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Caramelized Pears (ZReboot Version)
ZSpecialties,Z3-Desserts,ZS-5 Ingredients or Less
A no sugar variation of my caramelized pears recipe. Still very yummy!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Beefy Pasta Casserole
ZSpecialties,Z3.5-Beef,ZS-Zola to Go,Z3.5-Entrees
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.
Italian Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot
This is a great crock pot recipe. Super simple but really tasty.
Seafood Crepes
These crepes are very low carb and EASY to make. You can even make them ahead and store them in the refrigerator or freeze them. I made them at the same time I was working on my seafood and sauce for the stuffed crepes but if you’re not that coordinated in the kitchen, you can make the crepes first and just store them. You do have to keep a close eye on the crepes as they cook. Don’t get distracted. It’s much less stressful to make the crepes and then make the sauce. Both come together really fast so you’ll be out of the kitchen in a jiffy anyway.
My Mother’s Apple Crisp
ZS-Zola to Go,ZSpecialties,Z3.5-Desserts
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.
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.
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.
Warm Apple Dessert (Compote)
This tastes amazingly like gooey apple pie! This is delightful. Just like Grandma used to make.
Seafood Chowder
This is not the usual, thick, gloppy chowder since you are on ZReduction, but it will pass as a fancy, flavorful meal.
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).
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.
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.
Pumpkin Mousse
Z3-Desserts,ZSpecialties,ZS-Holiday
Light and dreamy. If you like pumpkin you’ll love this smooth and easy dessert.
Cincinnati Chili (EASY)
Z3-Soups & Stews,Z3.5-Beef,Z3.5-Soups & Stews,Z3-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.
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.
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.
Angela’s Shortcut Ratatouille
Z2-Vegetarian,ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Entrees,ZSpecialties
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.
Lobster Thermidor
Lobster thermidor is a classic dish. It’s decadent because of the cost of the lobster but it also has one of the dreamiest sauces you can possibly imagine.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chicken Scallopini
ZSpecialties,Z3-Poultry,ZS-Dieter Favorites
A traditional Italian meal made the Plan Z way. My husband declared this one of his favorite meals of the year.
Roasted Lemon Chicken
ZS-5 Ingredients or Less,ZS-Holiday,ZS-Dieter Favorites,ZSpecialties,Z2-Poultry
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.
Shrimp Cocktail Chowder
Talk about easy to make. This soup is done in a flash. If you’re like me you’ll make a triple batch. You can freeze the portions and just add shrimp bits when you go to serve it.
Hot Brown Open-faced Sandwich
This is fast to make and is a wonderful comfort food addition to your recipes.
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.
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Dieter Jessica made this meal on one of her first days of ZReduction. It was so delicious she wanted to share it with everyone.
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.
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.
Creole Meatloaf
ZS-Dieter Favorites,Z2-Entrees,ZSpecialties,Z2-Beef
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.
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.
Basil Cream Chicken
I adapted this dish from one I saw in a recipe site. I had to change it quite a bit to “Zola-fy” it but it was just so decadent and creamy I had to share.
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.
Seared and Baked Pork Chops
This is an easy preparation with a homey vibe, when you want comfort food this is a sure bet.
Curried Asparagus Soup
Serve in soup bowls with a protein of choice. In Z2 this is your veggie portion. You can have plain salad greens on the side if you need more. It’s very filling though.
Roasted Fennel
Z2-Vegetarian,ZSpecialties,Z2-Sides,ZS-5 Ingredients or Less
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.
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.
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.
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.