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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.
Strawberry “Almost Ice Cream”
ZSpecialties,Z2-Beverages,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Vegetarian,Z2-Desserts
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.
Onion Chicken and Homemade Applesauce
"My mom wasn’t a cook which I think I’ve told you, so when she made pork chops she would put them in a dish, pour French onion soup (Campbell’s from a can) over them and serve it with applesauce.
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!
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
You know how you can eat mac and cheese and not even use your teeth? This had the same result. BIG YUM!
Healthy Orange Creamsicle
Z2-Vegetarian,ZS-Dieter Favorites,ZSpecialties,Z2-Desserts
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!
Roasted Lemon Chicken
ZS-Dieter Favorites,ZSpecialties,Z2-Poultry,ZS-5 Ingredients or Less,ZS-Holiday
When you are in the ZReduction portion of Plan Z you will not be eating the skin of the chicken or any of the dark meat. Breast meat only.
Chicken Pot Pie Bake (for Turkey leftovers, too!)
ZS-Holiday,Z3-Poultry,ZSpecialties,ZS-Zola to Go,Z3-Entrees
The inside of this pie bake tastes just like Midwest comfort food. You won't even notice the potatoes are missing. It has just enough carrots to remind you how sweet they are. Same for the peas. The onion, celery and the mushrooms give it the depth of flavor you'll remember from childhood. The topping isn't your average pie crust. This one is low carb. So it's not like a biscuit either. I'm still trying to perfect low carb biscuits, so this is sort of a cross-breed.
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.
My Mother’s Apple Crisp
ZSpecialties,Z3.5-Desserts,ZS-Zola to Go
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.
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.
Easy Enchiladas
This dish comes together in a flash. If you are doing beef enchiladas, I recommend red sauce. If you are doing chicken, I recommend you go wild and use a green sauce.
Mexican Chicken Stew
ZSpecialties,Z2-Poultry,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Entrees,ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Soup
This is a great Zola to Go! dish, perfect for those cold days for lunch.
Creamy Leek Pie
ZS-Zola to Go,Z3-Sides,Z3-Vegetarian,ZSpecialties,Z3-Entrees
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.
Chef Jernard’s Holiday Collard Greens
Z3-Soups & Stews,Z3-Sides,Z3-Pork
Celebrity Chef Jernard Wells knows soul food. While a lot of his food is quite decadent, he also loves greens, and shared his wonderful southern greens recipe in a local interview. What's great about it is it can easily be modified to fit ZReboot. His original recipe calls for sugar, but by replacing the sugar with your favorite sugar substitute, you can still enjoy this delicious recipe.
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.
Caramelized Pears (ZReboot Version)
ZS-5 Ingredients or Less,ZSpecialties,Z3-Desserts
A no sugar variation of my caramelized pears recipe. Still very yummy!
Roasted Tomato Sauce
Z2-Vegetarian,Z2-Sauces & Dressings
You’ll think you’re eating at an Italian Grandma’s house when you taste this.
Creamed Orzo with Leeks and Parmesan
ZSpecialties,Z3.5-Entrees,Z3.5-Vegetarian,ZS-Holiday,Z3.5-Sides
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!
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.
Cincinnati Chili (EASY)
Z3.5-Soups & Stews,Z3-Beef,Z3-Soups & Stews,Z3.5-Beef
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.
Zucchini Lasagna
ZSpecialties,Z3-Entrees,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z3-Beef
This lasagna has no noodles. Standing in for the noodle layers are zucchini sliced the long way.
Salmon Casserole
With this recipe, I’ve included about 25% of the pasta that would be in most similar recipes. That’s a big secret. Just cut it back. You won’t miss it. This casserole focuses on the veggies, the protein and the sauce.
Chicken Mamou
One of my favorite Cajun meals is chicken mamou. Mamou in Creole is basically grandma. So this is “grandma('s) chicken.”
Summer Veggie Casserole with Pepperoni
This dish is easy to put together. The spouse or the kids can help chop and it comes together fast. You can be doing other things while your dinner bakes in the oven. Makes great leftovers, too.
Southern Tomato Pie
Z3.5-Vegetarian,ZS-Holiday,Z3.5-Sides,ZSpecialties,Z3.5-Appetizers
Two things I love about living mid-South: fried green tomatoes, and tomato pie.
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.
Famous Burger Meatloaf
ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Entrees,ZSpecialties,Z2-Beef
This is a “Whopper” of a meatloaf, designed to taste like the famous burger. I hope you enjoy.
Apple Crisp
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.
Chicken Alfredo with “Almost Noodles”
This dish comes together in a flash! You can also make it with steak or even seafood. When I get a hankering for pasta, I crave Chicken Alfredo. This one did it for me!
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.
Cooked Cabbage Salad
ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Beef,Z2-Salads,ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees
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.
Beef Taco Soup (EASY)
What’s the difference between chili and taco soup? Broth, of course. There is more broth in taco soup is more so it’s thinner than chili. The internet tells me that chili is technically considered a stew. Go figure.
Chunky Chicken Chili
ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Poultry,ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees,Z2-Soup
We made this during a snow storm, the taste took off the chill of the day.
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.
Mushroom-Bacon Soup
I had a hankering for bacon. My husband wanted mushroom soup. And this recipe was born.
Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
When you get into the second portion of ZReboot you can start to experiment with a little more carbohydrates. Try this at week 4 – 6 of ZReboot and see how you do.
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.
Breaking Thanksgiving Tradition
ZS-Holiday,Featured Posts,ZSpecialties
Everyone has their Thanksgiving traditions; especially when it comes to food. Do you ever think about breaking tradition and making something different?
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.
Italian Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot
This is a great crock pot recipe. Super simple but really tasty.
Lockdown Chili (Z2 Version)
ZSpecialties,ZS-Dieter Favorites,ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Beef
What better time to have a spicy chili than when I am in lockdown, practicing social distancing.
Seafood Chowder
This is not the usual, thick, gloppy chowder since you are on ZReduction, but it will pass as a fancy, flavorful meal.
Chicken Chili Enchilada Casserole
This casserole tastes just like a zippy chicken enchilada without the major carbohydrate intake.
Baked Pasta with Sausage, Tomatoes and Mushrooms
This dish can be made a day ahead and reheated.
Chili Con Carne
ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Entrees,ZSpecialties,Z2-Beef,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Soup
This is a meaty chili with some veggies tossed in for crunch factor. Makes a satisfying lunch.


















































