On the Menu This Week: The best thing on sliced bread

Planning a weekly menu is the best way to ensure healthy cooking and eating during the week. I usually don't think about it until Sunday evening or Monday morning when I write my ON THE MENU THIS WEEK column. I pick a balance of protein and fresh veggies, making sure to include a couple of meals that everyone enjoys. Then I shop. I get mostly everything I need for the week on Monday, though I do end up picking up other things later on, especially at the farmer's market. I find this way I have lots more time to do everything else I need to do that week.

Anyway, I've got a gorgeous flank steak on hand to make one of my favorite meals, the sandwich pictured here. It is quite possibly the best thing on sliced bread. I'll serve it with Roasted Red Potato Salad. The flank steak sandwich is a great meal at any time of year, but I especially enjoy it in the warmer weather with arugula and slow roasted tomatoes. Also on the menu this week is Shrimp & Broccoli, Beef Tacos with Spanish Rice and Guacamole, Lamb Gyros with Fresh Pita Bread, Taziki Sauce and Greek Salad, Pizza Margherita and a Salad, Hometown Trout with Baby Spinach Salad and Grilled Asparagus, and Tortilla Soup with Lime Cilantro Grilled Chicken. For an alternate trout recipe, check out Whole Rainbow Trout Baked in Foil from the New York Times.

I can't miss the chance to sing praise for Splash Shopper to organize your grocery and other shopping lists. Heather G. sent me this tidbit about Epicurious' iPhone app. I've played with the app a bit and found it to be a decent resource for ideas. The food is not as healthy as I'm inclined to cook but the technology is pretty cool. But it's worth checking out, ye iPhone/iTouch users.

Have a great week, everyone.