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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
ZSpecialties,ZS-5 Ingredients or Less,ZS-Holiday,Z3-Appetizers & Snacks
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!
Dieter Angela’s Ground Turkey “Meatzza” Crust
ZSpecialties,Z3-Pork,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z3-Poultry
Angela says, "I love pizza, so I was looking for alternatives. I was disappointed to find cauliflower crust is not much lower in carbs than a traditional pizza crust. I came across that recipe for a meatzza crust and was pleasantly surprised. It satisfied my pizza craving, and I could have a slice of pizza without needing a fork! For those pizza cravings, here’s a recipe for a meatzza crust."
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.
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.
Chicken “Chimichangas”
ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z3.5-Poultry,ZSpecialties
At first you’d think chimichangas would be high carb. The good news is they have low carb tortillas at the grocery store that taste the same as the traditional. Look for the low carb versions.
Chili
ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees,ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Beef
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.
Beef & Vegetable Stew
This stew will contain your meat and vegetable portion, serve with salad greens for a complete meal.
Italian Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot
This is a great crock pot recipe. Super simple but really tasty.
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 Basil Soup
ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Soup,ZSpecialties,ZS-Dieter Favorites
Tomato basil soup is very easy to make. It comes together in a flash. The addition of cooked chicken elevates it to a one bowl meal.
Mushroom-Bacon Soup
I had a hankering for bacon. My husband wanted mushroom soup. And this recipe was born.
Butternut Squash Casserole
Z3-Entrees,Z3-Sides,Z3-Vegetarian
Serve this at your next family event instead of potatoes and you’ll save 30% of the carbs.
Can be a vegetarian entrée or a side dish. SUPER Yummy because as the squash bakes it becomes sweet.
Chunky Chicken Chili
ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees,Z2-Soup,ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Poultry
We made this during a snow storm, the taste took off the chill of the day.
Cheesy Turkey Noodle Casserole
This dish can be made with chicken or is a perfect way to use up leftover turkey from the holidays.
Creole Meatloaf
Z2-Entrees,ZSpecialties,Z2-Beef,ZS-Dieter Favorites
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.
Outlaw Chili Verde
Z2-Soup,ZSpecialties,Z2-Pork,ZS-Holiday
This award-winning chili recipe won best Verde Chili by the International Chili Society in 2018. "Texas Chuck," the creator of this awesome recipe, made this chili using Mild Bills Spices (in case you're trying to get his authentic flavor).
Famous Burger Meatloaf
ZSpecialties,Z2-Beef,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Entrees
This is a “Whopper” of a meatloaf, designed to taste like the famous burger. I hope you enjoy.
Shallot Onion Rings
Z2-Sides,Z2-Appetizers & Snacks,Z2-Vegetarian
My husband loves these so much he asks for them probably 4 times a week and has even begun making them himself! They taste every bit as good as regular onion rings without the breading.
Strawberry “Almost Ice Cream”
Z2-Vegetarian,Z2-Desserts,ZSpecialties,Z2-Beverages,ZS-Dieter Favorites
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.
Authentic Italian Meatballs
ZSpecialties,Z3-Entrees,Z3-Beef,ZS-Zola to Go
These meatballs are my take on an authentic meatball recipe from New York city. These actually have a cheesy element to them that make them super yummy. BIG YUM!
Butternut Squash Puree by Chef Josh
ZS-Holiday,Z3.5-Vegetarian,ZSpecialties,ZS-5 Ingredients or Less,Z3.5-Sides
Cooking does not have to be complicated. In this recipe Chef Josh shows us how to make a simple and delicious puree using butternut squash. Easy. Decadent. Delicious.
Cheeseburger Casserole
I found this recipe online. I didn’t have to do much to make it Zola. It tastes very much like a cheeseburger. The way to make it exciting though is to make sure you pile on the toppings that you like on your burger. You can feed the whole family with this and no one will miss the bun.
Chicken Mamou
One of my favorite Cajun meals is chicken mamou. Mamou in Creole is basically grandma. So this is “grandma('s) chicken.”
Sunday Chicken
Pierre Franey was a cooking hero of mine. He was the original “60 Minute Gourmet.” I adapted this recipe from one of his and turned it into a wonderful diet meal.
Creamed Orzo with Leeks and Parmesan
ZS-Holiday,Z3.5-Sides,ZSpecialties,Z3.5-Entrees,Z3.5-Vegetarian
Orzo is a wonderful, tiny pasta. This is the most requested side dish recipe I get from dinner guests–but watch your portion size. Enjoy!
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.
Creamy, Cheesy, Garlicky Shrimp
This dish tastes very much like Shrimp Scampi that you might order in an Italian restaurant. The addition of cheese takes it over the top in terms of BIG YUM.
Braised Red Cabbage
For all you cabbage lovers out there, this recipe is a ZReduction take on a German classic. While you can whip this dish up in about 30 minutes, red cabbage tastes sweeter the longer you cook it -- so if you are on ZReduction and like your cabbage a little sweeter, cook it low and slow until the flavors mellow and meld to your liking.
Warm Apple Dessert (Compote)
This tastes amazingly like gooey apple pie! This is delightful. Just like Grandma used to make.
Mexican Avocado Soup with Chicken or Turkey
ZSpecialties,Z3-Entrees,Z3-Poultry,ZS-Holiday,Z3-Soups & Stews
I love this soup. You can make this with leftover turkey and have a colorful way to use your extras.
Caramelized Pears (ZReboot 3.5 Version)
ZSpecialties,Z3.5-Desserts,ZS-5 Ingredients or Less
Chris’s cousins sent us a HUGE box of fruit as his get well wish. There are only two of us, so in order to use the fruit I have had to get creative! Oh, my, these are yummy!
BBQ Bean Hash
Z3.5-Entrees,Z3.5-Sides,Z3.5-Beef
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.
Lockdown Chili (Z2 Version)
ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Beef,ZSpecialties,ZS-Dieter Favorites
What better time to have a spicy chili than when I am in lockdown, practicing social distancing.
Seared and Baked Pork Chops
This is an easy preparation with a homey vibe, when you want comfort food this is a sure bet.
Breaking Thanksgiving Tradition
ZSpecialties,ZS-Holiday,Featured Posts
Everyone has their Thanksgiving traditions; especially when it comes to food. Do you ever think about breaking tradition and making something different?
Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage “Stew”
I’ll admit it. I found this inspiration recipe online. I did not have to change it up much to Zola-fy it..it is soooo good!
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.
American Amatriciana
Amatriciana is an Italian dish. Simple and traditional. I am calling this American Amatriciana because the Italian version is made with guanciale or pancetta. I make mine with good ole’ American bacon. This is one of my husband’s favorite dishes. I hope you love it too.
Chili #4
ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees,Z2-Beef,ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Soup
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.
French Chicken with Lemon-Tarragon Cream Sauce
ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Poultry,ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees
A delightful chicken dish that tastes very French. This is super easy to make and dieters are enjoying it all over the country.
Cooked Cabbage Salad
ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees,ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Beef,Z2-Salads
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.
Southern Tomato Pie
ZSpecialties,Z3.5-Appetizers,Z3.5-Vegetarian,ZS-Holiday,Z3.5-Sides
Two things I love about living mid-South: fried green tomatoes, and tomato pie.
Mexican Chicken Stew
Z2-Entrees,ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Soup,ZSpecialties,Z2-Poultry,ZS-Dieter Favorites
This is a great Zola to Go! dish, perfect for those cold days for lunch.
Frito Meatloaf
ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Beef,ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees
This meatloaf makes six servings. When you serve it, remember that your crunch item is already included, so no breadstick or crackers with this meal.


















































