thyme. Sprinkle evenly over each filet. Serve with fancy mashed potatoes: boil potatoes and 1 package Green Giant boil-in-bag cream spinach. Drain and mash potatoes as normal. Add cream spinach and mash one minute longer. Serve with side of fresh squash.

Thur: Cook’s night off, order pizza!

Fri: Szechwan Chicken. Sauté 1 lb. chicken tenders in 2 tsp. sesame oil, sprinkle with ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes and stir-fry for 3 minutes over medium-high heat. Add one 10 oz. package of fresh stir-fry veggies and ¼ cup Teriyaki sauce. Stir-fry 5 minutes longer. Serve with frozen prepared spring rolls and steamed rice. Stir fry without the chopping! YES!

Sat: Chicken and Black Bean Quesadillas: Drain one can black beans and mash well. Spread on flour tortilla. Top with pre-cooked, roasted chicken (purchased in the deli section), Monterrey jack cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, fresh chopped tomato and pickled jalapeño. Grill in lightly buttered skillet, 5 minutes on each side. Serve with chopped fresh mango, tossed with 1 t rice vinegar, and 2 T chopped green onions; chips and salsa.