Zola-fied Berghoff Spinach

The Berghoff is a famous Chicago restaurant. Their creamed spinach is an institution in itself. This is my ZReduction version.

Green Bean Casserole

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!

Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip

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.

Colorful Peppers with Zip

Things like peppers are popular at Italian little plates restaurants. I’m offering you a recipe for mine here. Mine have a bit of an after-burner kick to them.

Balsamic-Roasted Exotic Mushrooms with a White Truffle Olive Oil Glaze

I ordered this dish at a restaurant in town. It was so good I said, “I have to figure out how to make this myself!” It was that wonderful.

Dauphinoise Potatoes (aka Potato Gratin)

This is a wonderful potato casserole from the southeast part of France. Works great on a buffet too if you like room temp potatoes or have a chafing dish. For the LOWEST glycemic index, make this dish the day before you serve it.

Crustless Quiche and Variations

This is not a “thick” quiche so you get to have a bigger piece. I made it a thin version so it cooks faster because no one wants to wait long for breakfast!

Veggie Stir Fry (EASY)

This colorful dish is super simple to make. You can include whatever assortment of veggies you like. I’ll give you a list of suggested options. You can serve this with something cooked on the grill; chicken, fish, or even steak.

Creamy Leek and Onion Casserole

This is a decadent side dish. When I serve it, people at the table often ask me why this tastes so unique, so we play “guess the secret ingredient”…. Answer is the nutmeg. This dish goes well at dinner parties and holiday celebrations. It makes a perfect side dish for your upcoming holiday dinner.

Brussels Sprouts with a Balsamic Drizzle

This is such a versatile side dish it goes well with any type of protein.

Caramelized Leek Mashed Potatoes

These have been the most popular mashed potatoes at my table. People don't often remark about the mashed potatoes. They usually save the raves for dessert. This potato dish is a major hit.

Roasted Fennel

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.  

Dieter Brenda’s Sautéed Cabbage

Cabbage is one of the foods that's unlimited on ZReduction, so it's the perfect food to nosh on when you're hungry between meals. Dieter Brenda sent us this versatile cabbage recipe, and it's scrumptious. Eat it with dinner, or as a snack. Or, add a sliced onion and use it as a substitution for noodles that’s healthy and delicious. Or, try adding chicken broth and your favorite seasoning to turn this a brothy side or a simple soup.

Air Fryer Green Beans

Dieter Debbie has mastered air fried veggies on ZReduction, and shared this with the Plan Z Facebook group. It's simple, and delicious and can be ready in a jiffy. We're posting it here for everyone to enjoy. Thank you, Debbie!

Angela’s Shortcut Ratatouille

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.

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.

Healthy Orange Creamsicle

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!

Southern Tomato Pie

Two things I love about living mid-South: fried green tomatoes, and tomato pie.

Strawberry “Almost Ice Cream”

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.

Blistered Tomatoes

Sometimes the simplest things are the best. I am offering up two options for grilled veggies.

Egg Drop Soup

This soup is a staple at Chinese restaurants. It is filling, delicate and delicious. Unfortunately, one of the ingredients in most restaurant egg drop soup recipes is MSG. The recipe below is an MSG-free version of the traditional classic, so it won't taste exactly the same, but we think it's just as delicious.

Roasted Carrots

Roast carrots are easy to make and taste good every time. If you can splurge on fresh herbs, it will be well worth it. 

Lois’ Tomato Cucumber Herb Salad

When brainstorming veggie ideas in the Plan Z Facebook group, dieter Lois shared this salad recipe. We tried it, and it's delicious.

Green Apple Protein Smoothie

I am a HUGE fan of Collagen Protein so that’s what’s in here that will keep you full and focused until your next meal. 

Sesame Kale

This recipe was submitted by Plan Z coach, Pearl. She loves kale and makes this recipe often.

Waldorf Salad

A traditional Waldorf salad has grapes or raisins and lots of walnuts -- but it doesn’t have to. This one worked great as a side dish. Be sure to cut your fruit portion for this meal in half.

Veggie Tart

This makes a lovely lunch or dinner with a salad on the side. Tastes very French or Italian. Vegetarians who eat dairy will love it. This can also be served as a side dish with grilled meat. It really does stand well on its own though.

Juicy Tomato Pesto Tart

I used big, ruby red and ripe tomatoes to make this. I cut the slices fairly thick too. That contributes to the juiciness. This is a perfect light dinner or lunch. I also added oven-cooked bacon as a protein side dish. A bit of extra bacon was also kept to be diced into bacon bits for the leftovers. Those we sprinkled on top. All magic!

Oven Roasted Okra

This delicious recipe was submitted by dieter Nicole. She served it with pork chops and roasted tomatoes. Thanks, Nicole for the inspired dish!

Roasted Tomato Sauce

You’ll think you’re eating at an Italian Grandma’s house when you taste this.

Creamy Ravioli

This whole dinner comes together in about 15 minutes. There are just days when you can’t make everything from scratch. You need something you can get on the dinner table quickly.

Air Fryer Crispy Tofu

Dieter Claire brings us this fabulous recipe for air-fried tofu and veggies. She took the Plan Z General Tso recipe’s sauce and combined them to make a mighty tasty dish. Thank you, Claire!

Grilled Eggplant

I have decided the grilled Chinese eggplant tastes better than potato chips! Even better than French fries! And it’s so easy.

Creamed Orzo with Leeks and Parmesan

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!

Sun Dried Tomatoes

No need to salt them. No need to season them. They will be delicious and have PLENTY of flavor. 

Cauliflower Pancakes

The other day, potato pancakes came to mind and I they could probably be made with cauliflower. Turns out they can!

Puff Pastry Quiche

I serve this with a side of crispy, oven bacon. LOVE it for brunch or even dinner. It’s easy to assemble and comes out of the oven in short order

Caramelized Onion Pie

Caramelizing onions makes the natural sugars in the onion come to the forefront. No more bold onion taste. Just dreamy flavor.

Exotic Egg Salad

This is great as a light lunch time meal and a great holiday recipe. The juxtaposition of the sweeter apricots with the curry has the exotic taste I was looking for.

Cream of Mushroom Soup

A rich and easy cream of mushroom soup.

Peanut Butter Craisin Granola

Craving breakfast cereal? Try this instead! Have it with unsweetened coconut milk or as a YUMMY parfait.

Sweet and Spicy Acorn Squash

I love my acorn squash roasted with just butter in the center and a sprinkle of sea salt and pepper. But I know tons of people want brown sugar in the middle and more. So this version can satisfy the sweet tooth and add an optional spice/heat factor.

Cheesy Hash Browns with Sour Cream

This is perfect for a buffet table. Everyone will rave about your contribution. If you want to keep the portions lower, consider serving this with a smaller spoon.

Pumpkin Pancakes with Pumpkin Spiced Whipped Cream

Hot off the Griddle. “Zolafied” pancakes. If you want your kids full and focused before school give them these instead of cereal.

Butternut Squash Puree by Chef Josh

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.

Sea Salt Crusted Snap Peas

A variation of my sea salt crusted snow peas recipe - but with snap peas!

Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

This simple salad can be prepared in minutes and offers a light flavor, a bright bowl full of color and cool crunch on a warm day!

Grilled Eggplant Parmesan

A nice, summery meal that can also be eaten in cooler months. You can make this in a grill pan or on an outdoor grill.  This is much lighter and lower carb than the breaded and fried version.

Russian Traditional Salad

This delicious recipe was submitted by Plan Z dieter Bruce. Bruce says, "We saw this sixteen years ago on a trip to visit our daughter in-law. They keep it from day to day and just add to it when more is needed."

Italian Green Bean Salad

This is a fun, colorful side dish to a plain piece of meat. This goes together so fast! You can even make it in the morning and finish assembly just before dinner.