Cross rib roast is a bargain this week and can be
stretched to cover two meals.

Other food bargains this week include broccoli for 67 and 68 cents a pound at Times and Daiei, respectively; fresh Chinese peas for $1.39 a pound at IGH (Independent Grocers of Hawaii) and fresh Maui cabbage for 29 cents at Sack 'n Save, 39 cents at Safeway and 59 cents at Times.

Also, skinless, boneless chicken thighs are $1.99 a pound at Safeway, and ground turkey or chicken is 78 cents at Foodland.

Sweeten the deal with best-buy cantaloupe at 33 cents a pound at Star, honeydew for 37 cents at Daiei and Sack 'n Save, and both melons at 39 cents at Safeway.

A week's easy menu might feature braised boneless cross-rib roast Thursday and hot roast beef sandwiches Saturday; stir-fried chicken and Chinese peas Friday and grilled teriyaki chicken with a side of Maui cabbage slaw Tuesday; sloppy Toms with ground turkey on Monday, turkey and macaroni casserole Sunday, and turkey meatballs with a favorite sweet-sour sauce or dill-yogurt sauce Wednesday.

To braise a boneless cross-rib roast with sliced mushrooms and barley, brown the roast in a tablespoon of oil, then remove it from the pan.

Saute sliced mushrooms, onions and garlic. Deglaze the pan with 1-1/2 cups beef broth and a bay leaf.

Return the roast to the pan, cover tightly and simmer 1-1/2 hours for a 3-pound roast.

Add a half cup medium pearl barley and simmer 45 to 60 minutes longer. Slice the beef and grind.