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Roasted Fennel
ZS-5 Ingredients or Less,Z2-Vegetarian,ZSpecialties,Z2-Sides
Fennel has a distinct flavor, but when it's roasted, the flavor mellows. If you like fennel, this recipe is great, and it's very easy to make.
Italian Sausage Tart
This meal is good for breakfast, lunch or dinner. With a side salad it makes a nice brunch offering too!
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.
Hot Brown Open-faced Sandwich
This is fast to make and is a wonderful comfort food addition to your recipes.
Burger and Egg
It’s all the rage in the big city. Have a runny egg on top of your burger. Well, you can do that in ZReduction too! I just ate mine and I’m stuffed!
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
ZS-Holiday,Z3-Appetizers & Snacks,ZSpecialties,ZS-5 Ingredients or Less
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!
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.
Angela’s Shortcut Ratatouille
ZSpecialties,Z2-Vegetarian,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Entrees
When you need some serious cold weather comfort food, ratatouille hits the spot. This shortcut ratatouille-inspired recipe was submitted by dieter Angela. She Zolafied the original recipe and created a delicious ZReduction veggie sauté that can be made in less than half the time of a traditional ratatouille.
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.
Chicken Scallopini
ZS-Dieter Favorites,ZSpecialties,Z3-Poultry
A traditional Italian meal made the Plan Z way. My husband declared this one of his favorite meals of the year.
Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip
ZSpecialties,Z3-Vegetarian,ZS-Holiday,Z3-Appetizers & Snacks
Talk about comfort food. This is the pure definition. Thankfully fat doesn’t make you fat so you can eat this at parties and not feel the guilt.
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.
Butternut Squash Casserole
Z3-Sides,Z3-Vegetarian,Z3-Entrees
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.
Outlaw Chili Verde
Z2-Pork,ZS-Holiday,Z2-Soup,ZSpecialties
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).
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.
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.
Chili #4
ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Soup,ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees,Z2-Beef
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.
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
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?
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.
Lockdown Chili (Z3.5 Version)
I thought – what better time to have a spicy chili than when I am in lockdown, practicing social distancing.
Buttered Mushrooms
ZSpecialties,ZS-5 Ingredients or Less,Z3-Sides,Z3-Vegetarian
Dieter Rebecca first had this warm and rustic side dish while in Ireland on a road trip in 1994. These mushrooms where in every Irish B&B Dieter Rebecca visited. She loved the recipe so much she recreated it for Plan Z! Hope you enjoy.
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.
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!
Caramelized Pears (ZReboot Version)
ZS-5 Ingredients or Less,ZSpecialties,Z3-Desserts
A no sugar variation of my caramelized pears recipe. Still very yummy!
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.
Turkey Fricassee
ZSpecialties,ZS-Holiday,Z3-Entrees,Z3-Poultry
I love to take the leftover turkey and transform it into something different. French comfort food. BIG YUM.
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.
Pumpkin or Sweet Potato Bread
Everyone loves pumpkin, right? Well, how about a tea bread that’s made with pumpkin? Sort of like banana bread. Or even make it with sweet potato puree.
Chili
ZS-Zola to Go,Z2-Beef,ZSpecialties,Z2-Entrees
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.
Italian Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot
This is a great crock pot recipe. Super simple but really tasty.
Taco Casserole
This is a throw it together FAST meal for any weeknight. It is not a spicy dish but you can if you wish, add hot sauce at the table for a little extra zing.
Cheesy Turkey Noodle Casserole
This dish can be made with chicken or is a perfect way to use up leftover turkey from the holidays.
Turkey Meatball, Sweet Potato, and Kale Soup
Z3-Poultry,Z3-Entrees,Z3-Soups & Stews
With the winter months peeking over our shoulder this hearty soup will shake off the chill while the leaves are still falling. ZTeam coach Grace made this at home and enjoyed it so much she wanted to share it with the Plan Z community!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Beefy Pasta Casserole
ZS-Zola to Go,Z3.5-Entrees,ZSpecialties,Z3.5-Beef
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.
Dieter Angela’s Ground Turkey “Meatzza” Crust
ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z3-Poultry,ZSpecialties,Z3-Pork
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."
Hot Wing Dip
Z3-Poultry,ZS-Holiday,Z3-Appetizers & Snacks,ZSpecialties,ZS-Dieter Favorites
Most folks think of chicken wings as being a guy thing and even a sport fan thing but anyone can love this dip! I served it as a breakfast buffet item and it was hands down the dish that got the most comments and compliments. I think it was because it was so unexpected. The comments came from men and women alike but I must admit the guys were the ones who went gaga over this.
Chicken “Chimichangas”
ZSpecialties,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z3.5-Poultry
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.


















































