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Creamy Leek Pie
Z3-Sides,Z3-Vegetarian,ZSpecialties,Z3-Entrees,ZS-Zola to Go
This recipe makes a yummy vegetarian lunch or side dish to go with a protein. I also put it in Zola to GO! because it can travel to a buffet.
Beefy Pasta Casserole
Z3.5-Entrees,ZSpecialties,Z3.5-Beef,ZS-Zola to Go
Pasta doesn’t have to be banned from ZLife. You just need to limit it and monitor how you use it. If you keep in mind that a FULL portion is a half cup cooked you’re on the right track. And just eat it on a special occasion.
Chili #4
Z2-Soup,ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees,Z2-Beef,ZS-Zola to Go
I have designed several chili recipes for Plan Z. This is one of those that is very straightforward and simple. It doesn’t even have a lot of ingredients.
Turkey or Chicken Meatloaf
For a change of pace you can try a unique meatloaf. This one comes with an optional extra sauce in case you want to really ramp up the flavor.
Healthy Orange Creamsicle
ZS-Dieter Favorites,ZSpecialties,Z2-Desserts,Z2-Vegetarian
We have to thank Dieter Claire for inventing this recipe. She modified the fruit parfait recipe and developed a strawberry "ice cream" recipe and this recipe with frozen mandarin oranges. She says, “it’s like an orange creamsicle.” YUM!
Chicken and Green Chiles Casserole
This chicken casserole will remind you of chilies Rellenos. If you like those you’ll be a big fan of this low-carb dish. Simple to put together and toss in the oven. And Voila! Dinner. I serve with slices of avocado on the side dusted with a bit of grated sea salt.
Roasted Butternut Squash, Egg and Cheese Casserole
This recipe is for all the vegetarians out there. Thank you dieter Nancy for this photo. For you non-vegetarians this makes a great side dish to go along with a grilled meat. We had this last night with grilled Andouille sausage and had a lovely meal.
Chili Con Carne
Z2-Entrees,ZSpecialties,Z2-Beef,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Soup,ZS-Zola to Go
This is a meaty chili with some veggies tossed in for crunch factor. Makes a satisfying lunch.
Shrimp and “Grits”
My husband loves shrimp and grits. His mother was from Arkansas and they ate grits often. Trouble is grits are very high carb. Traditional grits are made from cornmeal. I took an inspiration recipe and came up with my own version of shrimp and grits. There is just enough corn in here to help you get the corn flavor without the cornmeal. And there’s enough cheese in here that even though you’ll be using almond meal (aka almond flour) for your grits base, you won’t taste the almond.
BBQ Bean Hash
Z3.5-Beef,Z3.5-Entrees,Z3.5-Sides
When I was a kid my father traveled a lot. When he was gone, sometimes my mom would let us just fry up some hamburger meat and add a can of Campbell’s baked beans. We called it bean hash. I loved it.
Creamy Tomato Shrimp Chowder
Talk about easy to make. This dish is done in a flash. If you’re like me, you’ll make a triple batch of the tomato base. You can freeze the portions.
Shrimp and Mushroom Casserole
This is elegant comfort food. It’s sort of like the American version of the French dish called Coquille St. Jacque.
Lockdown Chili (Z3.5 Version)
I thought – what better time to have a spicy chili than when I am in lockdown, practicing social distancing.
Cooked Cabbage Salad
Z2-Beef,Z2-Salads,ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees,ZS-Zola to Go
This recipe is compliments of Dieter Rose. Rose loves cooked cabbage and this does the trick for her. You can take this to work cold and reheat in the microwave too.
Green Bean Casserole
Z3-Vegetarian,ZSpecialties,Z3-Sides,ZS-Zola to Go,ZS-Holiday
Just like the one your mom made, only healthier. Everyone loves the green bean casserole. Here I'll show you one one that doesn't take much longer to make and it’s real food, not processed!
Sloppy Joes
You could call this the “adult version” of Sloppy Joes. It does have some ZIP to it. Don’t be intimidated by the length of the ingredients list. The recipe is worth it. And you probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry.
Roasted Cream of Asparagus Soup
It may not feel like it here in Chicago, but spring and asparagus season are just around the corner. Gear up with this flavorful soup.
Mexican Avocado Soup with Chicken or Turkey
Z3-Soups & Stews,ZSpecialties,Z3-Entrees,Z3-Poultry,ZS-Holiday
I love this soup. You can make this with leftover turkey and have a colorful way to use your extras.
Chimichanga Casserole
When I was young I loved going to Chi Chi’s and ordering the chimichanga. Now that I know all the carbs from the tortilla it was wrapped in are a bad idea, I decided to make a lower carb casserole version.
Creole Meatloaf
Z2-Beef,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Entrees,ZSpecialties
This is a wonderfully moist meatloaf. It has a kick from the Cajun spices but not all that much and you can adjust according to taste. This transports well to work.
Quick Coquilles St. Jacques (Scallops in a Creamy Mushroom-Parmesan Sauce)
I remember my first introduction to scallops like it was yesterday. As I took my first bite and swooned I knew these were to become a new favorite.
Cabbage Rolls
We were really happy with the way it turned out and I think you could adjust the seasonings to your own taste if you want more garlic or more salt, etc.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Z3-Appetizers & Snacks,ZSpecialties,ZS-5 Ingredients or Less,ZS-Holiday
In addition to being crunchy, satisfying and delicious, pumpkin seeds are a nutritious snack. You can buy shelled pumpkin seeds in the grocery store (also know as pepitas), but when pumpkin season rolls around, you can buy a fresh pumpkin, scrape out the seeds, and toast the whole seeds yourself. YUM!
Baked Chicken with Shiitake Mushroom Sauce
If we had a gourmet comfort food category this recipe would be the first one. Its easy to make, very satisfying, and tastes delicious. A great meal for a rainy day.
Potatoes Brabant (Zola Style)
I don’t eat potatoes very often but these are worth the splurge a few times a year. The yellow potatoes they are made from in my recipe are lower in carbohydrates than a Russet potato, so that’s a bonus, too.
My Mother’s Apple Crisp
Z3.5-Desserts,ZS-Zola to Go,ZSpecialties
There’s something about the potential of smelling apples baking with cinnamon and nutmeg that conjures up fond memories of my mother in the kitchen. She taught me as a small girl to make apple crisp so I did it often. This also makes a wonderful little breakfast the next day.
Zola Lasagna
What makes this Zola lasagna is a reasonable amount of pasta. Most lasagna recipes run at least 3 or 4 layers of noodles. This one has 2. And I promise, you won’t miss the other two layers.
Tomato Shrimp Chowder
Talk about easy to make. This dish is done in a flash. If you’re like me, you’ll make a triple batch of the tomato base. You can freeze the portions.
Italian Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot
This is a great crock pot recipe. Super simple but really tasty.
Beef Stroganoff
You can have your stroganoff and eat it too! Most stroganoff recipes are served over rice or a big pile of noodles. You don’t have to do that. You have other choices.
Southern Tomato Pie
Z3.5-Sides,ZSpecialties,Z3.5-Appetizers,Z3.5-Vegetarian,ZS-Holiday
Two things I love about living mid-South: fried green tomatoes, and tomato pie.
Beef Over Noodles
Our Plan Z “cafeteria” smelled just like Grandma’s house today. This beef over noodles recipe is a hit. Serve this when you have family around at holidays or other times when there’s a crowd.
Chicken Chili Enchilada Casserole
This casserole tastes just like a zippy chicken enchilada without the major carbohydrate intake.
Chili with Beans
This is a simple chili. It’s a takeoff from an old Betty Crocker recipe. Can’t get much simpler than that!
Cincinnati Chili (EASY)
Z3-Beef,Z3-Soups & Stews,Z3.5-Beef,Z3.5-Soups & Stews
This is a famous chili that probably should not even be called a chili. It was invented by two brothers who emigrated from Europe in the 1920’s. Of course, they lived in Cincinnati. When finished this will look sort of like chili but it’s served on spaghetti. There are no beans and it’s not spicy. It’s flavorful for sure, but not “hot.” Don’t let the list of ingredients throw you off.
Strawberry “Almost Ice Cream”
Z2-Beverages,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Vegetarian,Z2-Desserts,ZSpecialties
Dieter Claire invented this recipe by modifying the fruit parfait recipe and adding extra frozen strawberries. She says, "it's as close to ice cream as you can get." We agree.
Pumpkin Mousse
Z3-Desserts,ZSpecialties,ZS-Holiday
Light and dreamy. If you like pumpkin you’ll love this smooth and easy dessert.
Seared and Baked Pork Chops
This is an easy preparation with a homey vibe, when you want comfort food this is a sure bet.
Shrimp Scampi (ZReboot 3.5 Version)
This is a classic Italian dish. The one you order at Olive Garden will have WAY more pasta than this dish will have. That’s okay. The shrimp are the real star of this dish. Plus, you’ll be better off without all that starch.
French Chicken with Lemon-Tarragon Cream Sauce
Z2-Entrees,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Poultry,ZSpecialties
A delightful chicken dish that tastes very French. This is super easy to make and dieters are enjoying it all over the country.
Chili
Z2-Beef,ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees,ZS-Zola to Go
This is a great comfort food. Make a big pot and pack it up for lunches on future days for a nice hot meal on a cold day.
Corn Dip
I came up with this recipe at the end of summer. I took what I call an “inspiration” recipe and Zolified it so we can enjoy it. It’s really tasty.
Instant Pot Corned Beef
When you buy corned beef, there is a little packet of corned beef spices that accompanies the brisket. The secret is to use that and ADD your own corned beef spices to the mix -- after you toast them.
Cheesy Turkey Noodle Casserole
This dish can be made with chicken or is a perfect way to use up leftover turkey from the holidays.
Caramelized Pears (ZReboot Version)
ZSpecialties,Z3-Desserts,ZS-5 Ingredients or Less
A no sugar variation of my caramelized pears recipe. Still very yummy!


















































